OK Friday Fictioneers. I know that by the mere fact that I’m “mashing” these two prompts together, I’m foregoing any publishing possibilities. But still I felt strongly enough that you should all know of Red’s “Flash In The Pan” series, as I see this as a worthwhile endeavor, deserving of your unbridled talent. That being said, here’s my response to both Flash In The Pan‘s “Regress” prompt, as well as this week’s Fictioneer photo:
Copyright – Jan Wayne Fields
Disdain.
He couldn’t quite explain it, but disdain was exactly what his mouth tasted at that very moment.
The dull roar of clamoring footsteps, in slow regress through the main hall, made him simply want to scream while listening inattentively to the thick accent standing before him. It muttered under muddy breath, “Von Stoffen.”
“Von-wha?”
“Von STOW-FENN.”
What in the hell sort of name was that? Stupid krauts. Every last one ‘em would be looking for a handout. He knew it.
Scribbling hurriedly on the form, he barked dismissively, “Well now you’re ‘Stover.’ NEXT!”
Disdain. Yep, he could taste it.
•••
Welcome to “Flash in the Pan”
∞
PS: My thanks to you both, Red and Rochelle, as any excuse to use The Pogues for my song of the day, is a worthy excuse indeed ;)
as long as i'm singing 
Great, Troy. Always poignant
You’ve even sent me back to the trad… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scfi3OewDVc
Choicecut, m’dear – thank you for sharing that!
Ooo hey! I don’t think
I hatethat I have disdain for The Pogues! :PAnd how could you, really?
I really enjoyed this rather sad glimpse of what immigrants must have experienced. Well done, Troy.
Thank you so much! This post started as a ghost some 15 years ago when I visited Eliis, so I was glad to finally be able to bring it to life, and I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it =)
My guess is that the “looking for a handout” line has some overtones for today. :-) Some things never change, on either side of things.
janet
Very true Janet, very true. And without a force of will, they never will.
Dear Troy,
You captured the attitude of concessionaires at Ellis Island who would cheat “green horns” out of their life savings. Sad truth. Good one. I’ll have to check out Red’s challenge, although there’s no way I can do another one. ;) I came into Friday Fictioneers as “one of the gang” and you see where that led.
shalom,
Rochelle
And thank God that is did lead you there, Rochelle =)
great job, troy. more than the story, i like that i felt like the character was very real.
Thanks kz – I do love it when I feel a strong connection with my characters – and in the case of folks similar to this gentleman, I then get all nervous about just how much of him is in me!
Great story… reduced to Stover in an instant… (and I have still to accept to be renamed to Bjorn)…
Thanks Bjorn – it’s pretty odd, isn’t it, how we all came hoping for a new life, but were then a little-to greatly disappointed to find what it would sometimes entail.
Terrific emotion and topic. Mashup is no worries. It is the perfect illustration.