Since I’m back to blogging occasionally, I thought I’d once again try my hand at the weekly Friday Fictioneers prompt. This week’s photo prompt is courtesy of Rich Voza. The challenge is to write a response that’s circa 100 words; mine is about 130 words. You’ll find it below the break.
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He landed the plane in the midst of a radiant dawn.
It took much too long for the passengers to disembark, the stewardesses to scamper off, the copilot to drift away.
But finally, solitude was his.
He enjoyed these fleeting snatches of bliss, when he was alone with the plane, basking in the sunrise.
It renewed his vigor, his hope, even as the world worked to drain his vitality.
He unwrapped a cigar and slipped it into his mouth as he studied the swirling orange-and-yellow horizon.
He didn’t light the cigar; he merely liked to taste the stem, to chew it, as he pondered the indefinable essence of things.
He cracked open his notebook, jotted down a few impressions.
It was enough to sustain him for the day.
Very much enjoyed your piece. It was an interlude I have often had myself, minus the cigar, in the cockpit of my small submarine. passengers gone, end of the day, watching the sunbeams play off the plankton in the water outside the viewports. Very nice writing that captured the moment well.
Aloha,
Doug
Thank you. Those views in the submarine sound like something I would like seeing, too.
Nicely done; not the kind of reflective behaviour you imagine pilots engaging in.
Well, everyone’s different, I suppose, lol. Thanks.
I like this very much. Great to “see” you back here
Thanks! I’m glad you like it!
I do the same thing. Well without the cigar.
I wouldn’t do it with the cigar, either, lol. But for some reason it felt right to add the cigar.
As one who values solitude as a necessary part of her life, I enjoyed this story, although I don’t enjoy cigars. I have been known to indulge in more than one piece of very dark chocolate and a glass of Guinness or dry red wine on occasion.
janet
P.S. In these days of PC, don’t be surprised if the flight attendants come after you for that stewardesses remark.
“Flight attendants” wouldn’t have had the same cachet, lol. Besides, it’s the pilot’s way of viewing things, not mine.
Yeah, I’ve never had a cigar in my life, so I wouldn’t know. I need quite a bit of solitude, too.
I liked the pace of this, and enjoyed the fact that he didn’t actually smoke the cigar.
Thanks. I didn’t know whether he should smoke the cigar or not, but it felt more right for him not to, if that makes sense.
I could taste that cigar.
Nice. I’m glad the description worked well enough for that to happen.
Solitude is not understood by all. My wife gre up in a big family and solitude makes her nuts. I like it and sometimes find it hard to reach.
If I go too long without solitude, that makes me nuts, lol. It’s always nice when we can have a peaceful moment alone.
gave me a sense of solitude as I read it. nicely done.
Thank you!
Nice angle, well crafted.
Thank you very much!
I hope that real pilots get moments like that. I’ve always been fascinated by those planes, and what it would be like to fly one.
I think I’d be scared to try to learn how to fly one, lol. These moments would be nice for some real pilots.
Dear Angel,
I work in a store, dealing with sometimes difficult folks. Solitude is most precious to me. I related to your pilot on that level. The cigar gave him character. Very nice. Good to see you winging back among us.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks! I’m glad the cigar added something (besides words, lol).
I really enjoyed this. Is he people watching? Taking notes? Makes me think of a writer. Solitude can be very rewarding at times.
Thank you! I was thinking of him as perhaps a writerly type, or someone who has the spirit of a writer. I imagined him watching a blank horizon, although I guess he could be people-watching, too.
it’s a personal moment of strength and significance without the need for any conflict or story. just a nice, careful reflection. well done.
Thank you very much!
very welcome