IAIN KELLY

ONE LAST SHOW

Ultraviolet spotlights checked. Chairs unfolded.

The old hall was looking good.

Breathe in and get that musty scent. This was where it all started.

They had been on quite a journey since then.

Now, time for one last show.

‘Okay, open the doors.’

He watched them enter from behind the curtain. In they came, gathered from far and wide, by invite only. A couple of no-shows, but they could take care of them later.

‘Lock the doors.’

The band looked at each other, grim smiles all round. Battle-worn and scarred. Crossbows, axes and stakes raised in salute.

‘Let’s rock.’

Copyright Dale Rogerson

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).

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

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59 responses to “ONE LAST SHOW”

  1. Mister Bump UK Avatar
    Mister Bump UK

    Those famous farewell gigs… until the next one 🤣

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It seems bands find it hard to resist a reunion tour!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Mister Bump UK Avatar
        Mister Bump UK

        Having no other way of earning any dosh?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar
        Iain Kelly

        Cynical! 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  2. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    Menacing stuff, Iain. No doubt they had their reasons

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      The clues are there.

      Like

      Reply
  3. justjoyfulness Avatar
    justjoyfulness

    What? Was it a massacre concert?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ultraviolet light, wooden stakes and crossbows… it was a massacre of a certain species 😉

      Like

      Reply
  4. Tannille Avatar
    Tannille

    I feel like I want more… I’m terrible lol.
    PS. It ain’t over til the fat lady sings!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It gets messy 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    I think they’ve taken “hard rock” to a new level. This has an ominous feel to it. You’ve set the stage well.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Rochelle

      Like

      Reply
  6. ceayr Avatar
    ceayr

    Bang! Bang! Maxwell’s silver hammer…
    The day more than the music died!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Laughing 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  7. notestowomen Avatar
    notestowomen

    Sounds like it’s going to be a night of mayhem. This is taking “let’s rock” to a whole new level. And the no-shows will not escape by the sounds of it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      They will get to them later! Thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. notestowomen Avatar
        notestowomen

        You’re welcome 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Rowena Avatar
    Rowena

    And I’ve been concerned about Covid…
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It has masked the old familiar threats that we used to worry about, including vampires.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    Oy. Glad I wrote mine before reading yours!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Both explosive in our own ways!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. granonine Avatar
        granonine

        And now there are three, with “Beyond the Flow.”

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    Why is The Final Countdown playing in my mind?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      The perfect soundtrack!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Liz H Avatar
    Liz H

    Hard rock and heavy metal, indeed! There are easier ways to retire, undisturbed by fans….
    😱😱😱🙉🙈🙊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Got to go out with a bang!

      Like

      Reply
      1. Liz H Avatar
        Liz H

        …and a rattle of artillery…

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Dora Avatar
    Dora

    Fascinating prelude to anything but a concert. Someone’s out for blood! Whose side is “he” on, I wonder, or is he just the impresario?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Maybe there’s more than one side! Thanks Dora

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    “we’ll take care of them later” for the no-shows and the raised weapons, I have to suspect something more sinister is afoot than some geezers putting on a last concert. Nicely done!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Oh yeah, definitely sinister.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    I’d love to see them smoking under the spotlights as the band gets to work…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      That’s the spirit! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    Menacing, until you remember just who and what the victims are. Great take, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sandra 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  16. liz young Avatar
    liz young

    I wonder why so many of their enemies chose to accept their invitation – didn’t anyone have an inkling of danger?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I wonder what they had been promised – it sure wasn’t what they got!

      Like

      Reply
  17. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    I’ll pass on the invite to their next concert, thank you very much!!
    Good one!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      You sure? It’s a hell of a show!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        Hah! No, I’m good. I’d like to keep breathing for a little longer…

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar
    Na’ama Yehuda

    I hope some of those “no shows” will skedaddle where no one of these sees them. … 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Maybe they’ll come seeking revenge!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar
        Na’ama Yehuda

        Perhaps, eh?

        Liked by 1 person

  19. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    like they say, all things have to end one way or another.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. Danny James Avatar
    Danny James

    Scary stuff.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Danny

      Like

      Reply
  21. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar
    Brenda’s Thoughts

    I sure hope they get the no-shows. Just keepin’ the streets safe. Rock on!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s their duty. Thanks Brenda.

      Like

      Reply
  22. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    Oh Oh… that’s gonna be a gig to remember… Well not the audience… they won’t remember… oh dear

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      They will be remembered, but for all the wrong reasons!

      Like

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

    Rockers just can’t resist rockin’ one more time.
    It’s the roar of the crowd … addictive to artists.
    As a former dancer, I can’ tell you it never gets old.
    Nicely done, Iain, as always. Have a wonderful weekend … Be Safe 😷
    Isadora 😎

    Like

    Reply
  24. pennygadd51 Avatar
    pennygadd51

    Slash Rock, huh? Would the vampires be a metaphor for the way an adoring public eventually sucks the life from the band?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Could be! Thanks Penny.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  25. Nobbinmaug Avatar
    Nobbinmaug

    It’s hard to get repeat customers that way.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s a career-ending performance, one way or the other!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  26. Woman walking Max Avatar
    Woman walking Max

    You transform what looks like a wistful concert scene about to start into the massacre twist at the end. Quite creepy. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Like

      Reply
  27. Michele Jones Avatar
    Michele Jones

    Sounds like the population needed to be thinned. Loved this.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Michele, hope you are well.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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