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No Smoking

There had been no smoking in Workshop for about 30 years now. No alcohol, no music, no dancing, no sexual activity of any kind and bizarrely no Swiss cheese fondue. Those that would dare to flounce the laws tended to go a bit missing shortly thereafter.

To suggest that people had objected to these strange rules would be to put it lightly. To say that this was, without a doubt, the reason that 100% of the village had moved on to pastures new would be very astute.

Still, Lord Jonah Lincoln preferred it that way.
He never did like people.

claire-fuller-2

Submitted for Friday Fictioneers photo prompt. See if you can write a piece of flash fiction in 100 words.

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52 responses to “No Smoking”

  1. appropriateadult

    A jolly tale of Puritan values. Nice.

    Reply
  2. victoriabruce

    You have made me crave sticky cheese fondue! Fabulous.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      My work here is done.

      Reply
      1. victoriabruce

        I settled for Macaroni and Cheese.

  3. sustainabilitea

    That’s one way to get rid of everyone. But no fondue. Really, that’s rather Draconian! 🙂

    janet

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      This world of ours is full of many mean people.

      Reply
  4. Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    I could live with all, save that harsh anti-cheese sentiments…

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      They always overstep the mark.

      Reply
  5. yarnspinnerr

    This is an eXcellent take on this prompt. 🙂

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Why thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Sandra

    An original take on the prompt, the inclusion of swiss cheese was a master stroke.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      hahaha, master stroke? Just a random moment surely? 🙂

      Reply
  7. helenmidgley

    What, no cheese fondue, no wonder they left, lol 🙂

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      I know, right?!

      Reply
  8. silentlyheardonce

    An original and entertaining take on this prompt.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Why thank you. *tips hat*

      Reply
  9. lingeringvisions by Dawn

    No sex is one thing but no cheese? Yeah I would leave too!

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      It’s wrong I know, but reading your comment certain words pop out. I now can’t shake the words “Sex cheese”.

      I apologise.

      Reply
  10. kz

    no…. i love cheese! great original take on the photo, and Lord Jonah Lincoln is an interesting (though not very likeable) character 🙂

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks kz!

      Reply
  11. etiennehanratty

    Nice one.

    Reply
  12. Nan Falkner

    You are so clever – Thanks for the story! Nan

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Clever? Not sure I’ve ever been accused of that. Silly? Yes. – thanks for reading.

      Reply
  13. rochellewisoff

    Dear Mr. Binks,

    At least you didn’t say ‘no coffee’. That would’ve been the absolute deal breaker. Good story.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      That would just be taking the… er… beans.

      Reply
  14. Riya Anne Polcastro

    Only “a bit” missing? Cute story! And I’m hungry now 🙂

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Yay! You found my favourite bit 🙂

      Reply
  15. storydivamg

    The mention of “no Swiss cheese fondue” reminds me of a flash fiction story from Jim Crace. Fondue in the workplace does have the habit of going terribly wrong.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      I shall google dear Jim right away. (ppsstt, did you know you can get Google on computers now!!)

      Reply
  16. David Stewart

    Monsieur Binks,
    it sounds like Lord Lincoln found the perfect formula for driving people away. I’d think there would be easier ways to be by yourself, but I guess everyone needs a hobby. 🙂
    -David

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      😀 thanks for reading, David!

      Reply
  17. liz young

    Was he born a lord or did he simply assume it? One could almost feel sorry for the old grouch.

    Reply
  18. Helena Hann-Basquiat

    Reminds me of Monty Python, when the guy keeps interrupting the sketches and saying “Stop this! You’re being SILLY!”
    I’m not writing this week, but I’d love it if you’d drop by my blog for a second anyway, I posted a big announcement today.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      To be compared to the great Python, nice…

      Reply
  19. Linda Vernon

    Ha ha! No swiss fondue. Well that’s enough to make anyone move away! Fun story.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks, Linda.

      Reply
  20. patriciaruthsusan

    I enjoyed your story. It was very original. I love reading the work of other wirters.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      I do try to think outside the typewriter. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the kind comment.

      Reply
  21. camgal

    Nicely done, loved the infused humour 🙂

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      🙂 Thank you!

      Reply
  22. atrm61

    Good Lord!He deserved to be alone with his strange rules-no cheese-ha!A fun read MB:-)

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks for reading 🙂

      Reply
      1. atrm61

        🙂

  23. Bastet

    Good story…an interesting association with No Smoking!

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Cheers 🙂

      Reply
      1. Bastet

        CIao! 😀

  24. patrickprinsloo

    Lovely story. Just how many rules do we need?

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Oh but think of a world without rules! It would be like… er… the cinema on a Saturday morning!

      Reply
  25. tinkerbelle96

    Smart people. I hope they’re in a happier place now, one where cheese fondue is provided abundantly.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      The land of cheese!

      Reply
  26. freyathewriter

    I’m afraid the cheese-related ban would have been one step too far for me! Loved this tale 🙂

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Same here.

      Thank you kindly.

      Reply

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