Tuesday 5 April 2016

The Postman / Mad World

Can't make up my mind what the title should be. Let me know what you think is best from the two. 

Fog hung over the car park making it look like the last surviving place on earth. The spires of the city and cranes of the docks were completely enveloped in the dark and dirty mist which had draped the city for the last five days. Nothing moved; the few remaining cars collected frost on their windscreens while the rats and foxes that might have been attracted by the rubbish were put off by the cold.
Karel surveyed the scene from his hotel window. He could see the shadow of Fritz in the car parked in the far left corner and he could see the ghostly figure of the person only known as The Postman lurking in the shadows. In about a minute, when he knew the coast was clear, Fritz would flash his lights once, The Postman would emerge from the shadows, an exchange would be made and the Postman would disappear into the fog until next time he had information worth handing over.
Karel didn’t know if The Postman was the source of the information or just the messenger, but it didn’t matter, his stuff was gold dust.
He smiled to himself, glad that he was in the warmth of the hotel rather than the cold of the car. The rules of engagement said no engines running, that meant no heating. Karel knew he wouldn’t have been good in the cold, but Fritz was made of hardy stuff; he’d probably be enjoying the sub-zero temperatures. Right on cue the lights flashed.
“I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad.” Karel murmured the words of the song that had been stuck in his mind all day.
The figure stepped out of the shadows. It was all going to plan.
“Dreams in which I’m…”
That wasn't The Postman, it was too small, too slight, too feminine.  Karel was in two minds; should he leave the observation point and try to warn Fritz or stay put?
He watched the fake Postman walk towards the car. She had the grace of a catwalk model, the assurance of a mountain goat. Karel felt a shiver go down his spine. Maybe it was all fine, maybe The Postman was more than one person. Karel grabbed his coat, putting it on, still watching the car park down below. Still not sure what to do. He hoped Fritz had realised the problem but his windscreen would be caked in ice would he have a clear view?
The fake raised her hand, two flashes appeared from the end of it in quick succession. Karel didn't have to be a genius to realise that she shot at the the car that Fritz was sitting in behind a windshield of frost. Karel ran out of the room,  down the stairs, out through the lobby, startling the night porter as he went. He ran across the icy street and hurdled the small chain link fence, barely keeping his balance. He slip-slid his way across the Tarmac, arriving at the car to find Fritz slumped in his seat, but the imposter nowhere to be seen.
Karel grabbed the door handle, the freezing metal burning his bare hand. He tried it but it was locked. He slid round to the other side using the car to keep him upright; that door also locked, that was part of the protocol.
He looked around for something to smash the window with but before he could find anything he was shrouded in the blue lights of the five, six, seven police cars, screeching into the parking lot. Karel looked into the blinding headlights.
“Put your hands up and step away from the car.”
He did as he was told and was immediately rugby tackled from behind, crashing into the freezing ground, taking the wind out of him.  Within seconds he'd been frisked and handcuffed and was being held down on the ground.
“You're under arrest for the murder of Fritz Paul.” Said a woman’s voice from above him.

“When people run in circles it’s a very, very mad world.”

For part 2 click herepart 3 here and for part 4 here



2 comments:

  1. I'd suggest The Postman.

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  2. The Postwoman Always Rings Twice or rather The Postwoman Always Shoots Twice

    ReplyDelete