PHOTO PROMPT © C.E. Ayr
He’d lit the fuse of yet another city. Standing on the bridge, Jake contemplated the rails disappearing in every direction, over mysterious horizons to unnumbered tempting futures.
He sighed, “How many times before I run out of track?”
Kicking the heavy canvas bag at his feet he smiled, “They’ll come after me, alright.” The first train hissed to a halt.
“How long can I continue? Perhaps this time I’ll find honest employment, make a proper new start.”
Slumping into his seat, he thought again, “But let’s not be hasty, maybe this track, is the beautiful one headed to rainbow’s end.”
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Michael Wynn 
Nicely describes the opportunity of a starting over and the hope of a better outcome – even for one running away from a regrettable past. Well done.
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Thanks Iain, but I think his expectations are fuelled by too much optimism and not enough reality
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I like the idea of tracks as running into different futures
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So do I Neil, like a lucky dip the reward at the end depends on the chance involved in picking the track and the time you arrive, who you bump into etc. It’s coincidence’s call how your life pans out from there.
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That is the line I liked the most. Interesting way of laying out the possibilities.
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Thanks, it was the start point. Where are all the tracks going, what lies at the end of each? What happens if you’re lucky enough to pick the right one or unlucky enough to get the wrong one?
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It sounds as if this man is always off on a new adventure, not quite sure what he’s seeking.
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I think he’s a dreamer, expecting a great reward for doing very little, which will never come.
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I suspect honest employment might always be a feature of the future. Nicely done.
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Thanks Sandra, and you’re right, I can’t see this grifter knuckling down anytime soon
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‘Grifter’ – such a lovely word.
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It is, isn’t it.
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Well it is no doubt an interesting life. He probably has many stories to tell.
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He has plenty of stories and so far has evaded capture by getting out of town quickly, but how long can he get away with it?
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Dear Michael,
It sounds like Jake is the proverbial rolling stone. Hopefully, he’ll find a place to hang his hat and call home. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle, but I think this stone will have to roll forever.
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Have we got a safe blower here? In which case the rainbow end might be Princetown
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He’s a crook of some sorts, ripping people off then having to get out of town double quick. The problem is, he can never get enough to be able to stop. He just has to keep moving on.
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I’m optimistically hopeful for him 😃
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So’s he but I can’t see him arriving at any pot of gold
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He’s chasing rainbows but never will find the pot of gold that way. Great story.
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Thank-you. Yes, he can’t see, despite his experience, there is no free pot of gold
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A classic rainbow chaser. I liked the bit about different tracks leading to different tempting futures. A nomadic’s fix, aren’t they. Very well written.
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Thank-you. You’re right, he’ll never change, he’ll always be tempted into trying just one more con, taking just one more train
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He’s not going to change his ways, is he? Nice one!
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No, I think he’s just too optimistic that life has the big one waiting for him down the next track
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hopefully, he’ll get off the train soon and face reality.
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He might but I think he’s just one of those who wants something for nothing and believes it’s just down the next track
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He always seem to be in a dilemma – to jump off or keep moving. Guess its an obsession that the grass is greener on the other side!
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I think you’re right. He’s an incorrigible dreamer who wants just one more go each time
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Great opening line that tells us so much about the character and where his is at. I suspect he will be travelling for a long time to come
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Thanks for reading, I suspect so too. He’s on a train he can’t get off of
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Chasing the dream. I hope the optimism, but wonder about his expectations and if he’ll ever be content.
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Argh . . . that should have read “I love his optimism”
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Don’t worry, I got what you meant
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I doubt he’ll ever be content, he’s chasing a myth I believe, by illegal means too. Thanks for your comment
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He might have a lot of ‘looking over his shoulder to do in the future’.
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I think he’s had a lfe of looking over his shoulder but can’t break out of his ways, always thinking, “Just one last time.”
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Does a rainbow of graffiti count?
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I think this guy’s idea of a rainbow only involves money
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I’m not sure if he’s feeling guilty or not. He seems to enjoy the thrill of it all and the contents of the heavy bag. Clever little snapshot of the man’s life.
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Thanks for reading. I don’t think he feels guilty at all, he’s too much of a rogue but how long can he live on his wits having to flee each town in turn?
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Which track will he choose and what will that bring him? Great tale of an unpredicatable life
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Thanks, I liked that element myself, which track, where’s it going, what will it bring?
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Life’s filled with those decisions, isn’t it? And you never know what was the right choice until sometime after you’ve made it 🙂
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I can feel both a burden and a freedom of searching for luck in yet another city… could work as a metaphor as well.
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Thanks Bjorn, I love metaphors and I think railways are rich hunting grounds for them
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Some people believe that life owes them something for which they have to do nothing. I don’t think people with that mentality ever achieve what they want in life. Like many others I love the thought of tracks running into different futures. I wonder if you take the wrong track, you can later get back on course by making better choices. A really thought-provoking piece.
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Yeah, taking the wrong track could spiral out of control altogether. Whichever he chooses,that will be his destiny until and if he decides to settle down somewhere with an honest job
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AT the end of his life, will he be able to say I found what I was searching for, that I obtained satisfaction? I highly doubt it; then again, he probably wouldn’t see it if he did find it
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I doubt it too, he’s one of those always looking for the big, easy pay off, which won’t come.
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The idea of railway tracks running in different directions, toward different futures/outcomes is a vivid, powerful image. Your piece really captures that sense of possibility and mystery, Michael.
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Thanks Dawn, that was the start of it when I saw the prompt, what’s up the line?
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I don’t think people with that mentality ever achieve what they want in life. Thanks, I liked that element myself, which track, where’s it going, what will it bring?
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Thank-you for commenting, I’m pleased you enjoyed it
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