PHOTO PROMPT © Janet Webb
In the floodwater, abandoned trollies looked like peculiar, angular wading birds.
They could have been robots, except they were immobile.
Staff paddled out in wellies to gather them up. They weren’t easy to push against the water, but damage limitation was essential. The store was literally ‘going under’. Anything that could be salvaged, would be sold to reduce the loss.
The owner, Tony, looked dolefully at his ruined stock and rued the day he had sunk everything into the business.
Capitalising on his misery, a man called out “Oi, mate. We offer industrial cleaning services.”
Tony’s reply was less than polite!
Word Count:101
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Clare Hempstead 
Even underwater, they still pull to one side!
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Haha! Yes they do. Thanks for reading and commenting
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One man’s loss is another man’s gain. I love how you describe everything with ‘sinking’ words. Poor Tony.
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Thanks very much 🙂
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I think you’re right about the angular wading birds.
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Thanks Sandra 🙂
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Dear Clare,
I love your use of metaphor. This poor guy’s going under in more ways than one, isn’t he? Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle 🙂
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Sadly this is so very true to life. Well told.
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Thanks very much Michael 🙂
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Oh poor Tony! Hope he finds some happiness.
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Thanks Louise 🙂
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“Literally going under” is right up my alley. Bravo!
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Thanks MrBinks – I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
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A deluge of punnery, great fun.
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Haha, thanks very much 🙂
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‘sunk everything into the project’ is a clever use of words! Poor Tony – there are far too many like him after the last few summers!
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Thanks Liz 🙂
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Hahaha! Yeah, my response would be less than polite as well. Nice one, Clare. The set up was perfect.
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Thanks very much 🙂
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Loved it!
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Thanks very much 🙂
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There is always someone waiting to capitalise on misery. Nicely done.
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Thanks for taking the time to read and comment 🙂
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Poor man. Industrial cleaning services won’t help him now. Good writing, Clare. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks Patricia
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