IAIN KELLY

HERE’S LOOKIN’ AT YOU, KID

‘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.


mikhaels-photo

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!
christmas 2019

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

68 responses to “HERE’S LOOKIN’ AT YOU, KID”

  1. joanne the geek Avatar

    I love those movies.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Joanne – they certainly don’t make movies, or movie stars, like that anymore.

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Sandra Avatar

    I could almost hear the voices here. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Humphrey has a very distinctive voice, it works best if you read it with him in mind! Thanks Sandra

      Like

  3. neilmacdon Avatar

    A fitting tribute to the classic McGuffin

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  4. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    Not much beats a good Bogie movie. He was one of a kind. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle, he certainly was.

      Like

  5. James McEwan Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      In a world where there is definitely a lack of trust! Thanks James.

      Like

  6. Covert Novelist Avatar

    They were great movies weren’t they?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      They certainly were. Most noticeably I find the writing is so sharp, much better than most we get in movies today.

      Like

      1. Covert Novelist Avatar

        Everyone is looking for “edgy” but I think they were “edgy” and are relevant even today!

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Susan A Eames Avatar

    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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You are missing out Susan, look them out – everyone is a classic!

      Like

  8. magickmermaid Avatar

    The Maltese Falcon is one of my favourite films. I read your story and could hear their voices 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, it is a treat to watch!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. scr4pl80 Avatar

    Love it. Makes me want to go watch them all again, it’s been too long.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Well worth the effort to remind yourself how good they are Janet 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

    Deadly oldies, them were, eh?
    I could practically hear the dialogue. 🙂
    Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, a few have mentioned this – the dialogue certainly sticks with you. So well written and acted.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

        Yep. They don’t do them like that anymore, do they? …

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    I love Bogart movies, especially those with Lauren Bacall. Nice tribute.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You have excellent taste 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. ceayr Avatar

    C’mon, Iain, you killed Peter Lorre off-stage halfway through a 100 word story?
    Not fair, old chap!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      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.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. granonine Avatar

    Bogart and Bacall. Those were the days. But it really wasn’t nice of you to give poor Mr. Lorre such a tiny part 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He never got the big parts, but he often stole the movie!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. neeltheauthor- author of WHEN LIFE THROWS THOSE CURVE BALLS Avatar

    I feel Christmassy already. Great atmospherics, Kelly

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  15. Tannille Avatar

    This one went over my head, but I enjoyed the tone and feel. A right old mess.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You lucky thing if you have still to discover the joy of Humphrey Bogart movies!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. 4963andypop Avatar

        Dont forget the African Queen with Katherine Hepburn, another favorite! Not a gumshoe flick but great all the same.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        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! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Tannille Avatar

        A bit before my vintage 😀.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Iain Kelly Avatar

        They are timeless, you’re never too young to enjoy them

        Liked by 1 person

  16. draliman Avatar

    I think I saw it a few decades ago. Sounds like a tense scene, anyway.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Worth looking out for again 😉

      Like

  17. victoriabruce Avatar

    Argh! I need to know where it is. I love the suspense.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Victoria (I have no idea where it is! 😉 )

      Like

  18. pennygadd51 Avatar

    Crisp writing, Iain, and a good take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Penny

      Like

  19. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Love that movie!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      One of my favourites.

      Like

  20. Dale Avatar

    Well done, sir! These are classics to be sure!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Dale

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Russell Avatar

    Great take on the prompt Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Russell

      Liked by 1 person

  22. plaridel Avatar

    a mishmash from old favorites. well done.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. siobhan1967 Avatar

    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.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Love those books too – you may have set me off to dig out my Chandler books and give them another read.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. siobhan1967 Avatar

        Perfect antidote to the bland sugariness of Christmas!

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    You’ve given me an idea – I’m off to Amazon to grab some Bogie movies for Christmas, a present to myself!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Great idea Keith, smartest pennies you’ll ever spend!

      Like

  25. 4963andypop Avatar

    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.)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Love Poirot, I have the box set 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar

    A wonderful tribute! Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Eugenia

      Like

  27. msjadeli Avatar

    Such good writing, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        You’re welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  28. Liz Young Avatar

    I don’t think I’d be laughing in that situation. I was half-expecting the statue to have been destroyed by the sledgehammr.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Perhaps that would sort out the mystery once and for all!

      Like

  29. Woman walking Max Avatar

    Nicely done Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. magarisa Avatar

    I haven’t watched any of these! Will have to check them out.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You’re in for a treat!

      Liked by 1 person

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