Image: http://publicdomainarchive.com/public-domain-images-paint-numbers-billboard/
The opening sentence for the March 18th Flash Fiction for the Purposeful Practitioner: “This was the first time I had ever had to sign for a letter addressed to Occupant.” Please use this sentence (or this thought) somewhere in your flash.
It was the man in the dark glasses at my door that first alerted me to the fact that all was not right.
The intimidation factor was high. I hate confrontation.
He shoved the clipboard at me and pointed to the part I was to sign. I readily did so afraid a refusal could result in some physical injury and I wasn’t much into pain.
He left leaving me a letter saying: “Occupant’. It was the first time I had ever had to sign for a letter addressed ‘Occupant’.
I opened the letter to find a note from my brother Alf. Alf and I had had a falling out over his artistic skill and future as an artist. The note informed me that at the end of the street I would see his latest work.
There behind the park fence was his latest creation with a note I am sure levelled at me his doubting Thomas. The pretentiousness of the painting didn’t escape me nor did my opinions as to his creative abilities. He had long way to go as far as I was concerned.
On close inspection it was as I suspected. Another colour by number piece.
Written for: https://rogershipp.wordpress.com/2016/03/18/flash-fiction-for-the-purposeful-practitioner-week-12-2016/
Morpethroad 
Ha ha, a painting by numbers mural – very funny 🙂
Thanks Sonya. Hope you are having a good day…
Great take on the prompt. Paint by numbers lol.
Thanks Mandi, hope you are having a good day/evening….
You too!
Great story! Poor Alf with his strange talent.
Hello Mis ABC lovely to see you stop by. Thanks for the comment, much appreciated…
Ha! That is about the only way I’d be able to do any painting. Paint by numbers is right up my alley 🙂
Me too Lyn. Have a good evening.
What a brilliant build up – the sibling rivalry, the letter addressed to occupant from the sniffy brother. And that last line – fantastic! You took a tough prompt pic and line and spun them together to make a tale that was entertaining and made complete sense. Really good work
Thank you Lynn I greatly appreciate you reading and your very encouraging comment.
A brilliant story!
Thank you.
Painting by numbers is still some kind of skill! I wouldn’t be surprised if some artists can only do that… Not thinking Damien Hirst at all!
Well thanks Angie, I did go look up Damien Hirst and from I read suggesting such a thing about him is up there with sacrilege…..the art world is so fickle as my son has discovered selling well at one exhibition and not so at the next….
He sold a picture of coloured dots, painting by numbers… LOL! Yeah, fickle world the art one!
Ah I see what you mean. I think saying its fickle is being too kind sometimes it hard to understand how the art world works.
I will never understand it!
Roflmbo – this is dead brilliant Michael! A superb write! Seriously – the tone, the pauses, just enough details and the tension is clear – and wow – what a twist to the ending! totally awesome!
Great take on the prompt – certainly not an easy combo – but you’ve pulled it off with such skill 😀
Thank you Pat so happy to paint you a picture which has tickled your fancy….
definitely a keeper 🙂
These two brothers are not on the best of terms. LOL! Paint by numbers sign. Good one!
Thank you Joy, hope your day is going along a treat for you..
Thank you, Michael! Yes, it has been a very lovely day!
Enjoyed your story. Felt sorry for Alf, the poor guy with a strange talent. 🙂
Thank you Susan, yes he is an odd character….hope you are having a good day…