Every literary lion needs an extended cat nap once in a while… I am sorry mine was so extended, but I am back in the country and ready to reveal some exciting Literary Lion challenges.
The last challenge was very impressively met by this lovely piece of writing Ellespeth at balconyviewz… head over there now for a little chuckle and a great example of form.
The ferocious feline sent me all the way to Vegas (baby) with this one… the word of the week is ‘gamble‘. As always you have 400 words or less to tell your stories, please do remember to include the tag ‘Literary Lion’ in your post, pingback to this piece, and feel free to share with me on Instagram and Twitter.. Happy penning.
Here is my gambling tale…
Red
It was all too familiar. The smoke lingering in the air, the enveloping cacophony of high pitched rings and chimes, the flickers of neon lights that winked from every corner. They had told me never to return here. The clerk gave me a knowing smile when he slowly slid the token across the counter.
So familiar it was between my fingers.
I stood, watching. Them, the happy, the sad, the hopeful, the hopeless, the inebriated.
I flicked the chip over and over again with my fingertips. A habitual trait.
One more chance.
One more.
Just. One. more.
With a burst of courage I cantered over to the table, sat down at the stall and tapped on the table with my one and only chip. The woman beside me gasped as she looked at the number. I pushed it forward with my scarlet lacquered finger tips.
“Red”.
Very tense story. It really pulled at your emotions and senses as you waited to find out if the chip landed where it was suppose to. How did you like Vegas? It’s one of my most favourite vacation spots.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Laura 😊 Glad to have you back. I was also keen on hearing that which literary lion entry you picked out this time too. Or was that just once a month?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Donna! Thank you! I did have a couple picked out but I actually left them written down at home whilst I was doing this post on the move. I will return to them next month though 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or rather, in a couple of weeks… I think the jet lag has ruined my sense of time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha that’s okay my lovely! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I really enjoyed Vegas, I’d been before a few years ago but managed to see a lot more this time and stayed in a much better hotel so that was lovely! What’s your favourite hotel? There are so many!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well the Venetian or Paris have the nicest rooms but they take along way to get to your room. But we have been staying treasure island, the rooms aren’t quite as nice but the location is perfect for shopping at the fashion show mall, Caeser’s, and the Ventian. It is also close to the Mirage and the Wynn. The Wynn had a really great club called Tryst with a waterfall in it and the Mirage is a lovely hotel with lots of green plants, water fees tyres and a fantastic cirque de soleil show called ‘Love’ about the Beatles and their music!
LikeLike
I’ve never been to Vegas. Am desperate to go. Very cool story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much exciting account of your gambling. I like it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Although it wasn’t strictly my own gambling, more an observation and imagining!
LikeLike
Your story really does give the feel of it. Glad you enjoyed your trip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your story, Laura – you can feel the energy of the casino atmosphere. I’ve never been, myself, but that’s what I imagine it to be like.
Here’s my offering for the week, an attempt at Gothic horror, sort of: https://tuckedintoacorner.wordpress.com/2015/12/04/study-of-living-400/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! It’s definitely one of those places that lives up to all expectations, and more!
LikeLike
I can’t get over how awesome your writings and pictures are! Really, a great read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, that’s so lovely of you to say so! Hopefully I’ll be blogging a lot more in the new year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the mischievous tension you’ve built up in this one. It seem like it really captures the thrill and fear of an addiction. At least that’s how I’m reading it. 🙂
My offering to the Great Lion has been placed on the alter here:
http://wp.me/p3LEiB-bh
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I’m glad you got that, I was trying to build it up so that’s great! I’ll have a read of yours now 🙂
LikeLike
Quite atmospheric – all the different types of person one might expect to find are represented and I can’t help thinking your protagonist is in over her head. I shudder to think what will become of her future if it lands on black… or on red, for that matter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good point, I fear she is doomed with either outcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I passed by here to see the current word and saw that my story was selected a few weeks ago. Thank you, Laura. Just goes to show one can’t really judge their own work…
Oh! I hope it landed on red 😦 Gambling establishments are such shady places…the smell of smoke and booze and the forever hopeful faces.
Ellespeth
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are very shady places, so bright and merry on the outside but a different picture when you really start to look at the details. You’re very welcome, it was very deserved!
LikeLike
It’s so tense. I can feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins. Everything on red, eh? Fantastic piece 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Yep, she’s a true scarlet woman.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too good Laura, glad you are back here
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! The lion is back for regular prompts next week, I hope you can join in again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I intend to!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delightful as always! Glad the lion got a well-earned rest (and drink!) over the holidays! Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy new year to you too! To be honest, I think the lion indulged a little too much, he’s in boot camp this week so he’s fresh for his new start next week 😉
LikeLike