Friday 27 January 2012

Thirty Ninth Friday Flash: The Travel Agent



Image Source

He was itching to go somewhere, anywhere away from his humdrum life, somewhere with colour and life. Most of all he wanted to get away from his boss and family, who never seemed to give him a break. They always had some demand or other, that was when he spotted an “Anytime, Any Place” travel agent sign. The sign looked old and peeling, but it was still more appealing than the razzle-dazzle travel agent next door. He went up the stairs to the small offices. An old woman in a tie dye t-shirt and flowery dress greeted him from behind her desk. The walls were plastered with travel memorabilia from around the world.

She smiled and rubbed her hands together. “Tea?”

“Oh, yes please!”

The lady prepared the tea.

“That's a Sylvanian tea strainer isn't it?”

“Yes, very good eye, I collect them.”

“I collect a few myself.”

“Excellent, milk?”

“Just a spot.”

She expertly tipped the pint of milk to deliver the desired amount.

With tea in hand she got down to business. “So I understand you need a break?”

“I would love one.”

“Anything in mind?”

“Somewhere where I can do my my own thing,” Joe replied sipping his tea.

“Somewhere where you can feel like somebody?”

“Yes!”

“Then I have the perfect place for you.”

“Tell me more.”

“I will do better, I will show you.”

He put down his half finished tea and followed her to a door behind her desk, a very plain door that had a pentagram carved into it.

"What's that symbol for?"

"Oh the previous tenants, they were a bit kooky."

"It must have been a long time ago."

“A very long time ago, but we don't have time to dilly-dally, now close your eyes.”

“That's silly.”

“It won't work If you don't.”

He shrugged and closed his eyes. She took his hand and they took a step forward through the door, there was a lot of rushing wind sounds.

“Do not open your eyes!”

He scrunched his eyes up tighter. A few moments later he could smell and hear horses.

“Go on, open them.”

He was in a carriage, a grand and ornate carriage. “Where are we?”

“Godollo, Hungary, you're on your way to your palace.”

“My palace?”

“Yes, indeed. There are some drawbacks though.”

His stomach dropped. “Yes? It's all a dream isn't it? You drugged my tea?”

“No, no, very much real,” she replied with a laugh. A very deep laugh that made Joe drawback a little.

“You're now the eighteen year old Empress Elizabeth, and will suffer a tragic death.”

He looked down, his arms were milky and delicate and he was wearing a golden dress. “When?”

“Many years from now.”

Elizabeth smiled. “It doesn't seem bad to me.”

“It doesn't, but once you're done you will be my servant forever.”

“Not burn in hell?”

“Nah, that's just a myth, but believe me it's no vacation.”

She shrugged, “I can live with that, but say what happened to the previous Elizabeth? Not hurt or anything I hope?”

“Oh, not at all, she will be back any second now to take back control of her body.”

“No! You can't!”

Joe felt helpless and horrified as he lost control, he could feel every sense, but not control any of them.”

The old woman smiled wickedly. “Enjoy the ride!”

17 comments:

  1. Oh wow, I have to remember to not deal with any travel agents with pentagrams on the floor!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I was hoping the kooky previous occupants would pop up. At the worst, this life is different.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great last line. Enjoy the ride, indeed :) Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great last line. Enjoy the ride, indeed :) Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nothing good ever follows a pentagram, I've come to learn!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Interesting concept - will make me re-evaluate any future dealings with travel agents!!! good work

    ReplyDelete
  7. You probably don't do fluff... but I'm giving you a Sunshine Award. Check out my latest post if you want to claim it. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mind-blowing premise. I like the casual-ness of the dialogue and the way that the truth to the lies peeks through by the end.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I got this site from my buddy who told me regarding this web site
    and now this time I am visiting this website and reading very informative articles at this place.
    Also see my site - how to become rich fast

    ReplyDelete
  11. Malaysia & Singapore & brunei ultimate on the internet blogshop for wholesale & quantity korean accessories, accessories, earstuds, locket,
    rings, bracelet, trinket & hair add-ons. Promotion 35 % wholesale discount. Ship Worldwide
    Feel free to visit my web blog : enter for more info

    ReplyDelete
  12. Valuable info. Lucky me I discovered your site by accident, and I am surprised why this twist of fate didn't came about earlier! I bookmarked it.
    Feel free to surf my web site replica Pro beats headphones by dre

    ReplyDelete
  13. If some one needs to be updated with latest technologies therefore he must be pay a visit this web page and be up to date every day.
    my site > best weight loss plan Miami

    ReplyDelete
  14. Poxet 60 mg contains 60 mg of dapoxetine hydrochloride, it essentially deals with the synaptic hole of neurons, invigorating them to extend the time of ejaculation. This is finished by restraining the activity of serotonin take-up, when the measure of serotonin builds it prompts better ejaculatory activity at the hour of sexual intercourse. dapoxetine poxet 60 is a fruitful medication that is treating 1,000,000 instances of untimely ejaculation.

    ReplyDelete