Chicago Shall Rise Again (microfiction)




Tomlinson raged to his feet, scattering the table and playing cards.

“Cheater!” he hollered at O’Leary.

“Go home, Tomlinson, you’re drunk!”

As Tomlinson stumbled toward the barn door, his foot knocked over the lantern.

For three days, Chicago burned.

Tomlinson blamed O’Leary’s cow.

Nobody alive could contradict him.




Writing prompt: Write a story in exactly 48 words that includes a lantern

Comments

  1. HemaFebruary 7, 2019 at 2:55 AM

    I love how you've written such wonderful characters in such a small space. Really nice.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 7, 2019 at 6:18 AM

    Wonderful little story. The characters feel very real.
    Sara

    ReplyDelete
  3. StacieFebruary 7, 2019 at 6:21 AM

    I love that you pulled your story from history. Well-executed too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. kalpana solsiFebruary 7, 2019 at 8:33 AM

    The main character is alive to tell the story and shift the blame too. neat story.

    ReplyDelete
  5. NateFebruary 7, 2019 at 9:59 AM

    Oh, I'm a sucker for historical fiction.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownFebruary 7, 2019 at 10:22 AM

    I love this! So much story in such few words! This is microprose at its best! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  7. LaissezFaireFebruary 7, 2019 at 6:01 PM

    Chicago burning! Smart to draw upon an event and then let it burrrrn.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The Dark NetizenFebruary 7, 2019 at 8:12 PM

    Whoa!
    This shifted gears do quick! Great historical fiction! :D

    ReplyDelete
  9. Katie E.February 8, 2019 at 9:39 AM

    I really enjoy the characters and the historical fiction setting! Great use of the prompt.

    ReplyDelete

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