Image by washuugenius via Flickr
This one seemed a bit reminiscent of an earlier drabble I did, so I opted for an alternate meaning for one of the theme elements. I almost skipped this prompt in favor of a different one but decided to remain true to my plan and gut it out.
“What if you’re going to write a story about power with a policeman as the main character and an old pair of shoes as the key object? Set your story in the operating room.”
The OR lights winked out; equipment whined as it powered down.
“No power other than backup lighting? Strange.”
“Good thing we hadn’t started.”
The door swung open and a man burst in. He wore a rumpled trench coat and clenched an unlit cigar in his teeth.
“You can’t come in here!” A nurse bustled to intercept him but halted when he and a second man flashed police badges.
“Sorry to interrupt. Everyone please remove and hand your shoes to my associate. One of you is an imposter, a killer with a distinctive tread pattern about to cover his tracks, literally.
Whew, that one was work! Can you tell I was an old Columbo fan? I really need to write a cozy.
And purists, please don’t tell me the cop needed a search warrant to require them to remove their shoes. Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t. I don’t research 100 word ditties, so just suspend any disbelief you might have. Sorry.
Claire Gillian 