12 February 2021

Published February 10, 2021 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Alicia Jamtaas

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

JUNE 12, 1943

“My little girl is a young woman.” Papa kissed Rutka’s cheek. “Happy fourteenth birthday!”

“I’ll never see my fifteenth.”

His reassuring smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Our God will protect you.”

“Will He? He allows innocent babies to have their heads smashed in while grandmothers are deported to the death camps.”

Rutka longed to go outside without a yellow star on her dress—to romp among fragrant flowers and trees.

“I’m young in age but old in experience,” she wrote in her diary. “The rope around us is getting tighter and tighter. Despite all these atrocities, I want to live…”

29 January 2021

Published January 27, 2021 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Marie Gail Stratford

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This week, January 27, marks the 76th anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz. May we never forget.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

MEYN SHEYNER FRINTZ

מיין שיינער פרינץ

For my fifth birthday in 1939, Papa, my handsome prince, gave me a beautiful book called “Kinder und Hausmärchen.”

The next year we went into hiding with Papa’s Christian friends in the country. Three years later the SS arrested us.

At nights in my bunk, I’d close my eyes and imagine Papa reading Briar Rose or Rapunzel, mimicking the ladies with squeaky falsetto voices to make me laugh.

I was eleven when American soldiers liberated us from the camp. I searched for my handsome prince, but Papa was nowhere to be found. For me there is no happily ever after.

Meyn Sheyner Frintz – My Handsome Prince in Yiddish

The Book was also known as Grimm’s Fairytales

It’s a 48 minute commitment but THIS LINK leads to a wonderful story of how one woman survived and has lived to tell and retell her story.

LANGUAGE OF THE HEART

Published January 27, 2021 by rochellewisoff

PHOTO PROMPT © Marie Gail Stratford

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I hope you’ll forgive me for taking places one and two on the Hollywood Squares. This story was begging to be told this week.

Genre: Historical Fiction Circa 1966

Word Count: 100

LANGUAGE OF THE HEART

Supper dishes put away; Marie sank down on the sofa next to ten-year-old Rachel. “What’s on television?”

“Hollywood Bowl. Marcel Marceau’s on tonight.”

“The mime? I met him.”

“Really, Mom?” Rachel gasped. “When?”

“Over twenty years ago.” As white-faced Marceau chased imaginary butterflies across the stage, memories flooded Marie. “After my parents were deported to Auschwitz my brother and I were put in an orphanage. Marcel was but a boy himself when he entertained us with his silent art and led us to safety over the Swiss border.”

“Wow. Did you get his autograph?”

“Oui. It’s engraved on my heart.”

I had the pleasure of seeing him perform live in 1992. He was amazing even from the highest seat in the theatre. Click the photo to learn more about this Jewish boy from Strasbourg, France.

22 January 2021

Published January 20, 2021 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

STEPPIN’ STONES

Janelle thumbed through Variety. “NBC’s airing a new program called ‘Circus Boy.’” She ruffled her ten-year-old son’s blond hair. “Would you like to audition?”

“Nah.” Micky wrinkled his nose. “I got a baseball game.”

“You know what Dad says. ‘You have to follow the fish; the fish won’t follow you.’”

Micky, who enjoyed watching his father act on television, thought for a moment. “Okay. I’ll go.”

Two years later, Micky “Braddock” aka Corky learned about fleeting fame when “Circus Boy” ended.

Opportunity knocked again via NBC when 20-year-old Micky Dolenz snagged the role of the “Pre-Fab-Four’s” drummer in “The Monkees.”

peter-tork-micky-dolenz-davy-jones-michael-nesmith

George and Janelle Dolenz with newborn Micky

George and Janelle Dolenz

the-monkees-peter-tork-michael-nesmith-george-michael-dolenz-wallpaper-preview

In case you never caught the 1956-58 show (I didn’t), meet Micky Braddock

And one of my favorite Monkees songs with Micky singing lead.

14 January 2021

Published January 13, 2021 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

LISTEN TO THE BAND

“I’ve had enough of this scene,” said Stephen Stills as he sat at a coffee house in Greenwich Village. “I’m off to LA.”

Peter picked out a tune on his guitar. “Ya think you’ll make more bread out there?”

“Dunno. But it’s warmer.”

_____

As the two basked in California sunshine, Stephen handed Peter a newspaper. “I’m auditioning. Why don’t you?”

Peter read the ad. “I’m a musician. Haven’t acted since the PTA play in grade school.”

“It says ‘Musicians-Singers.’”

“Okay. What’ve I got to lose?”

Years later, Peter Tork told an interviewer. “I’ll always have the Monkees on my back.”

Stephen Stills and Peter Tork

***

RIP Peter

February 13,1942- February 21, 2019

8 January 2021

Published January 6, 2021 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT @ Jan Wayne Fields

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

HEY! HEY! MERCY, WOMAN!

“I got a boy to raise. I can’t afford to lose this job.” Bette ripped the document from the IBM electric. The bank called it progress, she called it futile. “Doggone unerasable ink. Someone should invent…hmm.”

_____

“Is that paint in the blender?” asked 12-year-old Michael.

Bette took a bottle of the white stuff to work with a small paintbrush. Before she knew it, her coworkers clamored for a bottle. She called her lucrative invention “Mistake-Out.”

______

“My mom was a dynamo. She built the Liquid Paper Corporation from nothing.” Monkee Michael Nesmith drawled. “All I did was sing and write songs.”

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(Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

and just for fun…one of the songs Mike Nesmith wrote

1 January 2021

Published December 30, 2020 by rochellewisoff

A TOAST TO A SAFE AND HAPPY YEAR!

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PHOTO PROMPT © Na’ama Yehuda

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Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 100

ED SULLIVAN PRESENTS

“My 8^th grade friends adored the Monkees.”

“You didn’t, I presume.” Dale sips her Sangiovese.

“Beatles copycats created by NBC. Actors.”

“Not Kosher, eh?”

“As a ham sandwich. Like every other American kid, I glued myself to the TV, February 9, 1964, dazzled by the four lads from Liverpool. My 10-year-old heart floated on the clouds, unaware of any other guest stars.” I click a link. “Until now.”

“Anyone I’d know?”

“Ever hear of Davy Jones?”

“The Monkee? Sure.”

“He reprised his Oliver Twist role as the Artful Dodger that very night.”

“Who knew?”

I raise my glass. “Vive internet!”

*

The Monkees were handpicked by NBC for a silly television show to capitalize on the Beatles’ movie Help. Ironically, these four guys did become a band in their own right. And, for the record, I do enjoy their music.

R.I.P. David Jones – December 30, 1945 to February 29, 2012 😦

25 December 2020

Published December 23, 2020 by rochellewisoff

Whatever holiday you celebrate or don’t at this time of year I wish you a season of peace and joy.

Shalom, Rochelle

The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

A DAY FOR LOVING

“Gonna to be the best Christmas ever.” Mildred wrapped the last of the children’s presents. “I was beginning to fear hope was gone.”

She would never forget that night nine years ago. Beside Richard, she woke to a blinding flashlight and a gruff voice. “Whatcha think you’re doin’?”

She pointed to the District of Columbia marriage license on the wall. “I’m his wife.”

“Not here you ain’t.” The Caroline County sheriff snarled. “Here it’s illegal for white to marry colored.”

“Thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court,” Richard Loving circled his arms around Mildred and kissed her, “I can love my wife.”

*

18 December 2020

Published December 16, 2020 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

BEYOND THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD

“Here’s something you might enjoy, Raymond.” Annie handed her young son a book. “The Wizard of Oz. It teaches us that everyone has a brain, a heart and courage.”

“I love it, Mama.”

In his teens he discovered the theater. He idolized Fred Stone who originated the role of the scarecrow in the stage version of L. Frank Baum’s classic. Stone’s loose-limbed dance form intrigued Raymond.

Against his father’s wishes, the courageous youth set his mind on a career in entertainment.

As the scarecrow, with haphazard style, Ray Bolger danced across the screen in M-G-M’s classic The Wizard of Oz.

11 December 2020

Published December 9, 2020 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Fiction

Word Count: 100

THE PEOPLE’S PLAYGROUND

My dad held my hand as we walked along the boardwalk. The sea breeze riffled through my hair and the food scents tantalized my nostrils.

“The Steeplechase was my favorite.” Daddy mused. “You mounted a mechanical horse on a rail and whoosh! Instant horserace. Too bad they tore it down years ago.”

We sat on a bench munching our Nathan’s hotdogs, replete with mustard and sauerkraut. Seagulls clambered over one another, competing for the crumbs we dropped.

Two lifetimes later, my grandson and I munch Nathan’s hotdogs and prepare to ride the new Steeplechase.

Some things change. Some things don’t.