Twenty-Fifth Friday Flash: The Red Carpet

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Morsai exited her limo. Flashing lights exploded all around her. Her chauffeur and bodyguard Gerald helped her to her feet. She felt nervous and excited. All these people were there to see her on her big night, the première of her first movie “Dying on the inside”, a biopic about her rise from banishment from her people to stardom in the human world.

“What does it feel like to be the first elf to star in a major movie?” shouted one of the reporters over the din.

“Great, thank you.” But her voice was soft and she doubted if anyone heard.

The police were having a hard time keeping everyone off the red carpet. Even though it had been fifteen years since her banishment she still felt awkward around so many humans.

When they were about halfway up to the theater a lot of loud shouting broke out. Gerald took her arm and pulled her faster towards the theater, frightened, Morsai looked down and followed as quickly as she could in her tight fitting dress.

She was suddenly jerked back. Gerald was on the floor. A dagger sticking out of his chest.

“No!”

Before she could crouch next to him someone grabbed her forcefully.

“Thought you could get away with this did you? Make fools of our people?”

There was no mistaking his voice. “Husband?”

“Shut up traitor. You abandoned us. Our family. Everyone.”

The police had surrounded them, but no one made a move. The tall and black clad elf was holding a knife to Morsai's throat.

“I had no choice. I couldn't live by those ways anymore. It was killing me.”

“It's too late for words.” He brought the knife in closer.

“Please don't!”

A few shots were fired. The elf collapsed. Morsai hugged herself. People came in to comfort her. She pushed them away.

“Fools! Don't you know this means war?”

She looked down at the elf prince. Even though the mad old king had more offspring than he could remember he would not let one of them die unavenged.

My Sixth Friday Flash: Chicken or Beef?

Her eyes blazed with anger. The airlines ticket agent stared back at her impassively and pointed at the sign above, which said No Trolls Allowed. "I'm sorry Ma'am, there's nothing I can do." 

"Do you know how long it took to get a suit that fitted him so he wouldn't look out of place in business class?" 

The man sighed. "I don't make the rules, besides he has a large bone through his nose." 

Terence the troll snorted. "You can't do this!" shouted Alice Samson bashing her fist against the counter. "He has every right to be on that plane!" 

 "My deepest apologies, would you still like your seat? If you have a carrier we can load up your friend in the cargo bay." 

"Outrageous!" 

As calm as ever the agent pointed at a door behind him. "If you like, you can speak to the manager. The queue is beginning to back up." 

Alice looked behind here. There were about twenty people behind them. "Fine!" Grabbing Terence's hand she pulled him around the counters and knocked rapidly on the door. There was no reply. Fuming, Alice snatched the door open and pulled Terence in. His seven and half foot bulk having to duck down and squeeze in his shoulders to fit in. 

"Hey! Who are you?" asked a thin man with black hair and a look of distain on his face. "I'm a pissed off customer that's who I am!" 

"I'll call you back," said the man putting his phone down. Breathing in deeply he smiled and inter-weaved his fingers. "Now, how may I help you young lady?" 

 Alice didn't like the man already. She hated being called young lady. "Your butthead of an agent said my troll can't join me on the flight." 

"I can assure you my agents don't have butts for heads, and I'm sorry to say he's right." The man's words were dripping with sweetness, which upset Alice even more. 

"It's not fair!" Terence could feel the tension. The veins in his neck were bulging and pulsating. He didn't like seeing Alice upset. She gripped his arm in an effort to cool him down. 

The manager quickly glanced at the troll. Seeming to sneer at his pin-stripe suit and the briefcase he held in his hand. A brief case that was dwarfed by his massive hand. 

"It's company policy, trolls in the past have damaged our seats and planes. Sometimes causing thousands in damage." 

"Not Terence!" 

"We are in the process of building planes with special reinforced seats." 

"Not good enough." The manager got out of his seat and walked towards them. I've had enough of your sass young lady. Now I will have to ask you to leave before I call security." 

 "No, you will get me on that plane or I will scream!" Alice stamped her foot. 

 A tick developed in the man's jaw. "Didn't your parents teach you any manners?" 

"My parents have nothing to do with this." 

Fed up the manager took her by the shoulder to lead her out. 

"No Terence!" Before she could do anything to stop him Terence picked up the man by throat and slammed him against the wall. Alice pulled Terence away. 

The man groaned and slumped to the floor. "Terence very sorry..." said the troll glumly. 

"Ah, it's okay, I didn't like him anyway," said Alice. "Looks like we will have to rent a car again." 

"Terence driving!" said the Troll his big brown eyes widening with excitement. 

"Do you remember the last time you drove?" 

"Terence broke the steering wheel..." His shoulders slumped. 

"One day we will buy you a tank or something," she said patting him on the back. "For now the faster we get out of here the better." 

The End