Piece of Junk
Copyright – Beth Carter
“Five thousand and it’s yours,” the old man said.
“Ok.”
“Actually, six thousand!”
“Fine.”
“Seven thousand?”
“Eight thousand and no more,” Angelo said. “Take it or leave it. You bought this piece of junk at a police auction so I’m giving you one hundred times its value. In fact, I just might – “
“I accept! Eight thousand it is.”
Angelo paid him and drove the car back to his garage. He took it apart piece by piece and hours later he emerged smiling. In his hand he held the key that opened the crypt where he had stashed the diamonds.
I got a laugh out of the amount going up instead of down but I see why Angelo was willing to do it. Very crypt-ic.
janet
That would be something to know where the key is and not be able to get to it… He would have .
Original take on the prompt – clever.
Great ending. I’m surprised the man wasn’t suspicious that he paid 8000 for that.
That was certainly an interesting opening with an equally surprising ending….
I’m still smiling..
Hilarious! Although if I was the old man I’d be asking questions.
Terrific! I love it.
not a piece of junk after all…:) Angelo, must be a thief. great story.
This is the second story I’ve read so far that used the car as a sort of treasure chest. In your case, a treasure chest with a key to another treasure chest. A modern fairytale.
I found myself asking why the police hadn’t also stripped down the car and found the key. Then I figured they had, and wanted the car to be sold to whoever would lead them to the diamonds. That would explain why the man wasn’t suspicious at the prospective purchaser’s ever-increasing, ridiculous offers. Great writing!
I love this! Fun story!
Very charming!
I found it interesting the price kept going up, and your character seemed almost gleeful about it. Or, perhaps, he was just restless and wanting that key. Great story!
I had an inkling what was going on when the price went up. Fortunately the seller was as thick as he was greedy.
Nicely written. Figured it had to be something hidden in there.
Ha! There had to be an ulterior motive for him to pay so much for the car. Clever twist.
this is great, love the upping of the price that lead to that last line. great job with this little story.
Hi H.L.,
At first I had serious questions about Angelo’s negotiating skills. But as you unraveled the story, it became clear why the car was worth so much more than its appearance. Good story. Ron
I didn’t see that coming. Very nicely written. I like the look of your blog – clean – I need to work on mine.
—LOoooove!!!
well done. think about ending it after he finds the key. it creates some good mystery for the readers if we don’t know exactly what the key is for.
good twist. All that is gold does not glitter….
That was absolutely terrific! I didn’t see it coming and the trajectory was absolutely spot on. Plus, it was an entirely novel approach to the prompt.
Good show,
Lindaura