STUMPED

The town hall meeting had turned ugly.

Councillor Lewisham tried vainly to placate the natives. ‘If you could let me explain. There’s prohibitive cost involved as well as environmental regulations.’

‘Rubbish!’

‘The trees are a danger. One more storm and they’ll fall right on my house.’

‘Typical politician, all talk. Regulation this, regulation that.’

‘Why do we vote for idiots like you!’

Lewisham slumped in his chair.

The scream of a chainsaw silenced everyone. All heads turned to the door.

There stood Agnes Smith, wielding the saw, plastic visor over her face, covered in sawdust.

‘Problem solved,’ she said.


stumps
Copyright Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Written as part of theย Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more detailsย HERE).ย 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 weekโ€™s prompt, visitย HERE.

Further adventures of Agnes and her husband Archie can be found here:ย THE AGNES AND ARCHIE STORIES

114 responses to “STUMPED”

  1. I’m guessing Agnes is going to get her collar felt. A fun story, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. If there’s anyone brave enough to feel her collar – she’s in the mood to take on all comers…

      Like

  2. Dear Iain,

    There’s more than one way to break up a logjam I suppose. And they’re stumped no longer. Go Agnes! Good one.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Rochelle. Some times decisive action is just what’s called for ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Rough justice out there in the wild west of suburbia ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Agnes the cowboy, taking on the sheriff and the townsfolk ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

      1. She’d better stay away from my trees!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. There’s no stopping her once her mind’s set on something, but she isn’t after any random trees, just the few that are causing the problem in the story! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Like

      3. Give some people a chain saw though, and they get a taste for it ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

  4. I doubt anyone will dare to have a go at Agnes! Nice one Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I certainly wouldn’t, not if she’s armed with a chainsaw.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. What a brave lady! ๐Ÿ™‚
    Wonderful story, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Moon ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

    1. She certainly is. Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. There’s an older, historic neighborhood in Boise called the North End which has this problem periodically. The area has a lot of old growth trees which are quite beautiful and majestic, but on occasion, they either need to be cut back, or in extreme cases, cut down. Many arguments result.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Impossible to please everyone in these situations.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Well, that’s one way to silence dissent!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Certainly puts an end to any arguments. Thanks for reading ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  8. A chainsaw is difficult to argue with. Lovely take.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It does provide a good full stop to an argument ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  9. I loved this story!
    You caught the tone of such meetings rather well. The twist at the end was beautifully done. I could feel my head turn towards the door, along with everybody else in the hall, as Agnes entered.
    Super writing, Iain!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you Penny, glad you enjoyed it ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Once they see the way out of a problem, women don’t hang about. Councillor Lewisham should take heed of that.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maybe he should get Agnes onto the council.

      Like

  11. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    I thought perhaps she was going for Mr L Lewisham, I preferred your version.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. She’s not a killer – yet at least!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Great story. Is Agnes single?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. She has her ever faithful husband Archie, although he does appear to have stayed away from this particular meeting… ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

      1. Oh well. I’ll just have to keep chainsawing on my tod then.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. No mucking about for Agnes. Go! Agnes!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. No, a woman who believes in actions rather than words!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I like her. My kinda gal!

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Well that was one way to shut them up – but shame about the tree! Enjoyable read, Iain.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Susan ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  15. Well, I think we all need an Agnes in our lives. No messing with her!! Lovely vivid writing, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Jilly – always good to have someone who cuts through the nonsense!

      Like

  16. Show ’em how it’s done, Agnes!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks Cynthia

      Liked by 1 person

  17. “It takes a woman, a dainty woman, a sweetheart, a mistress, a wife; oh yes, it takes a woman, a fragile woman, to give you the sweet things in life.”
    Horace Vandergelder

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Interesting quote. Thanks for reading.

      Like

  18. Ha ha! I love it! What a great woman – thatโ€™s such a brilliant that youโ€™ve created there. Nic eone ๐Ÿ‘

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Anna ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  19. Sorted! She’s my kinda girl.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Sometimes it is better to ask forgiveness than permission.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, don’t encourage her too much – where will she stop!? ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  21. She cut right through to the heart of the issue ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lol, absolutely ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Problem solved, indeed. Not easy arguing against a buzzing chainsaw.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Good way to finish an argument ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  23. Haha, made me smile. Agnes doesn’t sound like she brooks any nonsense!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Definitely not. Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. There is no way I’m tackling an older lady with a grudge and a chainsaw! Nicely written – great, lighthearted tone and a hint of the sinister in Agnes. Well done

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Lynn – she’s always had a hint of the sinister about her! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ha! More than a hint.

        Liked by 1 person

  25. A great title for a great story! I love the way that the title, in one word, sums up how Councillor Lewisham is utterly confounded by the issue and unable to deal with it effectively. Enter Agnes, chain saw screaming . . . Superb!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Edith, glad you enjoyed it ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  26. I got a little lost in the dialogue (I assume more than one of the townsfolk were speaking?), but the point of the story still came through when Agnes showed up. A fun read.

    My brother once said, “Just looking at a chainsaw makes my back hurt.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You assumed correctly. Thanks Russell.

      Like

  27. Simple remedy.
    While men stood talking, a woman took action.
    Love it!

    Liked by 1 person

  28. I like her style! Cut through all the red tape. Great story. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Sometimes a chainsaw solves the problem… and she can also exclaim:
    “Firewood for everyone”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That’ll get the locals back on her side ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  30. A woman with a purpose! Loved it. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Clare ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  31. The councillor must have been mighty relieved when Agnes entered the building. What a lady. Loved the story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Certainly got him out of a tricky situation. Thanks Irene.

      Liked by 1 person

  32. lol. Timber! Way to go, Agnes. I don’t think anyone’s going to tackle her considering the chain saw. Good story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Sascha – I don’t think she’s in the mood for anyone’s arguments ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  33. sometimes, it takes a woman…. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. More often than not ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Taking matters into your own hands is a bit of an Australian tradition too. I’m a real tree lover but I’m not going to die for one. I don’t think they’d appreciate Agnes on council. She takes action, rather than paper shuffling and procrastination, which councils are renowned for. That said, she’d have my vote!
    xx Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That’s the trouble – no place for someone like her in politics ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  35. I doubt I’d argue too passionately with a chainsaw-wielding woman! Fun story, though I couldn’t help feeling sorry for the innocent-victim tree. ๐Ÿ˜ฆ

    Liked by 1 person

  36. Sometimes there is simply too much talking, round and round in circles. There are times for an “Agnes” to just get it done. Very nice story! =)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Brenda – I’m sure we can all think of such instances!

      Liked by 1 person

  37. Well go Agnes!.
    Great story. I like a woman who will get shit done

    Liked by 1 person

  38. This story reflects politics and governments today just perfectly. All talk and no action. Sometimes all it takes is a simple solution like a woman with a chainsaw and five minutes. Funny take on the prompt, Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Fatima ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  39. I’d like to see Agnes’ story continued, although her tree-felling urges are a little extreme, haha. Fun story. Nice and brief characterisations.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much – I’m sure she will be back, she’s been a recurring character for a while now on my blog ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  40. Solved indeed. I shall visit that couple again, no doubt.

    Liked by 1 person

  41. So once again the politician wins. Eergh!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m not sure there is a winner. The tree is definitely the loser…

      Like

  42. Haha! Way to go, Agnes!

    Liked by 1 person

  43. A woman of action,,,,, love it.

    Liked by 1 person

  44. Less talk and more action… Agnes is a women after my own heart!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Amie, glad you are a fan ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  45. LOL yeah. We all need an Agnes sometimes

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Perhaps we could do with more of them ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks Anne.

      Like

  46. Leave it to Agnes to be practical. I wonder if she’ll get a slap on the wrist for cutting down the trees without official permission. The tone of the meeting is so true to life!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. She may get a warning, I’m not sure she will pay it much mind! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  47. Well, diplomacy doesn’t stand a chainsaw chance in the final cut. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s the best kind of diplomacy sometimes ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  48. Chainsaw diplomacy at its best here.

    Liked by 1 person

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