What this prompt is all about is opening a book to a random place and without looking point to a page. The word or words closest to the pointing finger is the prompt. I opened The Last Drive to page 67 and the word “glances” was closest to my finger.
Glances by John W. Howell © 2023
The thief glances sideways to check who is walking near the stylish young woman with the Goyard bag on her shoulder and clicking Louboutin heels. Satisfied there appears to be no superhero among the disinterested-looking crowd on 5th Avenue, the plan in his head is okay. A quick pass on the strap with a razor-sharp stiletto knife will cause the bag to slip toward the street. A fast pickup and he will probably be on his way before she realizes the purse is gone.
He takes a deep breath and pushes the button that releases the blade from the hilt. A momentary glint of the sun hitting the stainless edge of the blade reflects off the woman’s sunglasses. She glances his way, and he knows he must move fast. He is sure she will not put together the sun flair, and his intention on taking her bag. Comforted with this belief, he closes the slight distance between them with the knife concealed by his side. The strap is on her right shoulder, and since he is righthanded, he will have to make a cross-body movement that will end with an upward slash on the part of the strap near her back. The bag itself will drop, and he will need to grab it at almost the same time as the cut. If it hits the street, time will be lost picking it up, not to mention someone stepping on it.
The time has come, and he raises his hand to make his move. The woman senses his movement and glances over her shoulder. Her eyes lock onto his with enough strength he hesitates for a millisecond. His strike with the knife is off-target slightly, and the strap remains secure. The woman turns and, with the power of many hours spent with free weights and Tie Quan Do, connects her elbow with the man’s jaw. He hits the pavement like a prizefighter about to be counted out.
She stands over him, and a crowd begins to form. He opens his eyes and tries to speak. He is still confused after the blow to his chin. “Stay down,” the woman warns. He rests his head back on the concrete and glances to his right to confirm the noise of a winding down siren is from a police car on the street near him. The uniformed officer and EMS are intent on reaching him. The woman holds her bag with the almost cut strap for them to view.
He thinks about hoping they don’t find the knife and also thinks about the half-empty glass of luck that got him here. He wonders why an honest thief cannot count on beautiful women being helpless these days. The officer’s words come out of a haze, and he bearly hears the warning not to move. He wonders why the EMS guy keeps yelling, “Stay with me, buddy.” It is then that he realizes he has fallen on his knife. The word ‘petard’ flashes through his mind as all thoughts enter the dark.
Fiction Favorites 
Nice twist (of the knife?😃) John 👍
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Gotta be careful around those things. Thanks, Chris. 😁
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Dear John,
we enjoyed reading your text 🙂
Thanks for sharing
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you F4oC for letting me know you liked it. 😁
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Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy…you go girlfriend🙅
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Thank you, Jim. 😁
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Whoa, he turned out to be stupid in more ways than one! 🤪
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Yes he did. Thanks, GP.
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Great story today.
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Thank you, Craig. Glad you liked it. 😊
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A perfect ending to the story! That’ll teach him.
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Trying to prey on what he thought was an easy mark. Yes, that’ll teach him. 😁
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That was a great twist, John! It was a good ending and story.
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Thank you, Deborah. So nice to hear. 😁
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Very nicely done, John. I like the added twist.
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Thanks, Dan. I’m gals you liked it. Thanks for letting me know.
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So different from your usual humorous tales, but so powerful. I really enjoyed this one. Bravo!
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Thank you, Staci. I wanted to try a little prose and let the prompt take me to where I ended up.
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Fun flash, John!
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Thank you, Vera. So glad you liked it. 😊
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Good one, John, with a sharp ending. The idiot thinks it is bad luck that put him in the situation, not smart enough to know it is training and preparation.
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The funny thing about crooks is they are never the sharpest knife in the drawer. (pun intended.)
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That sure seems to be the case, John. 🙂
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😁
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No funny business today. I enjoyed your story. Well done.
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Thank you, Tom. 😁
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Justice served at his own hand. Great story, John!
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The balance has been restored. Thanks, Jan.
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Brilliant short story, John! It’s a hard living nowadays, isn’t it? Might have to consider, if he makes it, a different kind of way to create income…
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Yes he need to concentrate on that for the next life. Thanks, Dale.
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For sure. This one is not working for him!
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Yes, Indeed.
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🙂
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You made a good point that woman aren’t helpless 🙂
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Thank you, Denise. I believe that and raised my daughters to believe it as well.
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Great story, John. I love the twist. Perfect! 🎉🎉
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Thank you, Gwen. I appreciate your lovely comment.
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Well hoisted!
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Thank you, Pam. 😁
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Nicely done, John. (And who says you can’t write a story with NO dialog?!!) Interesting take on your finger point word, too.
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Thank you, Dennie. I try to use these prompts for practice sessions. Glad you liked it.
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Oh, dear, what a twist! The man was his own worst enemy 😉
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Yes, he was. Thanks, Marie.
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This was great, John!
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Thank you, Jill.
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You’ve crafted some noir with this tale of crime’s pointed end, Boss.
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Yes. I wanted to tap the dark. Thanks, Marc.
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You did a hell of a job.
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Thank you, Marc.
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Nice job! Or should I say “jab”? I didn’t see that coming. 😉
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Thank you, Laura. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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I didn’t see the ending coming, John. Well done!
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Thank you, Jennie
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You’re welcome, John.
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Ah, very neat John. Nicely captured and indeed one can hear a whole legion of petards being hoisted…
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Thank you, Geoff. I enjoyed going into a dark spot.
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