IAIN KELLY

CHANDELIER

‘Ta-da!’ announced Agnes, throwing her arms open wide, ‘what do you think?’

Archie stared at the array of lights hanging vertically from the ceiling, above the grand staircase.

‘What the…?’ he stared open-mouthed.

‘Isn’t it marvellous?’ gushed Agnes, oblivious to Archie’s response.

‘It’s…it’s…very big.’

‘Over a thousand individual lights.’

‘Well, if it’s what you want.’ Archie shuffled off into the living room.

Agnes looked at his back as he left. She shook her head and gazed up at her new decoration. The smile returned to her face.

‘Beautiful.’

In the centre of the huge vertical chandelier one tiny bulb flickered on and off. Then another. Then every bulb flickered and went out.

Agnes stood in the darkness.

‘Sonovabitch’, she muttered.


from-roger
© Roger Bultot

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE).  The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above, thanks to Sandra for the photo this week).

For more stories based on this prompt, visit HERE.

82 responses to “CHANDELIER”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    After hubris comes nemesis. Nicely done, Iain

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Neil, a tricky one this week. Look forward to seeing what others come up with!

      Like

  2. Chris White Avatar

    Well done. Does it take just one bulb to make the others all go out. I suppose so …. just like Christmas tree lights.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I try not to let physics get in the way of a good bit of symbolism! Thanks Chris.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    I’d hate to try to keep up with the bulbs in that fixture. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s funny that that was the one thing that jumped out at me from the prompt – what happens if one of those bulbs goes out! Many thanks Rochelle.

      Like

    2. seekeroftruthweb Avatar

      It was probably a lot of fun for whomever hung the fixture…a co-worker spent 8 hours hanging a fixture that wasn’t even half as complicated.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Snow's Fissures and Fractures Avatar

    Geoffrey is a smart man. 😀 Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Indeed he is 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. shehannemoore Avatar

    LOL. Sod’s law. Well done Iain. Another great piece.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Shehanne, yesterday’s was better, but this one has it’s merits 🙂

      Like

  6. creatingahome Avatar

    Oh dear, that’s a huge let down for her.
    Hehehe.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Afraid so 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    I guess that that Geoffrey will have to rebulb the installation now…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I think he’ll be reluctant to help out 🙂

      Like

  8. Clare Hempstead Avatar

    Reminds me of my Christmas lights every year!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yep, there’s always one bulb every year that goes out! 🙂

      Like

  9. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    Sonovabitch, why the hell did she need so many lights. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Exactly Geoffrey’s thought I imagine 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  10. wmqcolby Avatar

    Hahahahaha! I LOVE it! I would have written it that same way, too.
    Brilliant!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

      Like

  11. joesephin Avatar

    Reblogged this on joesephin.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks for the reblog.

      Like

  12. Lynn Love Avatar

    Ha! Made me smile, this one. Serve her right for being a bit too flash and showy offy! A nice set up and pay off for us there – nicely done, Iain

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        Pleasure as always Iain 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Morgan Avatar

    LOL OH doesn’t that just always happen! LOL 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yep, typical! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Morgan Avatar

        Makes me scared because my christmas tree is prelighted…THAT will be the moment for your final line LOL 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  14. The Writer's Village Avatar

    A bright idea is worth the effort.
    Good funny story.
    Randy

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Randy.

      Like

  15. nonsmokingladybug Avatar

    It made me laugh. Great post.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks, happy to amuse 🙂

      Like

  16. Caerlynn Nash Avatar
    Caerlynn Nash

    A little more than the breaker could handle, I reckon! Thanks for the chuckle. Well done!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Caerlynn, glad it amused you.

      Like

  17. aliciajamtaas Avatar

    Oh that Geoffrey is a tricky one. I admire the conversation in this. Very well done. Especially this line ‘It’s…it’s…very big.’ It says so much.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Alicia, much appreciated.

      Like

  18. Carol Cameleon Avatar

    Ah, so is this because he literally is a ‘sonofabitch’ and turned them off?! I wonder… 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I hadn’t thought of that, but it definitely could be 🙂

      Like

  19. S.M.Peterson Avatar

    Hahaha!!! Amazing, as always. You always get a chuckle out of me Iain!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You’re too kind, but thank you! 🙂

      Like

  20. TraceyDelaplainMD.com Avatar

    Darn, I hate when that happens.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      🙂 thanks Tracey

      Liked by 1 person

  21. J. Milburn Avatar

    The last line had me laughing, as it sounds exactly like what I would say in the same situation. Nicely done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks, glad you enjoyed 🙂

      Like

  22. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    That was great fun, thanks for the chuckle. I like the dynamics between the couple.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Happy I have you a chuckle 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  23. draliman Avatar

    Oh dear, and her dream dissolves into darkness 😦
    Great story, I enjoyed the dialogue!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  24. elmowrites Avatar

    Ooh, I think I’m with Margaret here. Geoffrey needs to relax and enjoy it! Although I would hate to be responsible for changing the bulbs…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I think that’s why Geoffrey is so unexcited, he just sees the work involved for him! Thanks for reading.

      Like

  25. Liz Young Avatar

    And there was I complaining about one dud bulb in the kitchen!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, bare that in mind next time your choosing a new light! 🙂

      Like

  26. mickwynn2013 Avatar
    mickwynn2013

    Made me laugh. When she boasted about 1000 individual lights I immediately wondered who would replace the bulbs, it’d be like painting the Forth bridge.

    Like

  27. Michael Wynn Avatar

    This made me laugh when i read about the 1000 lights and wondered who would be responsible for changing the bulbs, it’d be like painting the Forth bridge.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, very much, a never-ending task. Thanks Michael.

      Like

  28. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Ha! I had a great laugh at that last line. Well done. And well told.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie, glad I gave you a laugh 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  29. emmylgant Avatar

    Great piece! Had me laughing . You really built it well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks 🙂

      Like

  30. rgayer55 Avatar

    I’m with Geoffrey. Good story, Iain. This gave me a chuckle.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks, pleased you enjoyed 🙂

      Like

  31. Melinda Kucsera Avatar

    My dad would have flipped the master switch and blacked out the house 😉 Margaret got off easy. This is a fun story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Melinda 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Melinda Kucsera Avatar

        You’re welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  32. spicedmullings Avatar

    An unappreciative husband can be such a douche bag. I was glad that she did not let it affect her.
    But he did the ultimate – doused it all effectively!

    Liked by 1 person

  33. HonieBriggs Avatar

    That would SO happen to me! Relatable fiction, that’s what you’ve written here. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Many thanks Honie.

      Like

  34. Amy Reese Avatar

    Oh, not fair! She was so close to having the chandelier of her dreams. Fun take, Iain. Made me laugh.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Amy 🙂

      Like

  35. yarnspinnerr Avatar

    It is such a identifiable experience. Great take.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  36. ahtdoucette Avatar

    Oh no! Guess that’s the downside of using so many tiny lights. Well written.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Anne 🙂

      Like

  37. Dahlia Avatar

    Oops! Apparently your physics is not too off – though the manufacturers may be! If the bulbs are in series instead of being in parallel connection, this may happen. A vague flickering of school physics and the rest google helped 😀 Nicely described – i can even hear the following arguments and counterarguments!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha thanks for checking, it’s more research than I did! Glad you liked it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dahlia Avatar

        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  38. Ameena k.g Avatar

    Haha, I don’t believe Margaret was expecting that at all. As for Geoffrey, he’d only be delighted! 😄 I enjoyed reading this.

    Like

  39. patriciaruthsusan Avatar

    I remember those old Christmas tree lights. I think someone tricked her into buying cheap and faulty lights. Oh well. Humorous and good writing, Iain. 😀 — Suzanne

    Like

  40. Grant-Sud Avatar
    Grant-Sud

    😂 Awesome

    Liked by 1 person

  41. lingeringvisions by Dawn Avatar

    Ha! That made me laugh!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Dawn 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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