{This is in response to a prompt from Friday Fictioneers. The task is to write 100 words, inspired by the photo. For those of you who don’t know, a “shingle” is a sign, bearing the name of a law office, and having your name on the shingle generally indicates you are a partner or owner. All errors, of course, are my own. Thank you for the prompt, and for coming by to read! }
Every twelve months, the frantic practice ground to a halt, for the Seymour & Thrace Christmas Party.
Staff and clients packed the offices on Filcher’s Row. Samovars shone and steamed. Liquor cabinets beckoned. Toasts were raised.
“Without you,” Andy Thrace beamed at the crowd, “I would never have done so well, these twenty years.” He raked his too-full hair.
“And what about your silent partner?”
Everyone swiveled to view Seymour, who had never set foot in the door before. Whose name hung, nonetheless, engraved, on the shingle.
Thrace noticed Seymour’s stilettoed feet.
They were in the door now.
I get the feeling he’s about to get an earful.
Intriguing.
I loved the name Filcher’s Row. The appearance by the heretofor “silent” partner made this a great cliff hanger.
Thanks Russell!
A very clever take. It seems that the stiletto-heeled partner has already smashed through the glass ceiling and now intends to make her presence felt big time. I also loved the street name, very Dickensian. I have a solicitors’ practice called Takelove & Steele in my current project.
Dickens is definitely one of my favorites. Great name! It’s easy to tease one of the oldest professions. ?
The strangest things happen at Christmas parties. Well done.
Oops… I think new management is coming in… but for the clients it might be even better.
???
The silent partner is silent no more. Hmm wonder what he has done to bring her out in the open. Never a good sign. Very creative take on the prompt. I enjoyed it.
Thank you JoHawk! I’m sure whatever it was, he should be ashamed of himself!
Aaaagh! Who is she? His wife? His mistress or long-lost girfriend? Someone he’d cheated out of the partnership who was ready now to face him?
How can you do this to us? HOW!!
Granonine, I am so sorry! But I can’t help smiling. If you are feeling this much agony, maybe there’s a chance a future reader would “read on.” So I must be doing something right. ?
Change is on the horizon. Very intriguing.
Thanks Lisa! Things will never be the same, I suspect.
Dear Andrea,
You left us hanging in the balance. Is Seymour a woman? Or not? At least those are my immediate thoughts. Nicely done
Shalom,
Rochelle
I did leave that open to question, didn’t I?
Open mouths and total silence I imagine! A change is gonna’ come.
Click to read my FriFic tale!
You’re probably right, Keith!
Oh, that line: Without you, I could not have done so well. Hopefully they all have received bonuses!
And, the silent Seymour, very intriguing!
Glad you liked that line, Sascha. Rather effusively generous, but with an underlying tone of egocentricity, I thought. Wait for the sequel: Silent Seymour Speaks!:)
A whole new ballpark is about to open up I think. And not before time.
I think you’re right Sandra.
Quite the entrance. The power behind the throne it seems, and about to shake things up.
I sense a coup!
No longer an “old boys’ club”! “Filcher’s Row” is quite an apt name for a firm of lawyers, considering what they charge… 🙂
Nice one!
Two for two, draliman! You got just what I was aiming for! A somewhat weaker point these days, than twenty years ago. And the name was my little joke. ?
Oh by the way, i meant “Filcher’s Row” to be the street name, and also to imply the “row,”in the (British) sense of an argument, that was likely to come…
Sorry, I did read it as the street name, it was my comment which was confusing. And I like the other sense of “row” for this situation 🙂
I felt like I was right there – seeing the high heels coming through the door.
side note – I just saw an old book from an author my husband likes. It had all these pics of the author and his wife – and it was a short kind of book but it seemed like a project that was a tribute to her – or to at least show them as a couple or unit.
anyhow, you left us wondering
Thank you prior. Part of my intent was to confuse you as to the gender of the re-appearing partner, and in my pursuit of that goal, all thought of what will happen next was left to the reader’s imagination.
and you know, when I read it again just now – it reminded me a tad bit of a Dickens Marley and Scrooge sign
🙂
To remind one of Dickens in any way–in my book, there is no higher praise! Thank you!
😉
And wishing you a great rest of the week
It’s all about to change. I’m guessing Thrace won’t be pleased
Probably not!
Hmmm… now we are left to wonder all about her!
And wonder why she has been silent for so long and why she is making an appearance now and… ok. I’ll stop!
Thanks Dale. It does seem to lend itself to expansion or amendment. ?
🙂