onsdag den 21. juli 2021

Words for Wednesday -- July 21

This is a challenge, where the old saying "The more the merrier" holds true, therefore: Please, remember to go back, read other peoples' stories there or follow their links back. And please place a comment after reading. Challenges like this one thrives on interaction.

In July we'll find the Words for Wednesday at Lissa's blog The Memory Tourist. For July 21th we were given these ten words:


Epistle
Welfare
Children
Spirit
Companions
Primroses
Sea
Walk
Faithful
Happiness

  I left Jon, Susan, and some other apprentices on their way to a cave, and I promised a continuation, but ... these words were just too peaceful for a monster in a cave story.
  Instead they were perfect for a start to a story from Birch Manor. The story of the last of the apprentices, Sarah Pedersen from Rødover, the one who was an early retiree and into anti-vaccination and conspiracy networks.
  And I once again used the words in the order they were given. The last two,
Faithful and Happiness did not fit into the story. Maybe a part 2 will come.


"Have you seen the epistle Sarah wrote on Facebook yesterday," Knud asked Susan as the car turned into the larger road outside the small town near Birch Manor.
"No," Susan answered, still intent on the road. "Tell me about it, please."
"She's attacking the welfare system," Knud said, shaking his head. "In short she thinks that for every child a family has, a sum should be subtracted from their general welfare. So that couples having 5 children or more just have to work to earn a living."
"She is a mean spirit," Susan said. "I turn more and more convinced that we should not re-awaken her magical potential. But then I think of her children and change my mind. In short. I don't know what to do."
"The first thing to do is to meet her," Knud said. "We have to. And now we've found out that she and her companions hang out in the Pub each day around noon, this will be easy. You go shopping, I sit and spit into a cup of coffee or a cold beer if necessary," Knud's mouth contorted at the thought of Danish beer, even cold.
"And then I join you after some time," Susan continued, turning into the fast lane. "We'll have to find some sort of code. Not too elaborate. Do we know anything of her children?"
"She has two, as far as I have been able to find out," Knud said. "Friends in the administration is a good thing when looking for people like her. There once was a man, but he died, 15 years ago I think. Cancer or diabetes probably brought on by drinking and smoking excessively.  The children have both left Rødovre for Copenhagen proper, flown the nest, and at fairly young ages both of them."
"OK," Susan said. "If you ask me whether the primroses were too expensive, then we leave her alone. At least for now."
"And if I suggest that we go to the sea for a walk after lunch, then we should approach her," Knud added smiling slyly. "This sounds like one of her stories filled with conspirators and code words and spies with cloaks and daggers."

Susan parked the car some way from the Pub in Rødovre Centrum 
"I need to walk a bit to collect my wits," she said and Knud just nodded.

   ... to be continued

And I need your help. In Danish the standard spy is described as wearing "Beard and blue glasses". What's he wearing in English? I tried false beard and newspaper, but what would you normally say? And now - today November 24 2021, it hit me: Cloak and dagger!




12 kommentarer:

  1. Beastly Blogger devoured my comment. I hope it will be more generous this time.
    Spy stories are not my genre. Certainly a false beard - and dark glasses.
    And thank you for this exciting, and tense installment. Sarah sounds awful - but perhaps she has her reasons...

    SvarSlet
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    1. Beastly Blogger is acting up for the time being. Yesterday it ate my header. I hope we can tame it.
      I don't do spy stories either, but I know the cliches in Danish; unfortunately not in English - maybe if I had read some spy stories, I would be wiser ;)
      Thank you. Sarah is quite awful, I'm sure; even with reasons.

      Slet
  2. Now I have to wait for part 2 to find out how the confrontation turned out!

    SvarSlet
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    1. I hope for more than two parts ... but time (and prompts) will tell.

      Slet
  3. This is very good and I would like to read more. I have no idea how to describe a spy.

    SvarSlet
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    1. Thank you. I have been mulling Sarah over in my head for a long time. She's a type of woman, I'm not particularly fond of.
      No spy stereotypes like the Danish it seems.

      Slet
  4. Love this! Can't wait for what is next! I think spies here are often described or shown on TV/movies as wearing glasses or sunglasses of some sort. Absentmindedly reading a newspaper or doing something that makes them appear not interested in the person they are spying on. Often with ear buds listening to music or something on a cell so that they can hear communications from the rest of the team. Hats of some sort if outdoors. If they are pretending to be workmen, then an orange safety vest. It seems that the "blue glasses" would be a dead giveaway of a spy. I'm now going to suspect anyone I see wearing them!

    SvarSlet
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    1. Thank you so much.
      Glasses, newspapers, hats and earbud, oh dear. It seems I hit on a description for these easily recognizable spy types ;)

      Slet
  5. I have no idea about the beard and blue glasses bit. I think maybe a mustache and a newspaper? I don't know. I'm sure you can use anything you like.

    Good use of the prompts.

    Have a lovely day.

    SvarSlet
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    1. Thank you - now I start to believe that there's no set expression for this in English. :)

      Slet
  6. A really good spy blends in so well you'd never know. Wearing what others wear and doing what others around are doing.

    No matter her reasons, i always feel badly for people who act as she does. There's usually something broken in them, and it pains me to see it.

    SvarSlet
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    1. Yes really good spies do this of course. But what I need is the typical movie spy, the one you cast half a glance on in a movie, and thinks 'he's a spy!'.
      I feel bad for Sarah too, but I highly doubt she can be trusted with magic, or even the knowledge of magic. They might be able to help her anyway.

      Slet

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