vignettes

[marycatelli]

This week's prompt is:
machine

Anyone can join, with a 50-word creative fiction vignette in the comments. Your vignette does not have to include the prompt term.

Comments

[marycatelli]

"I used to go near the machinery in the mills, too," said Julian, urbanely. "It fascinated me."
"Have you been to one, Lady Ava?" said Isabella, not exactly quickly.
"Oh, no," said Ava.
"You will have to," said Isabella. "Perhaps I may make it a part of class. It's important."

[marycatelli]

For a moment, a fugitive thought suggested that this woman was part of the festivities, a dancer or juggler to amuse them, less strange than the mechanical dancers of last week, that needed to be wound up after every movement, but glancing around at the pale faces quashed that hope.

[marycatelli]

From the corner of the rooms, soldiers moved, recognizable by their blue coats. For a moment, she fancied that they were clockwork soldiers, fantastical in nature and capable of acting perfectly as long as they were wound up, but their pale, sweating faces showed they were men. Courageous, if fools.

[marycatelli]

"Oh, those ones," said Ellyn. "We all heard of them."
Gorman looked taken aback.
"They became the chiefs of bandits," Bellangere added.
"Nah, they rove the city and rob companies," said Ellyn. "Or shops of their clockwork pieces. They say that those who do not return often are killed and robbed by them."
"In the city?" said Gorman dryly. She shrugged.

[jbellinger]

Stock only had round fittings, so Charles took a number 7 and clamped it under the old Bridgeport. He double-checked the distance, hit the start and began cranking the table.

The bit grabbed the brass, wrested it from the clamp, and slung it across the room. The supervisor eyed his mangled calendar, and then Charles.

[marycatelli]

Tut, tut, tut.