IAIN KELLY

A STRANGER FROM THE CITY

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.

sandra-crook-1
Copyright Sandra Crook

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.

94 responses to “A STRANGER FROM THE CITY”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    Great atmosphere, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Neil.

      Like

      Reply
  2. shehannemoore Avatar
    shehannemoore

    Very nice evocation x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Shehanne x

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    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

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Rochelle. The fate of Madame Dunois and what happens next might be a good idea for a longer story.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
      1. Christine Goodnough Avatar
        Christine Goodnough

        Juicy details, please!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        For another story 🙂

        Like

  4. gravadee Avatar
    gravadee

    Woah…
    Poor madame.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It doesn’t sound like it’s going to be good news for her. Thanks for reading.

      Like

      Reply
  5. neelwritesblog Avatar
    neelwritesblog

    Superb scene stetting. Nice writing, Lian.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Neel.

      Like

      Reply
  6. Annie Avatar
    Annie

    Looks and sounds like a place of a thousand possibilities! Great write, Iain. Saying (and concealing) so much in so few words.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Annie, definitely one that could be expanded as you say.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    Delightful. Understated, but powerful as well. I don’t know whether or not to sympathize with Madame Dunois 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      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.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. J Hardy Carroll Avatar
    J Hardy Carroll

    Reminds me of The Day of the Jackal. The meticulous methods of Interpol. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      High praise, I love that novel 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. gigglingfattie Avatar
    gigglingfattie

    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!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      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 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. Rosemary Carlson Avatar
    Rosemary Carlson

    I think this is material for a bigger story!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I think so too! Thanks for reading.

      Like

      Reply
  11. Outside Perception Avatar
    Outside Perception

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      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.

      Like

      Reply
  12. NJ Avatar
    NJ

    Is this someday going to be the plot for another story? Sounds intriguing 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Could definitely use it for a longer story at some point. Who knows?! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Lynn Love Avatar
    Lynn Love

    Love the feel of this one, Iain – very atmospheric. Could be a good opening for a thriller …

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Lynn, certainly has possibilities.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Lynn Love Avatar
        Lynn Love

        My pleasure 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  14. James Avatar
    James

    Time’s up.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Looks like it.

      Like

      Reply
  15. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    I think that reality has a way to catch up even on Mme Dunois… love the atmosphere.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Bjorn.

      Like

      Reply
  16. Clare Hempstead Avatar
    Clare Hempstead

    There are so many possibilities with this. You have created a scene we can all feel we are in. Loved it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Clare, very kind.

      Like

      Reply
  17. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    I think that someone will need to send for Inspector Maigret.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      This comment makes me so happy. I am reading through the Maigret novels at the moment, they are fabulous 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. patriciaruthsusan Avatar
    patriciaruthsusan

    You set the scene beautifully, Iain. Sounds like foreign intrigue. Good writing. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    Given Thierry’s reaction (or lack thereof) this sounds like the sort of establishment where bad things are wont to occur.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I suspect he has seen it before, or was expecting it.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    Excellent scene setting.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sandra

      Like

      Reply
  21. nonsmokingladybug Avatar
    nonsmokingladybug

    Well written

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. Sarah Potter Writes Avatar
    Sarah Potter Writes

    I like the atmosphere you’ve evoked. Madame Dunois was have done something pretty impressive.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I believe she is an impressive lady 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. shivamt25 Avatar
    shivamt25

    Wow! You should expand this one into a longer story. I am excited to know about Madam Dunois.😅

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  24. Sascha Darlington Avatar
    Sascha Darlington

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It does, although I feel like there is a good story there to expand. Maybe next years A to Z 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Sascha Darlington Avatar
        Sascha Darlington

        or August’s camp nanowrimo. You might not want to hold it off…

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        If I want to put myself through Nanowrimo that is!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Sascha Darlington Avatar
        Sascha Darlington

        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.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        Good tip, wasn’t aware of that version 🙂

        Like

      5. Sascha Darlington Avatar
        Sascha Darlington

        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. 😦

        Liked by 1 person

  25. Life Lessons of a Dog Lover Avatar
    Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

    Very Casablanca like. Loved the intrigue you built.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, love that film 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Ooooo oh oh. I wonder what kind if surprise welcome they have in store?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I suspect it’s not good! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  27. Mrs. Completely Avatar
    Mrs. Completely

    Oooo….that was awesome! :o)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  28. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    i hope the madame had a nice nap. it looks like it’s going to be a long day. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Or extremely short…! Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  29. subroto Avatar
    subroto

    Great setup to start a story. Wonder what happens next?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      We shall see. Thanks for reading.

      Like

      Reply
  30. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    Wonderfully descriptive Iain. I found myself flicking an imaginary fly away as I read it!

    My FF story, Ma Fantaisie Francais!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Keith.

      Like

      Reply
  31. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    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? 😉

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Definitely, thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  32. Liz Young Avatar
    Liz Young

    That doesn’t bode well for Madame!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Doesn’t seem like it, no! Thanks Liz.

      Like

      Reply
  33. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    So intriguing. Would love to know what Madame Dunois has been up to.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, me too! 😉

      Like

      Reply
  34. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar
    Inside the Mind of Isadora

    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. : )

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks glad you liked the story, definitely one to think about for a longer one 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  35. spicedmullings Avatar
    spicedmullings

    Very Sherlock Holmish!!!
    Btw, I love SH!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  36. rgayer55 Avatar
    rgayer55

    Great opening scene for a novel. Well done, Iain,

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  37. yuhublogger Avatar
    yuhublogger

    Oh, dear! Too suspense in the air. Why did they get to her? I would love to know more!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, I’ll need to figure out the rest of the story!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. yuhublogger Avatar
        yuhublogger

        Can’t wait to read it!

        Liked by 1 person

  38. Fatima Fakier Deria Avatar
    Fatima Fakier Deria

    This was great Iain! Sounds as if she may need bodyguards soon…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  39. amiewrites74 Avatar
    amiewrites74

    Sounds like trouble for Madame Dubois! A nice little mystery. You really set the scene well.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Amie 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  40. lingeringvisions by Dawn Avatar
    lingeringvisions by Dawn

    Intriguing how this stranger, obviously up to no good, is accepted, even dismissed. You’ve made the reader want to know more!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Dawn 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  41. lingeringvisions by Dawn Avatar
    lingeringvisions by Dawn

    Good story.
    I thought I left a comment but I don’t see it. I’m having computer troubles so ….

    Like

    Reply
  42. joyroses13 Avatar
    joyroses13

    So you set the stage, now what happens? 🙂
    Is it good that they caught up with Madame or bad??

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It seems bad, but I’m not so sure! Definitely one I could write more on.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. joyroses13 Avatar
        joyroses13

        I hope you do!

        Liked by 1 person

  43. Michael Wynn Avatar
    Michael Wynn

    Nice vignette. What had she done, I wonder

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Michael. Pretty sure it was something she shouldn’t have!

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.