tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post8316919379393264875..comments2024-03-08T15:14:31.312-05:00Comments on Landless: #FridayFlash: Simple GeometryTony Nolandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090583562737225942noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-21249834647270403072011-02-07T09:50:43.871-05:002011-02-07T09:50:43.871-05:00@Mari: Thanks! I'll add your vote to the "...@Mari: Thanks! I'll add your vote to the "yes" pool.<br /><br />@Stephen: He's an interesting guy, 13-C. Rational and ready to do what needs to be done.<br /><br />@Jessica: I'm glad you liked the pacing - I tried to do a measured reveal with this one.<br /><br />@AidanF: It's dehumanizing, isn't it? When they do introduce each other, it's typically first name only, which is only marginally better than seat number.<br /><br />@Monica: You'll never look at a compass the same way again!Tony Nolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090583562737225942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-59683529414352633432011-02-06T15:04:55.025-05:002011-02-06T15:04:55.025-05:00AHHH! That gave me the jibblies! Kind of want to s...AHHH! That gave me the jibblies! Kind of want to see where 13-C ends up in three years if his little ceremony worked.Monica Marierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03112762564137354581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-65533402283244390052011-02-06T12:32:17.625-05:002011-02-06T12:32:17.625-05:00Amusing use of seat names mirrors the way people t...Amusing use of seat names mirrors the way people talk on planes but rarely introduce their names. Clever ending.AidanFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09876041003278004627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-43011674570632157422011-02-06T09:50:16.061-05:002011-02-06T09:50:16.061-05:00I really enjoyed the way the details unfolded in t...I really enjoyed the way the details unfolded in this story. Even more, I enjoyed the way it ended. Well, "ended" being a relative term. Where the narrative stopped, let's say. I'd love to read more on it, but am having fun filling in further details as well. Thanks, well done.<br /><br />Take care,<br />JessAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-20963997178612190592011-02-06T00:06:14.208-05:002011-02-06T00:06:14.208-05:00Looks like our hero has enough smarts to possibly ...Looks like our hero has enough smarts to possibly make it. Well written, with plenty of details to stimulate the imagination. Add my vote to the sequel.Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04753736809917062955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-74101391668742370572011-02-05T16:14:50.181-05:002011-02-05T16:14:50.181-05:00Excellent story Tony, very gripping! I too would l...Excellent story Tony, very gripping! I too would like to see what comes of 13-C. Loved that you name the characters only by their seats, by the way!Marihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07303695124956391293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-30169833600755471552011-02-05T13:37:11.354-05:002011-02-05T13:37:11.354-05:00@Linda: I'm pleased that the number designatio...@Linda: I'm pleased that the number designation is working so well for everyone.<br /><br />@Sam: Thanks, Sam! I made sure to pin the graphic to the end of the story so you as the reader would see it just as 13-C started to draw it. Just a little bit of stagecraft to enhance the impact. 8-)<br /><br />@Virginia: I sometime withhold the names of characters for effect, although I wonder if it's an over the top literary device. I'm glad it worked for you here!<br /><br />@Icy: Thanks! It's funny, I didn't think of the fact that he might be mistaken for a robot or something initially. I guess I was so close to the story that I didn't see that interpretation. That might serve to enhance the all-to-human magical aspects, no? 8-)<br /><br />@Susan: The middle seats are statistically the safest seats in case of a crash. Safest, that is, in the sense that you're most likely to survive. Whether that's a good thing or not...Tony Nolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090583562737225942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-90664830523149393202011-02-05T12:56:49.152-05:002011-02-05T12:56:49.152-05:00I may never fly again! Referring to your hero as 1...I may never fly again! Referring to your hero as 13-C reminds me of Dr. House and his team member "Thirteen." Maybe 13 is a lucky number--then again maybe not. Do tell us what happens next so we can find out.Susan Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05076064230626935030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-71192753635082502152011-02-05T12:47:36.349-05:002011-02-05T12:47:36.349-05:00For a second, I thought this was scifi and the cha...For a second, I thought this was scifi and the character name was his model number or something, but then it dawned on me with a real "a-ha!" moment. Great stuff.Icy Sedgwickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11501193571425442406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-76808211867163831162011-02-05T11:08:25.677-05:002011-02-05T11:08:25.677-05:00Like others loved the way we realised why he was 1...Like others loved the way we realised why he was 13C. Not sure I like his solution to his problem!Very well paced...Virginia Moffatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12071059148315715405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-25788097482341368102011-02-05T09:52:55.614-05:002011-02-05T09:52:55.614-05:00Awesome, Tony! Excellent suspenseful writing and ...Awesome, Tony! Excellent suspenseful writing and some great misdirection. I spent the whole story wondering where geometry came into the proceedings until I reached your final paragraph and accompanying graphic simultaneously; the pic was positioned perfectly to generate maximum impact on this particular computer monitor. I too wish there was more.Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00361651251233078437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-71860307919677116052011-02-05T09:34:26.707-05:002011-02-05T09:34:26.707-05:00@John: I'm glad you liked it. I pictured 15-C ...@John: I'm glad you liked it. I pictured 15-C as being in shock, with the stupor from massive head trauma. However, since I'm not a doctor, I'll admit that's entirely possible that this isn't realistic or even possible. Fortunately, we all get to make stuff up, don't we? Writers FTW!<br /><br />@Steve: Thanks! What I like about this piece (if I can comment on my own work) is that up to this point, there's no magic, just a guy in extremis who's going to put his faith in the power of prayer. This is all pure realism; the black magic is just implied.<br /><br />@PJ: One "yes", duly noted!<br /><br />@Maria: Thanks!<br /><br />@Kath: The depersonalization of the seat numbers adds insult to injury, doesn't it? And your vote is logged, too.<br /><br />@dijeratic: Wow, you are too kind! Lovecraft and Rod Serling are fantastic company to be in - thanks!<br /><br />@flyingscribbler: I've been on enough flights to overhear how the cabin crew refers to the passengers; I thought it would be an effective way creep-out to extend that normal practice into this horrible situation. It looks like I succeeded for you!Tony Nolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090583562737225942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-82315760294523986032011-02-05T09:28:46.085-05:002011-02-05T09:28:46.085-05:00Love how you made the piece emotionally distant by...Love how you made the piece emotionally distant by boiling everyone down to seat numbers. Gripping stuff. Sure, write the sequel. Peace...Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01110078016784294934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-83786990505865108722011-02-05T07:13:27.708-05:002011-02-05T07:13:27.708-05:00As you can imagine Tony, this story is a tad close...As you can imagine Tony, this story is a tad close to the bone for an airline professional like myself, and this is one flight where I would have been happy working in economy. The amount of vodka 13c drank would certainly have numbed the horror somewhat. I also like the characters as seat number structure you used. It is just how it is in the business and so feels very authentic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-13641493685652399602011-02-05T01:15:57.624-05:002011-02-05T01:15:57.624-05:00Bit of a latter-day Lovecraft here, really - with ...Bit of a latter-day Lovecraft here, really - with a splash more black humor. You really should be the next Rod Serling. Great stuff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-31244834861043785542011-02-04T22:00:34.849-05:002011-02-04T22:00:34.849-05:00Great flash! I thought it was going to be futurist...Great flash! I thought it was going to be futuristic with his name but the plane crash seat designations were inspired. Gruesomely sticky and sick - I want to know what shape his geometry takes next!Kathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12719765628886270649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-8949801842137958702011-02-04T21:38:39.122-05:002011-02-04T21:38:39.122-05:00This is a sick ass flash! Love it! I don't thi...This is a sick ass flash! Love it! I don't think it's going to be cold for long. Just a hunch.Joz Varlohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12750541029227514781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-40403569782342645572011-02-04T19:10:32.845-05:002011-02-04T19:10:32.845-05:00Count me as a "yes" vote for a sequel! B...Count me as a "yes" vote for a sequel! But the odds seem to b against our poor friend 13c... I'm afraid it might not have a happy ending. Good flash, Tony!PJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07521953491880916840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-51157011544057060492011-02-04T17:38:53.379-05:002011-02-04T17:38:53.379-05:00Nice gritty plane crash aftermath, the black magic...Nice gritty plane crash aftermath, the black magic reference gives a nice and unusual twist to the story.Steve Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18414279461366098783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-20945892232979013442011-02-04T15:26:58.888-05:002011-02-04T15:26:58.888-05:00@Four Part: I'd intended this to be a standalo...@Four Part: I'd intended this to be a standalone. Tell you what, though... if you can get twenty people to comment a request for a sequel, I'll continue the story.<br /><br />@icb4: Thanks - if I do get the Shorty Award, I'll know who got the ball rolling!<br /><br />@fictdoodles: I love your comment!<br /><br />@FAR: Yeah, I'm kind of wondering what he's going to offer in trade for his salvation.<br /><br />@Gracie: He's in a tough spot, that's for sure. Hope the eye thing wasn't too nasty!<br /><br />@lara: Being reduced to an animal would be bad enough. Being reduced to a seat number is even worse.<br /><br />@aldersprig: <i>Your fiction never fails to gutpunch.</i> Thanks - so long as that means you'll be back for more?<br /><br />@Ezzy: You and Gracie can get together with a night light. 8-)<br /><br />@Danni: Thanks! This was a study in a man being driven to an extreme, but retaining his rationality and will to live. As for John... NO CAMPING.Tony Nolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090583562737225942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-29790549827273642992011-02-04T15:25:11.939-05:002011-02-04T15:25:11.939-05:00Very graphic but gripping, Tony. I like a lot of w...Very graphic but gripping, Tony. I like a lot of what you did here. I have one small quibble, in that I think 15-C would have been in too much pain to just sit in a stupor for 2 days. Then again, I've never been in a situation like that, so I don't know how someone with those kind of injuries would react. Very good story, though, as usual!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08236529774839136879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-3236764985426689612011-02-04T15:18:12.372-05:002011-02-04T15:18:12.372-05:00Nice job this week, Tony. I loved that even the mc...Nice job this week, Tony. I loved that even the mc doesn't have a name.<br /><br />As for your reply to John, I've actually said that exact same thing to him after his comment on my Friday the 13th flash.Danielle La Pagliahttp://www.daniellelapaglia.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-21712298653684079822011-02-04T14:30:54.940-05:002011-02-04T14:30:54.940-05:00Quite the vivid piece piece. I think I'll have...Quite the vivid piece piece. I think I'll have nightmares, now. : )Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00038885104845754639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-27825048998096597092011-02-04T13:37:47.291-05:002011-02-04T13:37:47.291-05:00Your fiction never fails to gutpunch.Your fiction never fails to gutpunch.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797188666559531190.post-66524979639129703442011-02-04T13:22:08.109-05:002011-02-04T13:22:08.109-05:00I love that everyone's name is the seat number...I love that everyone's name is the seat number on the plane. 13C has quite a task ahead of him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com