Category: short story

Putting the spark back in

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She pushed the food around her plate 

Glancing around the restaurant at couples engaged in conversation

Her husband was looking at his phone

She excused herself and went to the ladies room

Looking into the mirror she saw tears in her eyes

A black lady entered and saw those tears

Honey whatever is wrong? she asked

My husband ignores me and just looks at his phone all the time she replied

The black lady looked her in the eyes and said Honey we gonna fix that so lemme help you with your makeup

The black lady expertly applied heavy eye shadow and bright red lipstick

Honey you gotta undo a few buttons on your blouse to show off them girls she said with a big smile

The black lady then asked for her phone

Lean forward and pout while I take ya picture 

Now gimme your man’s number

She read out loud as she typed the text

YOUR WIFE JUST LEFT

REPLY YES IF YOU WANT ME TO SPEND THE NIGHT WITH YOU

His reply flashed back in an instant

Now honey, you gonna do exactly as I tell you said the black lady

She listened intently before returning to her table

Her husband smiled as she approached

She leaned forward and told him to hand over his phone

He was in shock that she was talking to him in such a dominant tone as he handed it over

She told him you might get it back after breakfast if you are a good boy tonight

She said there will be no TV tonight and you must do what you are told

Of course he answered would you like anything else to eat?

I don’t want dessert but you can order me an Irish coffee

Now entertain me with interesting conversation she commanded

He started to compliment her looks as he gazed into her eyes

When the bill came she picked it up and demanded his credit card

She wrote on the bill include the meal for the black lady near the window

She signed the credit card receipt and added a 50% tip

Her husband glanced at the card as she slipped it inside her bra

I am keeping this for a while for some shopping and a spa day

You can drive me home now, there will be no TV tonight

As they were leaving she glanced around the restaurant

The black lady winked at her

She noticed her husband was driving home with a little extra speed

getting lost forever in a book at bedtime

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she always read a book at bedtime

a good story captured her imagination

thrillers made her grip the sheets hard

while her sleeping husband snored

she often read late into the night

as stories took her all over the world

to far away exotic intriguing places

while her sleeping husband snored

melancholic stories made her sad

following the tragedies of others

occasionally she shed a few tears

while her sleeping husband snored

steamy romantic chapters kept her awake

young lovers tangled in each others arms

reminiscing of times when her own bed rocked

while her sleeping husband snored

detective stories kept her guessing

who was it that killed the duke

the sleuth uncovered all the hidden clues

while her sleeping husband snored

a lone sailor lost at sea

kept her awake worrying for his safety

would the writer chose to save him

while her sleeping husband snored

a gruesome murder story shocked her

she felt the stabbing pain of the victim

the pain was intense and she was afraid

while her sleeping husband snored

she clutched her chest in agony

quietly gasping her last breath

the half read book fell to the floor

as her sleeping husband snored

Red dress in Times Square – Part 6 Finale

Ian Hunter1 Comment

Egor met Emily at the bar

she told him it would be six thousand for the whole night

Egor’s minders were planning to wait for him in 2 hour shifts

when Egor arrived at room 407 she took him through to the adjoining room

a few minutes later two room service carts arrived

Emily and Egor left the adjoining room hidden in the carts

they were wheeled right by Egor’s KGB minder in the corridor

who was listening to the fake lovemaking sounds from room 407

early the next morning the US President was briefed by his National Security team

over 200 Russian agents were picked up in dawn raids

Egor provided a wealth of valuable intelligence

the Russians didn’t yet know he had defected

CIA agents switched the top secret missile data before the drop

the Russians thought their test went well but it was just a one-off

the test missile was uniquely matched to the fake software in the drop

bugs in the stolen software will soon cripple the Russian satellite

the Wall Street trading computer hack was intercepted 

Wall Street was shut down by the CIA to make the Russians believe they had control

all US infrastructure systems were hardened against further attacks

information from Egor was used by the CIA to locate and fry all the hacker’s servers

the pro Russian congressmen were all acting under CIA direction

the President was deliberately misleading the Russians by supporting the bill

the sanction lifting bill will soon be pulled from the floor of the house 

More that 10 billion dollars of Russian investment in Transoil has been frozen

Great job everybody said the President

I am looking forward to telling the Russian President of increased sanctions

Egor was given a new identity and moved to California

Emily got promoted but they let her keep the red dress

Red dress in Times Square – Part 5

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sanctions were crippling the Russian economy

Egor had masterminded a plan to remove them

this work started well before he met with Emily

since that meeting he was making significant progress

it all began when Egor brokered a huge deal

giving the US company Transoil exclusive exploration rights

to untapped Siberian oil reserves

all conditional on having US sanctions lifted

Jimmy Mason was the head of Transoil

a tough self made billionaire from Texas

with a rare talent for oil extraction in harsh climates

he was not afraid to take huge risks

Egor gave Jimmy a list of US congressman to lobby

Russian money was funneled into Transoil

Jimmy donated millions to the targeted congressional fundraising campaigns

he convinced them to support lifting sanctions against Russia

as momentum grew for lifting US sanctions

Russia was busy destabilizing the middle east

sponsoring terror groups to attack oil installations

encouraging Iran to attack Saudi Arabia

Russia was planning to be a world leader in oil production

this would generate huge revenues for Russian state owned companies

Moscow would have the cash to modernize its aging military equipment

Russia was on the path to being an economic and military superpower

Jimmy ran a creative congressional lobbying campaign

showing how the US economy would benefit from extracting Russian oil

while giving strategic alternatives to middle east oil

congress was close to passing a bill to lift sanctions

Egor was dining alone in an upscale New York restaurant

the waiter ran the check and returned his credit card

Egor noticed a hand written message on the receipt

Tomorrow, Intercontinental hotel bar 10pm- look for red dress

Red dress in Times Square – Part 4

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David was a sleeper agent

recruited by the Russians while at college 

15 years later he worked on US military projects

designing top secret missile guidance systems 

David met Egor in a public park

Egor told him it was time to deliver

David had copied top secret documents

stolen software was on thumb drives

Egor picked up David’s bag at the drop zone

he personally placed the contents in a diplomatic bag

it was all safely in Moscow a few days later

David was later found dead by his wife in an apparent suicide

a few months later a Russian satellite was launched

its purpose was to detect ballistic missiles

and lock onto their guidance systems

the satellite was successfully deployed 

all superpowers perform ballistic missile tests

they inform each other of all planned tests

to avoid retaliatory nuclear strikes being launched in error

the US gave the Russians notice of such a test 

A US submarine launched the test missile in the Pacific

it appeared to behave perfectly

landing harmlessly in the ocean

confirming the US capability to strike anywhere in the world

Russian military commanders were celebrating

their new satellite had locked onto the missile guidance systems

making very small but measurable flight deviations

they now had the capability to neutralize all US ballistic missiles 

Egor was confused and concerned

it was six months since his meeting with Emily

he had told her all about the new Russian satellite plans

he could not understand why the US had not intervened

Red dress in Times Square – Part 2

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Emily whispered to Egor

just do exactly as I say

she waited until the bartender was in earshot

OK Egor she said are you willing to pay $1000 for one hour with me

Of course Egor replied

the bartender was listening intently

room 407 in 10 minutes said Emily

Egor is paying my tab she told the bartender as she left

Egor pulled out his wallet and paid in cash

as he left the bar he noticed the bartender texting

confirming Egor’s suspicions that he was being monitored

Emily opened the door and pulled Egor inside

she was wearing a bathrobe

she stood by the open window

come here Egor she said

she kissed him in front of the window

as she dropped her robe to the floor

soon after she moved away from the window and closed the curtains

that was for your watchers outside she said as she put her robe back on

Egor was disappointed that she had covered her naked body

we have to move fast said Emily

get in the bathroom now

she placed a small speaker on the bed

she joined Egor in the bathroom

closing the door behind her

Ok this room is secure she said

you can start talking now

a man placed a small listening device on the outside of the door to Emily’s room

he walked to the end of the corridor

put in his earpiece and tapped his phone

all he could hear was music and lovemaking sounds

Red dress in Times Square – part 1

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she wore a red dress

low cut and short

shockingly tasteful

classy but sassy 

she sat alone at the bar of the Intercontinental in Times Square

ordered a glass of champagne

putting red lipstick kisses on the rim

every eye in the room was on her

as she slowly sipped

she heard a voice beside her

Manhattan straight up please

and another champagne for the lady

she resisted looking at him

painting a picture in her mind

tall well dressed and handsome

perhaps well travelled and intellectual

she put down her empty glass

slowly turned towards him

he was indeed handsome 

thank you she said with a smile

he put out a hand

my name is Egor

she took his hand

a firm and lingering handshake she noted

she made eye contact

I am Emily 

pleased to meet you Emily he replied

she detected a slight Russian accent

what brings you to New York she asked

he looked around before whispering in her ear

we can stop playing games now

I have information for the CIA

red wine and lies

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she poured a large glass of red wine

looking out of the window

the city below was bustling 

people going home from work

others going out for the evening

all walking with a purpose

she wished she was one of them

her heart sank as she glanced at the clock

he will be home soon she thought

time for another wine and a fake welcoming smile

by the time his key was in the door

she had started a third large glass

how was your day honey he asked

oh nothing exciting she answered

how was yours she said to change the subject

he rambled on about his working day

she pretended to listen as she consulted her phone

the text message she was waiting for suddenly popped in

come to my place at eight

she answered ok with a stream of kisses

her husband was still taking about work

as she rummaged in the kitchen 

there is pizza in the oven for you honey

I am going out to see my sister

she is depressed and needs cheering up

fine he said give her my best

as she drove across town she called her sister

no reply so she left a voicemail

hey sis if he asks say I was with you all evening thanks

soon she was in her lover’s arms

for a few hours of stolen pleasure

when she got back home her husband was still up

how is your sister doing he asked

oh she is doing better we talked the whole evening

she poured another glass of wine

his face was full of sadness

whats up with you she asked

he paused looking at her with total disdain

I guess you forgot your sister is away all this week

she bit her lip not knowing what further lies to tell

he opened up his laptop and typed a few commands

would you like to see where your car has been all evening 

unlike you the tracking device does not lie

The oasis of hope

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In the heart of the desert, where the sun reigns supreme, there were endless sand dunes, stretching as far as the eye could see.

The sun, a relentless ball of fire, cast its scorching rays upon the arid landscape, baking the sand until it glowed like molten gold.

Traversing the desert, a lone traveler named Amir wrapped his cloak tightly around him to shield against the intense heat.

With each step, the sand whispered beneath his feet, a reminder of the desert’s ancient secrets.

The sun climbed higher in the sky, its heat becoming almost unbearable.

Amir pressed on, his determination unwavering despite the sweltering conditions.

As the hours passed, his water supply dwindled, and fatigue began to set in.

Amir knew there should be a water supply nearby but he was worried he might not find it in time.

Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, Amir stumbled upon the oasis nestled among the dunes.

Its emerald waters shimmered in the sunlight, a welcome sight amidst the desert’s harsh beauty.

With renewed strength, he hurried forward, quenching his thirst and replenishing his spirit.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Amir found shelter beneath the shade of a palm tree.

As he drifted off to sleep, he couldn’t help but marvel at the resilience of life in the desert, where even the hottest sun could not extinguish the oasis of hope that lay within.

Once a gear head always a gear head

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Rolling thoughts: enlighten yourself to the dark arts of bike maintenance

When I was young I liked to tinker with bicycles

Building crazy bikes from old wrecks

Tearing around the neighborhood on two wheels

 That ended abruptly when I learned to drive

I got into cars big time

I raced mini coopers in England

I was the owner/driver/mechanic/crew chief

Eventually giving it up to focus on my career/family

In later years I developed a passion for exotic sports cars

Taking on a full ground up restoration

Followed by some fast track days

My sports car days finished when my mid life crisis was over

Today I drive a Lexus

I have it serviced at the dealer

My only intervention is adding air to the tires

Its less stressful to drive a reliable vehicle

In retirement I rediscovered the joys of cycling

So now I play with pedals and cranks all day

My garage is a bike workshop

I am regressing back into my childhood