‘We’ve checked everywhere, Sam, it ain’t here,’ said Ruth.
I dropped the sledgehammer. ‘Alright Gutman, where is it?’
‘I told you. Ask Cairo. He knows, not me.’
‘Cairo’s dead. So’s Archer. You’re responsible. Now cough up the statue.’
‘Poor Mr. Spade. You’re nothing but a clueless gumshoe.’
‘The Falcon, where is it?’ I aimed the pistol at Gutman’s heart, if there was a heart beating in that emotionless cavern.
The only thing I knew for sure was it wasn’t behind the wall I’d just busted through.
Gutman gave a rumbling laugh,’It’s not as simple as that, Mr. Spade.’
It never is, I thought.
Copyright Mikhael Sublett
Written for Friday Fictioneers 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).
It’s that time of year – the decorations are up, it’s cold outside, and it’s perfect weather to sit on the sofa and watch old movies. A lot go for Christmas films, but nothing says Christmas to me like the old classics, especially with Humphrey Bogart – Casablanca, Key Largo and The Maltese Falcon. This scene is my little tribute to that last of these, a classic noir novel and film.
To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
2 weeks until Christmas, still time to order either of my novels for the reader in your life! Perfect if you’re looking to discover a new action thriller book!
A JUSTIFIED STATE: U.S.A. – AMAZON.COM UNITEDKINGDOM AUSTRALIA CANADA INDIA BRAZIL MEXICO GERMANY FRANCE SPAIN ITALY NETHERLANDS JAPAN
STATE OF DENIAL: U.S.A. – AMAZON.COM UNITED KINGDOM AUSTRALIA CANADA INDIA BRAZIL MEXICO GERMANY FRANCE SPAIN ITALY NETHERLANDS JAPAN
I love those movies.
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Thanks Joanne – they certainly don’t make movies, or movie stars, like that anymore.
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I could almost hear the voices here. Well done.
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Humphrey has a very distinctive voice, it works best if you read it with him in mind! Thanks Sandra
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A fitting tribute to the classic McGuffin
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Thanks Neil
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Dear Iain,
Not much beats a good Bogie movie. He was one of a kind. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle, he certainly was.
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A sampler of Indiana Jones, searching for a lost treasure – perhaps Sam Spade is out of his depth on this one. It is always a dilemma – it makes me laugh – when you level a gun at someone and say; ‘Tell me where it is or else.’
Tell him and you might be shot – don’t tell and continue to live. It is a matter of literal trust, me thinks.
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In a world where there is definitely a lack of trust! Thanks James.
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They were great movies weren’t they?
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They certainly were. Most noticeably I find the writing is so sharp, much better than most we get in movies today.
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Everyone is looking for “edgy” but I think they were “edgy” and are relevant even today!
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I don’t think I’ve ever actually watched a complete Bogart film, but of course I’ve seen plenty of clips. Inventive take on the photo prompt, Iain.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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You are missing out Susan, look them out – everyone is a classic!
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The Maltese Falcon is one of my favourite films. I read your story and could hear their voices 🙂
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Thank you, it is a treat to watch!
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Love it. Makes me want to go watch them all again, it’s been too long.
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Well worth the effort to remind yourself how good they are Janet 🙂
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Deadly oldies, them were, eh?
I could practically hear the dialogue. 🙂
Well done!
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Thank you, a few have mentioned this – the dialogue certainly sticks with you. So well written and acted.
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Yep. They don’t do them like that anymore, do they? …
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I love Bogart movies, especially those with Lauren Bacall. Nice tribute.
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You have excellent taste 🙂
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C’mon, Iain, you killed Peter Lorre off-stage halfway through a 100 word story?
Not fair, old chap!
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I always forget how small his part in Casablanca is, and he gets written out halfway through that as well. One of the great supporting actors, always good value and often better than the films he was in.
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Bogart and Bacall. Those were the days. But it really wasn’t nice of you to give poor Mr. Lorre such a tiny part 🙂
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He never got the big parts, but he often stole the movie!
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I feel Christmassy already. Great atmospherics, Kelly
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Thanks Neel
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This one went over my head, but I enjoyed the tone and feel. A right old mess.
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You lucky thing if you have still to discover the joy of Humphrey Bogart movies!
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Dont forget the African Queen with Katherine Hepburn, another favorite! Not a gumshoe flick but great all the same.
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Better not start listing them – The Desperate Hours, To Have and Have Not, Treasure of Sierra Madre…- I could go on for a while here! 🙂
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A bit before my vintage 😀.
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They are timeless, you’re never too young to enjoy them
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I think I saw it a few decades ago. Sounds like a tense scene, anyway.
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Worth looking out for again 😉
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Argh! I need to know where it is. I love the suspense.
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Thank you Victoria (I have no idea where it is! 😉 )
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Crisp writing, Iain, and a good take on the prompt.
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Thank you Penny
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Love that movie!
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One of my favourites.
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Well done, sir! These are classics to be sure!
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Thank you Dale
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Great take on the prompt Iain!
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Thanks Russell
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a mishmash from old favorites. well done.
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Thank you
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I once had a spate of binging on Bogart movies and reading Raymond Chandler / Dashiell Hammett books – still love those one liners and Bogart was the best. Great take on the prompt and loved the mash-up of the characters.
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Love those books too – you may have set me off to dig out my Chandler books and give them another read.
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Perfect antidote to the bland sugariness of Christmas!
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You’ve given me an idea – I’m off to Amazon to grab some Bogie movies for Christmas, a present to myself!
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Great idea Keith, smartest pennies you’ll ever spend!
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Love your wide-ranging collection of detective kitch, all in 100 words!
The tough guy. The broad. The threat. The hunt. The low-level depression.
What an homage to the genre! I can see it all–in black and white.
And no one does it better than Bogart. Heres looking at you, kid!
(My favorite holiday splurge is BBC’s Poirot, btw.)
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Love Poirot, I have the box set 🙂
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A wonderful tribute! Well done.
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Thank you Eugenia
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Such good writing, Iain.
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Thank you
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You’re welcome.
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I don’t think I’d be laughing in that situation. I was half-expecting the statue to have been destroyed by the sledgehammr.
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Perhaps that would sort out the mystery once and for all!
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Nicely done Iain.
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Thank you
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I haven’t watched any of these! Will have to check them out.
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You’re in for a treat!
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