It was on a Saturday. He didn't think of the man he killed when he went into the joint. Come to think of it, he didn't even think much of him during his stint. He'd used a hammer and, at the time, claimed it was self-defense. No one really knew.
But time passed and lawyers did what lawyers do. And he was released with time served.
More than half a million people in the country are released from prison every year. And they all need work.
Monkey wrench number two? He couldn't snag a job that required any kind of licensing. So that pretty much left out working as an accountant, ambulance driver, attorney, barber, nurse, physician, pharmacist, real estate agent or teacher. The world could breathe easier.
Eventually, he stumbled across an ad for a day laborer position at a profitable restoration company that specialized in religious statues and sculptures. The biggest outfit in the country. He appeared strong to the owner and was more than willing to work -- that's all that mattered and
he was hired on the spot.
They say the man upstairs works in weird ways. He started that job on a Saturday. His sole responsibility? To use a hammer and drive wooden spikes into the limbs of Jesus Christ on the hundreds of statues that needed repair.
He may not have thought about the man he killed before this job, but as he slammed that hammer into the first wrist, he knew that he would.
And every day thereafter.
Very nice. Ironies. Life is full of them. It lends this story credibility. And what an idea for a job, Ant, slamming stakes into Christ's limbs. Where you talking to Carrie this morning? ;-D Maybe that's what her neighbor upstairs was doing with a hammer.
ReplyDeleteWow. That really came around to bite him in the butt. Nice one.
ReplyDeleteDamn, Anthony. Oh, is it wrong to say damn with that picture of Jesus up there? That was a tight story with a great twist at the end. BTW, is that a real job? I could do that.
ReplyDeleteVery cool story. Quite a little twist in his life.
ReplyDeletethat one is a real thinker! Wonderful twist and I enjoyed the taut brevity.
ReplyDeleteShort and to the point (er, no pun intended). Yeah, irony's a bitch.
ReplyDeleteGreat story, Ant, and powerful.
Oh wow. I got the chills there. And your photos are great for perfectly setting the mood.
ReplyDeleteOh, Gracie... "to the point." *groan* But I like it. :)
Another great Venutolo flash. Nicely executed, Anthony. No mood music, though? :-)
ReplyDeleteYou such a great way of pulling the reader into your piece, then leaving them with a "bang"..
ReplyDeleteAnother fine story BB...
Delicious irony. Another nice, tight story. You really are the master of these.
ReplyDeleteAmazing work, Anthony. Absolutely amazing. And the twist at the end couldn't be any more perfect. Just a gripping story in a tight, condensed space like this. Fantastic work! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteI loved this—real life is a lot like this. The “man upstairs” does have a sick sense of humor; I’ve witnessed it many times. Great little flash, Anthony, and perfect pics for it too.
ReplyDeleteanother great one! when's the collected flash fiction coming out!
ReplyDeleteGot to keep whatever job you can get, but...
ReplyDeleteAn excellent story of karmic proportions.
ReplyDeleteAwesome pictures. Disturbing, too. :)
Great flash, short and to the point, hum. Love the irony, so well executed..:)
ReplyDeleteEdgy and ironic, perfect flash. And kinda disturbing. But that's the way I like my stories ;^) Peace...
ReplyDeleteTalk about life not being fair! Just because a guy kills someone with a hammer, he can't get a decent job. And then, just to hammer the message home, when he finally does get a job, it stirs up unpleasant memories.
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Anthony. You actually made me feel sympathy for the guy!
Found this one very disturbing... I think because of what it took to make the reality of his crime sink in.
ReplyDeleteWell written!
Well done, Anthony. The irony of his job is obvious, but it's cool that your character realizes that irony in the end. Some penance...
ReplyDeleteI love poetic justice. Great job.
ReplyDeleteWow, indeed. I think this job is exactly what he needed... religious people would say that "God works in mysterious ways" or something in the like. Ironic best sums it for me... love this piece, Sir.
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Mmmm... good job. Very tasty.
ReplyDeleteI like it.
ReplyDeleteHi Anthony - You're a kick-ass writer!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd it is strange how we're "drawn" or "pushed" where we need to be. Karma or Divine Intervention? It's good stuff. =D
Anthony, the irony dripped in that piece - i love it. I wonder how he came to kill the guy in the first place, he seemed sort of ambivalent, not riled up enough to kill somebody. But terrific story just the same :-)
ReplyDeleteOh. My. God. Ant, this story is incredibly chilling. Perfection.
ReplyDeleteVery different (that's a compliment).
ReplyDeleteOh, the irony of it all... :) Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteOuch. The picture of Christ increases the chill that came up my spine. He got a good job, considering. Glad to know he'd pay the price of the life he took, although he'd been released. The wheel turns, heh.
ReplyDeleteNice flash piece, and nice little twist at the end. Well done!
ReplyDeletePowerful, Anthony! Moralistic with kick-ass flavour. I really loved this one. NIce jolt.
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