He ate the last crumbs, rolled up the wrapper and tossed it in the back.

Still hungry. Should’ve stopped at a store for provisions on the way.

Across the street nothing happened. He stared at the unmoving windows and door.

How long had it been? Three hours. Another five before the night shift took over.

The door opened. Not our guy. Just the old woman across the hall.

He felt tired. Maybe a stroll in the fresh air would help.

No, best stay put. Roll the window down at least.

Birdsong. Traffic. The sounds of a neighbourhood.

And keep watching.


remains-of-ted-strutz
Copyright Ted Strutz

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).

With all the turmoil going on around the world, it felt nice to write a story where, on the surface at least, nothing is happening.

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.


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72 responses to “THE STAKEOUT”

  1. Sandra Avatar

    Watching, waiting, listening. The life of a PI, I guess. I felt the boredom.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I thought we could all do with a little quiet time just now.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. neilmacdon Avatar

    Nothing is happening, but violence is waiting just round the corner

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      That’s the modern world we live in.

      Like

  3. ceayr Avatar

    A well-told thriller with no thrills.
    Where is Emilio Estevez when you need him?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      No thrills, no spills, just peace. Not much of a film tagline for Stakeout III.

      Like

  4. Tannille Avatar

    I think I can hear his stomach rumble.😀

    Liked by 1 person

  5. MrBinks Avatar
    MrBinks

    Nice tension building.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    Well drawn picture of a stake out. Tense, yet boring.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Rochelle

      Like

  7. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    This sounds like one litter filled car to be avoided, 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      All part of the job.

      Like

  8. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar

    Wow. I want to know who and why he’s watching. Sounds like a good p.i. novel.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Eugenia, you got exactly the sense I wished to convey.

      Like

  9. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    Watching waiting, soon sometime never. You set the scene perfectly Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Keith. I wonder how many stakeouts end with nothing happening – in films they always seem to be there at the right moment to catch the bad guy!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. magickmermaid Avatar

    Very interested in who he is trying to see doing what! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Let your imagination run with it! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  11. wmqcolby Avatar

    Very nice, Iain. I particularly liked the experience of it, the atmosphere. And, yes, we could use a little quiet at this time. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you – so much going on, I want a job where I can just sit quietly!

      Like

  12. Dale Avatar

    It’s not all car chases and catching your man, is it? I could feel the time drag. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Dale, it’s nice to take some time out and slow down for a change 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale Avatar

        Yes, it is! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  13. pennygadd51 Avatar

    You’re a brave man, Iain, regaling us with a story in which nothing happens (on the surface). Your technique is so good, you succeed. Kudos!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Penny, I like to set myself these little challenges!

      Like

  14. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar

    For some reason your piece reminds me of the Monty P sketch “A minute passed”!! Good stuff Iain, its nice to see nothing going on…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Love Monty P. That could be a good tonic to watch right now in fact.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar

        Such a lot of bad news, it’s reaching critical mass now

        Liked by 1 person

  15. plaridel Avatar

    a quiet before the storm. i could see suspense building.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. granonine Avatar

    Surveillance would drive me crazy. You’ve drawn it clearly!

    I finished “State of War” a couple of days ago. Best yet! One of my favorite characters died. Another one lived. So much intrigue, corruption, deceit, hunger for power, little value in human life if it doesn’t fit the over-all plan. You’ve grown with each book, and it’s been exciting to watch it happen. So, what’s next?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks on both counts, Linda! Glad you liked the book, and your thoughts mirror my own – I felt my writing was improving with each one – so glad you felt the same as a reader. A couple of ideas for something next – all I will say is it won’t be sci-fi or set in the future, or deal with politics – too much of that in the real world now! Still awaiting first review on Amazon, if you are able to leave a couple of kind words it would really be appreciated – and thank you for being such a loyal and encouraging reader 🙂 ❤️️

      Liked by 1 person

      1. granonine Avatar

        You’re very welcome :). I will take care of the review on Amazon as well.

        Like

      2. granonine Avatar

        I’ve looked for a way to leave a recommendation for your books, but so far I’m not having any success. How do I get to a place where I can do that?

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Not to worry Linda. Amazon seem to be very picky about who they let review items. There should be an option there for you to leave a review on the book page, but if there isn’t, never mind, thanks for trying 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      4. granonine Avatar

        I’ll look again 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  17. msjadeli Avatar

    Well done, Iain. I felt like I was there.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. msjadeli Avatar

        You’re welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  18. justjoyfulness Avatar

    I could feel the tension building. Maybe the guy he was looking for escaped while he was munching 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You get the feeling he’s not the most committed to his work 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  19. draliman Avatar

    The reality of police work. And when he gets back to the station he’ll have to fill out 3 hours of paperwork explaining how nothing happened…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      They never show that bit in the movies either.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Jonathan Caswell Avatar

    Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
    YOWSA—WELL-DONE!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  21. James McEwan Avatar

    The spy, the PI and the Undercover police, they all find comfort in food doing the hard slog of waiting and watching and waiting . Well told.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks James

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Are the joys of being stuck in a small hot space… Oh wait

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yeah, I’ve done a lot of lockdown comfort eating too…

      Like

      1. Laurie Bell Avatar

        I sure have too!

        Liked by 1 person

  23. Liz Young Avatar

    It must be so difficult to keep alert for eight hours!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I struggle at my work anyway!

      Like

  24. Fatima Fakier Avatar

    I could never do it! I’d wander off out of boredom or frustration. And I could feel his frustration mounting.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Fatima

      Liked by 1 person

  25. michaelwynnauthor Avatar

    That’s going to be a hard five hours, nothing to eat, wanting to sleep and nothing to do. I should imagine he’ll succomb to slumber. Well written, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Michael

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    You say there’s nothing happening, but the tension is building. It’s palpable. Good one.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. subroto Avatar

    Nice one but I think our man deserves a good steak out after this.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, love it 😉

      Like

  28. Moumita De Sarkar Avatar

    When is the provision store going to open? I am feeling sorry for the guy 😒

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Perhaps he can order a take out to be delivered to him!

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    It’s only in books where detective work is filled with action… the dreary waiting… (and the lousy pay)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Bjorn

      Like

  30. Ruby Manchanda Avatar
    Ruby Manchanda

    Presenting mundane with such beauty

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Ruby 🙂

      Like

  31. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

    I don’t think I could do it!.
    Amazingly told.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

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