Welcome to the Wakefield Doctrine (the theory of clarks, scotts and rogers)
This is the Six Sentence Story.
Hosted by Denise this bloghop is distinguished by its insistence that all stories be of six and only six sentences in length.
You should try it… its like homework in your favorite subject when you have a solid A from the start… you know, fun!
This week we continue the Ian Devereaux mystery serial, ‘The Case of the Missing Fig Leaf‘.
This week’s prompt word is
USEFUL
With the top down, Lacey Whitelaw felt the morning-chilled wind tug at her hair like a schoolyard full of invisible seven-year-old boys; behind the wheel of the late model Porsche, her former faculty advisor, current wanderjahr guide and future cautionary tale, drove with a studied concentration intended to leave no doubt that the car was a reflection of personal traits.
“We have ten minutes to get to Eibigen Abby,” as if to provide a visual aid, the road crested and, in the distance, clutching the rolling pastureland like a hornet’s nest of brick and half-digested souls, their destination; “Do not speak unless spoken to and watch me, these people are lethal if they feel threatened,” Elias Thunberg looked at his former grad student with what he thought was endearing affection; Lacey was coming to appreciate that condescension mixed well with lust.
“My former husband, Elias,” Leanne paused to smile into the bone china cup as if approving of the future arrayed at the bottom of the mist-covered amber fluid, “Is a guy’s guy, to borrow some slang, he’s a multi-doctorate ‘bro”; that my breakfast companion would be as challenging (and demanding) a client as she was a bedmate, was useful in convincing myself to refrain from interrupting her story.
The postmaster stared at the girl trying to complete the overnight delivery shipping label, the ferocity in her eyes was offset by fresh bruises on her upper arms; with eyebrows raised in a mute signal of being a non-combatant, he gently took the pen, Lacey whispered in gratitude, “Dr. Leanne Thunberg… Radcliffe University”; tearing off the Senders Copy, he looked up and said, “Here is your…” the words fell to the floor of the empty lobby.
“We both joined the faculty at the same time, he became department chair before I received tenure; despite his brilliance he fell into the oldest trap in the human experience, yet he is not merely after women, he believes he can find Her, the very first woman; he has disappeared and I need your help to find out what has come of him.”
About clarkscottroger
Hm..mystery grad student reaching out to the ex-Mrs.Thunberg from Germany. Bruises on her arm – what in the world happened?!
Jam packed 6.
Such is the fun of a serialized story. Each installment a teaser until the next ; )
Thank you!
Lots to unpack here. Good six and thought provoking. You know I’m a fan, so I’ll stop. Yo?
lol… (don’t tell anyone, but half the reason for what you’ve read was to see if I could pull it off… two scenes in one. In six sentences.)*
*not totally happy with the transition between Germany and Boston’s conversations but practice practice, right?
What is it about these university professors and their lust for young woman. Lacey Whitelaw thirsting for revenge maybe. Where will the story lead next. The saga continues, Clark.
these serials are fun because, at least for me, they are the ultimate ‘seat-of-the-pants’ writing… I genuinely have not idea of what happens next! lol
I can’t wait to find out!
Tune in next time. No, seriously, do it!
Thanks, Mimi
Maybe someday I’ll have the maturity to write a novel completely before releasing it..for now, I’m still in the ‘Hey! Guys!! You hear about what happened to Ian and Leanne?’
lol
Honestly, I am confused…
Not to worry. Did you get an opportunity to follow the link in the introduction to the previous two chapters? As a serial in a Six Sentence format…jumps in the narrative can be confusing. I have added to that (potential for confusion) by attempting more than a single narrative in a single Six.
The couple in the opening had not been introduced yet. The other couple (in italics) are Ian Devereaux and Leanne Thunberg who we met in the previous two chapters..
hope that helps
Always nice to take a Sunday drive with your characters, nicely done.
true
And a great music choice! Awesome six!
Thanks, Lisa
What an interesting approach in your SSS. You grabbed my attention, and I had to apply some “studied concentration” to make sure I was understanding your style here. Always the teacher to those of us a ways back in skill level. :-)
Thank you, Pat. As you may gather from my replies to the other comments, this week I’ve totally enjoyed the learning aspect of the Six Sentence Story…trying out things that seem extra difficult or even beyond my current capabilities is surely the best way to advance. I’m totally leaping ahead on this one! lol
A complex and well-crafted six, and bursting with rich images and lines, like: “…paused to smile into the bone china cup as if approving of the future arrayed at the bottom of the mist-covered amber fluid.”
and simply stated but effective…
““Here is your…” the words fell to the floor of the empty lobby.”
But this… wow …
“clutching the rolling pastureland like a hornet’s nest of brick and half-digested souls,”
That just rocks. Wish I’d thought of that line.
Thanks, V
That part is fun (allegory, metaphor, smilies or whatever they’re called…lol) but even though the manufacturer says ‘four passenger’ I may have over-loaded the vehicle this week!
I like what you did with your Six, which feels as large a story as this, but less of the veering into the oncoming lane as my Six tends towards…
live and learn
Your words painted a vivid picture. Nice job!
thank you, D
That was a wild ride! I look forward to the next installment.