Deliverance (The Worksop And Middle-Hinton NHS Trust Version) #flashfiction #microcosms

random picture of Dog, because… well, just because…

‘Circle the wagons…’

‘John stop, please.’

‘Can’t you hear the drums?’

‘That’s the heart monitor.’

‘It’s the Indians.’

‘John, shush. The lady is from Wolverhampton. She may have some family from over there but…’

‘They’re restless, tonight.’

‘Of course they are. They’re understaffed like all NHS hospitals. Just hand me… ooooo’

‘You ok, Doris?’

‘Bloody hell, that contraction was real. Please take that stupid hat off…’

‘It’s my ten gallon…’

‘I know what it is. Just hand me the gas and air, would you and for heaven’s sake take your spurs off that chair.’

‘Sorry. It’s just…’

‘I know. You’re in character. I understand, really I do. But don’t you think this is just a little bit more important.’

‘It’s not that. I mean, of course but… see they asked me to be the Sherriff. A white hat, Doris. After so many useless cowpokes and dead gamblers.’

‘Well, I think that’s great and everything but…’

‘How long do you think you’ll be?’

‘John Stevens, I cannot believe you are asking me that.’

‘’It’s just Derek said, well, no, never mind.’

‘What did Darling Derek say?’

‘He wished you well, naturally.’

‘Go on.’

‘Well, he said, more indicated, hinted really that if I wasn’t back after they’d had the grits and beans they’d find someone else to film the stagecoach rescue.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes, and I get to say “We’ll head them off at the Gulch.” Isn’t that cool?’

‘I’m beyond ecstatic. The thing is baby will come when he or she wants to, not at someone else’s beck and call.’

‘I’ve been thinking about that, Doris.’

‘John, what are you doing?’

‘I’ve been practicing with the lasso for weeks now and if you’ll just shift over a little…’

‘John… JOHN… Nurse, NURSE!’

This short piece was prompted by the Microcosms competition this week: the prompts were character – patient, setting – the old west, genre – drama

… and the garden because the sky was so perfect..

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.

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