CLASS SOCIETY

~ Iain Kelly

‘Why do you do it, mother?’ Jennie asked, as her mother tucked her into bed and prepared to return to her guests.

‘Do what, darling?’

‘The singing.’

‘What’s wrong with my singing?’

Jennie thought back to the after dinner entertainment. Father sat at the piano, Jennie next to him to turn his pages, and Mother standing in front of the gathered gentry from the city. Her voice screeched through the room, like nails being scratched down a blackboard. Afterwards, the guests would take it in turns to compliment her performance. Jennie thought they all must be mad or tone deaf.

‘It’s awful, mother,’ Jennie answered.

‘Of course it is, darling.’

‘But if you know you can’t sing, why do you do it?’

‘If these nouveau riche from the city want my patronage and my money, I like to make them earn it. It’s rather fun to watch them having to smile and clap politely and lie to me.’

‘What if they tell you the truth?’

‘Then they go up in my estimation completely. Goodnight dearest.’

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© The Storyteller’s Abode

Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story in around 150 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.

To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

Published by Iain Kelly

39 year old writer, avid film viewer and book reader, employed in the media industry as a television editor.

46 thoughts on “CLASS SOCIETY”

  15. Nice story Iain! I feel that even though she can’t sing she is a wise woman to teach her daughter the ways of society. But not much has changed in the human race for life has it from then till now? Shallow people still sucking up to the rich and wealthy to gain a foot into society eh Iain, always more behind the words you write here.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you. I’m glad you saw the relevance of it in today’s world too, only now it is big business and companies that have taken the place of the inherited​ rich.

      Like

      Reply

  19. Ha! Ha! Her guests patronize her for the wrong reasons, so she makes them earn it with her misrable singing and she gets an enjoyment out of it. I guess it’s a win, win situation.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. “‘If these nouveau riche from the city want my patronage and my money, I like to make them earn it. It’s rather fun to watch them having to smile and clap politely and lie to me.’”

    Woow! What a fun and for me fierce take on the prompt! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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