So where do you see yourself in thirty years time?

He noticed the man randomly opening books and scribbling inside them.

He detached from his nook behind the cash register and made a beeline for the aged vandal. Well, as much of a beeline as one could make weaving in between book aisles. “Hey you! Stop that at once! Or… I’ll call the police!” Would the police actually come, he wondered.

The man flashed a mischievous smile and darted out of the store. Someone said, “Was that Ben Khalid, the famous author?” Plucking a book from the shelf, he opened it to reveal the unmistakable autograph of the eccentric author.

100 words

This is like a flash fiction version of a meme.

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Write a story in 100 words or less, and click the frog to submit your flash fiction. Join our group of tea-drinking (coffee for me please) cat-loving group of writers!

Responses

neilmacdon

Jan 29, 2021

Lovely! The same act can be either vandalism or enhancement, depending on who does it

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1. Fatima Fakier
  
  Jan 29, 2021
  
  If it is the author himself, definitely a generous act! Although done in a dubious way.
  
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Iain Kelly

Jan 29, 2021

I’ve heard of some authors doing this. It’s a lovely idea 🙂

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1. Fatima Fakier
  
  Feb 1, 2021
  
  I think so too. 🙂
  
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Russell Gayer

Jan 29, 2021

When I sign a book, I always tell the person who’s buying it that the book is free, the autograph costs $15 🙂

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1. James McEwan
  
  Jan 30, 2021
  
  Value in the entertainment – what if they ask you not to sign? Is the book still free?
  
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  1. Russell Gayer
    
    Jan 30, 2021
    
    Nope, but the resale value of the unsigned copies is doubled. 🙂
    
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2. Fatima Fakier
  
  Feb 1, 2021
  
  I can picture you doing this, Russell!
  
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elmowrites

Jan 29, 2021

Oh dear, I’m sure the shopkeeper is wishing he’d used a different approach now!

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1. Fatima Fakier
  
  Feb 1, 2021
  
  Maybe he should have been rushing over to ask for an autograph on his own copy.
  
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James McEwan

Jan 30, 2021

Value in the entertainment – what if they ask you not to sign? Is the book still free?

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James McEwan

Jan 30, 2021

My comment above was for Russell.
You have raised an interesting point in your story about eccentricity. I know an author who would go into Waterstones, and move her books out on the shelves to make them more prominent.
Another young lady took her book to Waterstones and had her self photographed holding her book in the shop– then claimed her book was in all the good bookshops.
(the truth was customers could possible order the book, but it was not popular enough to be held in stock.)
Enjoyed your story.

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1. Fatima Fakier
  
  Feb 1, 2021
  
  Thank you for your comment, James. Those other two authors you mentioned sound more egocentric than eccentric 😉 Do people really do that? I’m really glad you enjoyed this story too.
  
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granonine

Jan 30, 2021

I enjoyed the mischievous behavior of the author. Made me smile.

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1. Fatima Fakier
  
  Feb 1, 2021
  
  If I can make you smile, all the better!
  
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plaridel

Jan 30, 2021

he’s quite a character even if he’s signing his own book. 🙂

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1. Fatima Fakier
  
  Feb 1, 2021
  
  He definitely is a peculiar fellow.
  
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ahtdoucette

Jan 31, 2021

Love it! Glad I wasn’t drinking anything when I was reading this.

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1. Fatima Fakier
  
  Feb 1, 2021
  
  That’s the response I was hoping for! Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed it.
  
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rochellewisoff

Jan 31, 2021

Dear Fatima,

Perhaps the author could’ve made himself known. I enjoyed the story in any event. 😉

Shalom,

Rochelle

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1. Fatima Fakier
  
  Feb 1, 2021
  
  Yes, he could have made himself known, though I think he prefers the mystery and mischief. Thank you, Rochelle!
  
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draliman

Feb 2, 2021

I’m imagining his little book-signing surgical strikes 🙂 The bookshop chap will have to identify the signed books now, so he can increase the price.

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Tannille

Feb 4, 2021

The things authors will do!

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