Good PR #writephoto

Posted on Nov 20, 2022 by TanGental

This week’s prompt is

Good PR

‘Will you look at her? Such a complete strumpet.’ Chloe Rattus stared with unblinking gimlet eyes at the approaching form.

‘Strumpet? Seriously? What are you reading?’ Simplicity Souris moistened her hand and wiped her whiskers clean. ‘Though she does rather overdo it, doesn’t she?’

The form coalesced into a squirrel, slipping gracefully towards the rat and mouse. ‘Ladies.’ Belinda Squirrelly simpered. ‘You are looking… traditional.’ She swept her tail around her sleek torso and allowed them a lingering sight of her side. ‘What do you think? It’s a cerise infused pewter.’

Chloe snorted. ‘Oh come on, Belly.’

Belinda bared her teeth briefly; she hated that name.

‘Last week you were strutting around as a red squirrel, all dainty and cute. Now you’ve blown out and gone grey, like..,’

Belinda sounded peevish. ‘It’s pewter, infus…’

‘Whatever.’ Chloe’s hard eyes might not win a beauty contest but they commanded instant respect. ‘So what happened? You outgrew the corset? The belt snapped? You certainly lost control of the middle-aged spread, didn’t you?’

Belinda rocked back onto her hind legs, fluffing out her chest.

Simplicity scurried forward. ‘Oh, is that a new chest? I love the colour. What is it? Sepia?’

‘Appalachian turmeric. Bespoke. If you want to move on from that ensemble, I’ll give you his number. You’d look…. interesting in something blue, Simpy.’

The dripping condescension might have slipped off Simplicity’s oily pelt but Chloe didn’t miss it. ‘Darling, isn’t it a bit… masculine? Butch? It may work with your nut-donors, but one day you’re a red squirrel, all playful resilience and the next you’re a lumpy grey who everyone hates as a bully and…’

Belinda stood up, several centimetres above Chloe. ‘That’s rich, coming from you. Bloody hell, darling. You’re a rat. Is there anymore despised creature than a rat? You need to control your jealousy.’

‘I’ll grant you that your PR is better than ours. That tail was a masterstroke. But bottom line, you’re a rodent. Like the rest of us.’

Belinda nodded. ‘I suppose. And your white coat is spectacular.’

It was Chloe’s turn to nod. She turned her gaze to Simplicity who squirmed one way and then the other. ‘One thing we have in common, girlfriend?’

‘What’s that, honey?’

‘At least no one will accuse us of being mousy.’

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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25 Responses to Good PR #writephoto

  1. Sadje says:
    Nov 20, 2022 at 10:21 am

    Lol! Great take.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. willowdot21 says:
    Nov 20, 2022 at 1:19 pm

    Lol talk about stating the obvious. I dare say a passing pigeon (a flying rat) might of an opinion to add!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Peter's pondering says:
    Nov 20, 2022 at 2:07 pm

    A great tail, or three!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. John W. Howell says:
    Nov 20, 2022 at 6:12 pm

    Better than mousy indeed.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. noelleg44 says:
    Nov 20, 2022 at 10:22 pm

    A great tale, very rodentiferous!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. D. Wallace Peach says:
    Nov 20, 2022 at 10:31 pm

    Lol. This is anything but a mousy tail, Geoff. Hehe. I love the personalities.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. robertawrites235681907 says:
    Nov 21, 2022 at 5:43 pm

    Very entertaining, Geoff, and yes, squirrels do get a better rap than rats.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. V.M.Sang says:
    Nov 21, 2022 at 5:55 pm

    Another great one, Geoff. And yes, I agree with Chloe. Squirrels at just rodents! (Especially the grey ones!)

    Liked by 1 person

  9. KL Caley says:
    Dec 8, 2022 at 12:34 pm

    Well, this was a ‘nutty’ tale. A squirrel, a rat and a mouse critter-sizing one another, never read anything like it. Haha hilarious entry Geoff. I loved it. Thank you so much for joining in with #writephoto. KL ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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