Thierry flicked over the page of Le Monde and glanced at the headlines. A fly lazily buzzed around the room, the only sound and movement.
Another slow day at Hotel Napoleon. Madame Dunois was the sole guest. She would be asleep until the evening meal.
The door opened. Thierry looked across the reception. A man in a black suit and fedora hat walked past. A scar down the side of his face. He nodded at Thierry and carried on.
Someone from the city, Thierry thought. They had caught up with Madame Dunois at last.
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).
To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Iain Kelly 
94 responses to “A STRANGER FROM THE CITY”
Great atmosphere, Iain
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Thanks Neil.
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Very nice evocation x
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Thanks Shehanne x
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Dear Iain,
Atmospheric, I could almost feel the heat as the fly buzzed lazily. I wonder what Madame Dunois has done. Great scene set up and progression.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle. The fate of Madame Dunois and what happens next might be a good idea for a longer story.
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Juicy details, please!
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For another story 🙂
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Woah…
Poor madame.
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It doesn’t sound like it’s going to be good news for her. Thanks for reading.
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Superb scene stetting. Nice writing, Lian.
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Thanks Neel.
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Looks and sounds like a place of a thousand possibilities! Great write, Iain. Saying (and concealing) so much in so few words.
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Thanks Annie, definitely one that could be expanded as you say.
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Delightful. Understated, but powerful as well. I don’t know whether or not to sympathize with Madame Dunois 🙂
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Thank you. It depends what you imagine she has done, or what has been done to her. I will leave it for you to decide.
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Reminds me of The Day of the Jackal. The meticulous methods of Interpol. Nicely done.
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High praise, I love that novel 🙂
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Why is she sleeping until the evening meal? What does she do all night to make her sleep all day? Why has someone from the town “caught up at with her at last”? What did she do? Is he a hit man 😉 So many unanswered questions!
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That’s the thing with only 100 words, the rest is up to you! Unless one day I write a longer version. Thanks for reading, much appreciated 🙂
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I think this is material for a bigger story!
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I think so too! Thanks for reading.
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I liked this a lot! It’s a mystery but as the reader I get to decide what mystery. I went with Spy.. just so you know.
I’m going to have to take a look at the weekly prompt you use for this. I found so many different challenges and prompt programs during the A to Z from visiting everyone it seems like it would be a lot of fun and help get the mind running.
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Nice, I was thinking more gangster, but you are right, it is up to the reader. I do a few of these photo prompts, always good fun.
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Is this someday going to be the plot for another story? Sounds intriguing 🙂
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Could definitely use it for a longer story at some point. Who knows?! 🙂
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Love the feel of this one, Iain – very atmospheric. Could be a good opening for a thriller …
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Thanks Lynn, certainly has possibilities.
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My pleasure 🙂
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Time’s up.
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Looks like it.
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I think that reality has a way to catch up even on Mme Dunois… love the atmosphere.
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Thank you Bjorn.
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There are so many possibilities with this. You have created a scene we can all feel we are in. Loved it.
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Thanks Clare, very kind.
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I think that someone will need to send for Inspector Maigret.
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This comment makes me so happy. I am reading through the Maigret novels at the moment, they are fabulous 🙂
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You set the scene beautifully, Iain. Sounds like foreign intrigue. Good writing. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you 🙂
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Given Thierry’s reaction (or lack thereof) this sounds like the sort of establishment where bad things are wont to occur.
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I suspect he has seen it before, or was expecting it.
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Excellent scene setting.
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Thanks Sandra
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Well written
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Thank you.
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I like the atmosphere you’ve evoked. Madame Dunois was have done something pretty impressive.
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I believe she is an impressive lady 🙂
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Wow! You should expand this one into a longer story. I am excited to know about Madam Dunois.😅
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oooo…you’re onto the mysteries now! Who is Madame Dunois and what has she done? Very well written. And, it does work wonderfully as a short.
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It does, although I feel like there is a good story there to expand. Maybe next years A to Z 🙂
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or August’s camp nanowrimo. You might not want to hold it off…
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If I want to put myself through Nanowrimo that is!
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with Camp Nano you can choose your goal and word count, so it’s less intense but you still motivated to write. I think it’s in July or August, which is why they call it camp.
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Good tip, wasn’t aware of that version 🙂
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they also do it in April…which I was supposed to do, but with A to Z and nanpowrimo, I never had the time for it. 😦
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Very Casablanca like. Loved the intrigue you built.
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Thank you, love that film 🙂
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Ooooo oh oh. I wonder what kind if surprise welcome they have in store?
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I suspect it’s not good! 🙂
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Oooo….that was awesome! :o)
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Thank you 🙂
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i hope the madame had a nice nap. it looks like it’s going to be a long day. 🙂
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Or extremely short…! Thanks for reading.
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Great setup to start a story. Wonder what happens next?
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We shall see. Thanks for reading.
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Wonderfully descriptive Iain. I found myself flicking an imaginary fly away as I read it!
My FF story, Ma Fantaisie Francais!
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Thanks Keith.
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I must echo everyone’s sentiments and agree you have created a wonderful atmosphere and definitely the beginnings of a longer story… something to consider, eh? 😉
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Definitely, thank you 🙂
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That doesn’t bode well for Madame!
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Doesn’t seem like it, no! Thanks Liz.
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So intriguing. Would love to know what Madame Dunois has been up to.
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Thank you, me too! 😉
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Ahhh … a cloak and dagger scenario. The jig is up for Madame Dunios.
I longer story would be fantastic, Iain. Great write …
Isadora 😎
ps – I like the way you enlarged the photo and placed it as a banner. It’s very effective. : )
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Thanks glad you liked the story, definitely one to think about for a longer one 🙂
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Very Sherlock Holmish!!!
Btw, I love SH!
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Ha, thank you 🙂
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Great opening scene for a novel. Well done, Iain,
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Thank you
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Oh, dear! Too suspense in the air. Why did they get to her? I would love to know more!
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Thank you, I’ll need to figure out the rest of the story!
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Can’t wait to read it!
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This was great Iain! Sounds as if she may need bodyguards soon…
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Thank you!
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Sounds like trouble for Madame Dubois! A nice little mystery. You really set the scene well.
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Thank you Amie 🙂
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Intriguing how this stranger, obviously up to no good, is accepted, even dismissed. You’ve made the reader want to know more!
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Thanks Dawn 🙂
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Good story.
I thought I left a comment but I don’t see it. I’m having computer troubles so ….
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So you set the stage, now what happens? 🙂
Is it good that they caught up with Madame or bad??
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It seems bad, but I’m not so sure! Definitely one I could write more on.
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I hope you do!
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Nice vignette. What had she done, I wonder
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Thanks Michael. Pretty sure it was something she shouldn’t have!
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