“Jenni Plochka?” the worn woman in a pink bathrobe read the card in a harsh, tobacco and booze voice. The blue “Vacancy” flashed through her cigarette smoke. She frowned suspiciously. “Don’t get many BMWs here.”
“Just wanna crash. Gotta bed?”
“OK. But we paintin’ and wirin’, so th’only room is an old one at the end.”
Hungarian: Most Magyarul: A Szoba
Français: Histoire Libre: La Chambre d’Hôtel
Italiano: Storia gratuita: La Camera
Swedish: Gratis Berättelse: Rummet
— Free iBook copy —
Jenni felt tired – frustrated, hurt, confused. Why do I feel so bad? I never even liked him! she thought as she entered her musty room lit by a dangling bare bulb. She grimaced at the odor. Muttering “Shit” repeatedly, she grabbed a bar glass from above the sink, hauled a quart of Johnny Walker Black from her red Prada handbag, and half filled the glass.
In the corner was a round table and a chair, on the wall, a mirror. Jenni smiled too sweetly at herself. Slender and trim. She smiled and patted her prim blonde hair, then put one hand under a breast and frowned. Need more there! She downed the whiskey.
“Ugh!” she grimaced. “Needs ice!”
Jenni grabbed the ice bowl and headed for the office. As she approached the door, the bolt turned by itself. She unlocked it, but now the knob wouldn’t turn. She twisted the knob. She rattled the door. Nothing. She was trapped. “Oh shit,” she repeated, then “Fuck it! Who needs fuckin’ ice!”
She took her glass and bottle, and for a while, stared wistfully out the window. After a time, she sighed and put her fourth drink on the table.
Something groaned. Petrified, Jenni turned to see a withered hand stretch from under the bed. The light bulb popped. Only the streetlamp flickered through the window. Frantic, she ran to the door. The knob still wouldn’t turn! The bolt locked by itself again! Jenni jerked around, her back to the door.
From under the bed it came, a dark figure with frail arms and a bloated belly. It slithered up to Jenni who slid down to the floor, her mouth uttering silent screams. The phantom grinned with long, needle like teeth. He cackled hoarsely.
“You are hopeless, wretched, ugly. You will be fat and frivolous and everybody will hate you!”
Jenni whimpered in terror.
The demon grinned down evilly. Then suddenly he turned away.
“Oh shit!” he yelled petulantly. “Shit shit shit!” The figure plopped himself down in the chair. “I am so pathetic!“ He glanced at the table, picked up Jenni’s drink and chugged it.
No longer intimidated, Jenni called “Hey, that’s my drink.” He held out the bottle. Jenni grabbed another glass. “I am so pathetic!” the demon cried.
“Well you terrified me!” Jenni rejoined.
“YOU! You are even more pathetic! Always whimpering ‘Oh me ugly, not wanted, poor, poor me!…’ SHIT! So your mom’s a narcissistic bimbo. Get over it! At least she loves you… in her own way, anyway.
“You should see some real demons! Take that Mexican girl who busses dishes at your sorority. She escaped some heavy gangsters down there, but not her brother. Should see her demons! Boy do they get to play it up!
“And me, what do I get? YOU!”
Jenni regarded him, embarrassed. “Gee, I’m sorry. Guess I have been kinda sheltered.”
He gazed at her with a forlorn look. “I am so pathetic the other demons laugh at me!”
Jenni frowned sympathetically, then reached over and poured them both another glass of whiskey.
Purchase Anthologies
— Photo —
Door in Cluj (Kolosvar), Romania (2007)
© 2007 J M Manness
50 Cents Flash Fiction 
Nice little story! Really enjoyed it. Good luck with the book. I think I will pick one up.
I loved the story!! It was very entertaining. I also appreciate the unique photography and art work on the page. Thank You!
A weirdly funny piece–and if you like it check out his other stuff. Here’s a writer to watch.
Lee Norris
I loved it! Entertaining, funny, surprising. It was great. I will definitely buy the other stuff. And thank you for the wonderful photography.
It is remarkable how you tell such a poignant story with so few words. It reminds me of the kinds of dreams that have a mix of sharp, realistic details along with elements of fantasy that resonate with you for days. The story has a rich texture with carefully crafted detail and pacing, leading to a funny and satisfying ending. It is pure entertainment, but the dark humor that pervades the story may haunt the reader for a long time. Congratulations! I can’t wait to read more of your writing.
Very accurate brush strokes, Malcolm, we all are most comfortable with our own demons!
Kind of cute.
Great little story! Going to buy myself a copy to read the rest of the authors work. Really enjoyable read.
It grabbed me from the beginning and I had to finish. He writes in a way that you can exclaim yourself. I liked it good luck and God Speed.
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Good plot, good descriptions, but dialogue is contrived and character depth is non existent. Not trying to be mean just thought you might appreciate something other than meaningless flattery.
from the short story comes the award winning novelette! keep up the good work!
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This story exudes weirdness. In such a short piece, a writer has to get right to the complication, and Jaan does just that! An oddly touching story. A reader ends up feeling sympathetic to both characters.
Great read! A very focused development of a fun idea.
Quick, easy, entertaining read that kept me interested!Looking forward to another (with less demons hopefully for my tastes)!
JD
Thanks for the comment. For more, please check out the 2 anthologies for sale.
Very entertaining story that had a twist I didn’t see coming. Even Demon’s have problems! Loved the artwork and photography as well. I’ll be sure to refer to friends.
I wish I could have a drink with my demons!
Thank you for these, really wonderful stories.
A unique little story, with unexpected characters. I enjoyed reading in English better than the Hungarian translation. I look forward to reading more stories from this entertaining author.
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