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Malcolm, Mildred, Jason and Joy

Malcolm and Mildred had lived here for years. At first just a house, they’d eventually made it their home.

Mildred was pregnant, and if history (and the size of her tummy) were anything to go by, she was pregnant with septuplets. At this stage in proceedings Malcolm had taken on the role of hunter-gatherer. Every morning he’d be up early scratching around, looking for items that would sustain his ever-growing family. Lately things had been quiet. Times were tough.

Jason and Joy had lived here for years. At first it was their home, but the rat problem had become intolerable.

 

This piece was submitted as part of Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. 1 photograph. 100 words. Over 120 people taking part. And hey, if you still can’t get enough – why not check out my almost-FREE eBook, People Watching. US link here, UK link there.

old-wallpaper-mary-shipman

 

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65 responses to “Malcolm, Mildred, Jason and Joy”

  1. patriciaruthsusan

    Mr. Binks, Well written and humorous. Malcolm and Mildred might consider moving somewhere else as it sounds like Jason and Joy might be considering hiring an exterminator. 😦 Well done. 🙂 —Susan

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks Susan!

      Reply
  2. ReadItDaddy

    Awesome work, love the twist! (sort out the ‘buy’ typo tho 🙂

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Oh jeez! Good spot, sir.
      Thanks for reading (and editing) 🙂

      Reply
  3. FabricatingFiction

    Great twist – love it.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thank you 🙂

      Reply
  4. Snow’s Fissures and Fractures

    They were first there!!! Poor Malcom and Mildred.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      hehe 😀

      Reply
  5. etiennehanratty

    Hr

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      I concur.

      Reply
  6. etiennehanratty

    Great set-up; lovely twist.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Cheers. One day soon I’m going to write something without relying on a twist. The twist being that there is no twist. EAT YOUR HEART OUT M.NIGHT SHALAMALADINGDONG!

      Reply
      1. Courtney Wright

        M.NIGHT SHALAMALADINGDONG….LOL! Now that is funny!! 😀

  7. writeondude

    Well structured, very enjoyable.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Why thank you.

      Reply
  8. Sandra

    Great twist; I was heading that way at ‘septuplets’ though. I know what you mean about the ‘twist’ being almost ‘de rigeur’. I feel that about my own stuff. 🙂

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      I hereby promise not to do one next week. BUT… if I do do one, then that can be the twist of this comment! A-ha!

      Reply
  9. Courtney Wright

    I liked it! I like the two perspectives….well done! 🙂

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thank you very much 🙂

      Reply
  10. aliciajamtaas

    Lovely. I, too, kind of figured out the “rat” problem before the end. Still – wasn’t quite sure UNTIL the end.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      I’ve tried being subtle before – it doesn’t suit me 😉 Thanks for reading.

      Reply
      1. aliciajamtaas

        Sometimes subtle ain’t all its cracked up to be.

  11. appropriateadult

    Vote rat! I like the double story. Beautifully told.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Is it a choice of Vote Rat, or Vote Badger? If that’s the case…

      Reply
  12. paulmclem

    Clever stuff. Lol.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Oh I wouldn’t go that far, but thanks for reading.

      Reply
  13. Woman_on_Pause

    But it’s their home! 😉 I really enjoyed this read!

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      And I enjoyed reading your comment, thank you kindly.

      Reply
  14. hafong

    I understood the twist this time! I’m finding FF good for exercising my writing and my brain. Sometimes/often, I’m slow on the uptake. I think I’m getting a little quicker. 🙂

    Lily

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Maybe I wrote slower? ;-D

      Reply
  15. artfullyadelie

    What a clever and humorous twist. I was so engaged that I didn’t even see it coming (despite the septuplets reference). Fewer things are more troubling than a rat infestation. Ugh!

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  16. Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    I usually never sympathize with rats — but Malcolm and Mildred is a clear exception..

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      😀

      Reply
  17. helenmidgley

    I always chuckle at your characters name, even without your witty fiction 😉

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Seriously, I sit here every Wednesday morning trying to figure out a name I’ve not used and I’m sure that’s the longest part of the process!

      Reply
  18. siobhanmcnamara

    Well told. Not often I find myself rooting for the rats 😉

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks for reading!

      Reply
  19. JKBradley

    I was thinking post-apocalyptic, but rats works too.

    Well done, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      No, no. Thank YOU for commenting.

      Reply
  20. hugmamma

    Awesome! Definitely a mind-bender…at least for this often clueless senior.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Glad you liked it 🙂

      Reply
  21. hugmamma

    Reblogged this on hugmamma's MIND, BODY and SOUL and commented:
    Had to share this Friday Fictioneers piece. A mind-bender for sure…at least for this often clueless senior…
    ………hugmamma.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks for reblogging!

      Reply
  22. Jan Brown

    Rat-tastic! You are the king of writing in others’ (and other than human) voices!

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      So wait, I’m the RatKingâ„¢? Cool! 🙂

      Reply
  23. Karen Whitelaw

    I enjoyed this story, Mr Binks. Funny with a twist.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      That’s just how I like my wimin’.

      Reply
  24. Jessie Ansons

    Haha when I read the names I knew it’d be another classic Binks comedy. Oh that pesky rat problem!

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      🙂 Why thank you, ma’am.

      Reply
  25. elappleby

    You got me! and made me laugh
    thanks Mr Binks 🙂

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      He shoots, he scores!

      Reply
  26. talesfromthemotherland

    I never tire of your creative, fun twists, Mr. Binks. Very nice.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      How kind, thank you.

      Reply
  27. Nan Falkner

    Dear Mr. Binks, I vote rat too! Very interesting and entertaining story – you are really good at this prompt thing! Excellent! Thanks for amusing me! Nan 🙂

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks for reading, Nan!

      Reply
  28. Liz Young

    A clever twist to the story.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thank you!

      Reply
  29. Bastet

    Lovely … the point of view of the rat family, very nice indeed and a great take on the prompt. Georgia

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      Thanks for the kind comment, Georgia.

      Reply
      1. Bastet

        😉 don’t mention it Mr. Binks … it was very entertaining and gave me a smile.

  30. subroto

    Malcolm and Mildred might be in a bit of strife. It seems that the landlord will be evicting them soon.

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      🙂

      Reply
  31. Maree Gallop

    Very creative and funny, well done!

    Reply
    1. MrBinks

      That’s a lovely comment, thank you.

      Reply

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