Sometimes people ask how can you write a story in only 100 words? Is it really a story or more like a joke, mostly punchline? The secret to writing shorter fiction is using allusion, like the poets used to do. Every part, from the title to the bio, is an opportunity to send secret information. Does the reader have to get every reference? Certainly not, but some of it is going to seep through. Here is an example with all the parts clearly labeled.
RETIRED AT LAST
By Nicholas(1) Milton(2)
He had worked a long time, but now he was done, to pursue other interests, such as fiddle playing(3).
The three young men who pushed open his door were carrying knives. “Give us your money, fool!”
He handed them five hundred in cash.
“You’re holdin’ out on us, old man! That fiddle looks like it’s made of gold(4). We’ll take that.”
“No, you won’t.” He still had a little of the old pepper so he burned them to ash with a snap of his fingers. He played a jaunty tune to accompany their souls as they promenaded down to Hell(5).
Nicholas Milton lives at 616(6) Old Scratch Avenue(7), New Orleans, Louisiana(8). He is a data consultant for a major corporation(9).
NOTES
(1)The author’s name had to be Nicholas for one of the Devil’s nicknames is Old Nick.
(2) Milton for a last name for it was poet John Milton who gave us the heroic Lucifer in Paradise Lost. The image above the story is William Blake’s version of that character.
(3) The Devil is known, in American folklore especially, for his contests of skill. From “The Devil and Daniel Webster” to Charlie Daniels Band. If you beat him you get your wish.
(4) The Devil’s fiddle is made of gold to symbolize greed. It is also attractive to home invaders I would suspect.
(5) The plot of this story isn’t particularly new. Lovecraft used it in “The Terrible Old Man”. The final line was needed to tie it altogether: the reveal, the fiddle, and add just a dash of black humor to the mix.
(6) I had originally made it 666 but that seemed just too obvious. 616 is an alternate “Number of the Beast” and if added together equals 13.
(7) Old Scratch is another nickname of the Devil. People used to fear that saying his real name would summon him so they came up with these alternates.
(8) I made Milton’s home in New Orleans because of the rich traditions in that area around the Devil as well as the Cajun-style music that uses fiddles. Charlie Daniels chose Georgia but what can you do?
(9) Of course he works for a major corporation. What could be more evil?
Copyright G. W. Thomas