How much of a story can be told in 100 words? You’ll surprised if you tune in each Wednesday for the photo prompt for Friday Fictioneers and read the stories that emerge! To access the list, click on the link critter at the bottom of the page. Stories are added daily (at least until the next prompt is out), so come back to read more. This group has some very talented and imaginative writers, so you’re sure to find something you love. And if you’d like to participate, there’s always room for another story.
copyright Marie Gail Stratford
Truth and Consequences
“In vino veritas.”
Kate and her friends had joked about that phrase during high school Latin. This morning, she dimly remembered sharing way too much veritas last night while being too much in vino. Groaning, she swallowed acetaminophen, wishing it could also take away the pain of reliving how she’d comprehensively trashed Joanna’s taste in men, particularly her fiancé. Even more unfortunate, if not cataclysmic, she also recalled lurching around to see said fiancé behind her. After that, things were mostly fuzzy, but truth be told, she thought the chances high she’d find herself defriended and not just on Facebook.
This, that and the other thing 
Truth can hurt a lot.. and Kate’s only hope lies in her friend’s stupor.. but alas there will be dire consequences in the vino…
And who knows if it’s even truth or just Kate’s idea? Even if true, some things may be better left unsaid.
janet
Oh boy, that rings awfully familiar to most of us, I’m sure. The Romans knew what they were talking about.
🙂
janet
nicely done
The Sunshine
Thanks very much.
janet
Very funny and unfortunately for many of us, very true. Clever play with veritas & vino, nice story.
“Loose lips sink ships” might have been a better thing to remember. 🙂
janet
Does the drink lie, or does the drink tell the truth? That’s the question.
Claire
So true and whose truth if ’tis true?
janet
Oh, my, I’ve been there a time or two! Well told.
Thanks, Alicia. Glad you liked it. I’m sorry it rings true for so many of us. 🙂
janet
I never get very far with the vino before veritas usually comes galloping along behind. Then, fortunately, I fall asleep very quickly so no chasing after other people’s boyfriends for me… Amusing take on the prompt, Janet and she deserves defriending, I think.
Falling asleep is better than saying things better left unsaid, Sandra, unless you’re driving, of course.
janet
Oops! Although possibly for the best if the fiancé’s as bad as all that. Perfect example of a story in 100 words, Janet: hook, character and plot, as well as beginning , middle and end.
Who knows if the fiancée is only that bad from Kate’s POV or really that much of a loser? That’s the problem with veritas from vino (or even when sober.) I find it interesting that fiancée is spelled with on “e” some places and two others. As for the comment about the complete story, I appreciate that!
janet
I hadn’t noticed the e’s – I assume it’s a typo though. One e (with accent) is male, two e’s (accent in the first) is female, but as she says “Taste in men, particularly fiancé” I assumed the fiancé was a man.
And I suppose what I really meant was not if the fiancé’s that bad, but if Kate hates him so much.
Hmmm, better change that one.
I remember when none of my friends boyfriends were good enough for them. I should have worried more about my own.
Too true in many cases, Dawn.
janet
Janet- Well this was a very real snapshot of Vino Veritas. Not that I’ve ever had the occasion to say too much while under the influence. Very clever.
I’m glad that’s never happened to you. 🙂
janet
Yes, no, never…..that’s the story I’m sticking with.
Sometimes the truth needs to be told, Janet, even if it’s in vino! Ha ha. Great story!
And this is why I never drank to excess! Great story janet. I love the wordplay that you do so well.
Thanks, Jackie. Not drinking to excess is a good choice!
janet
Poor, poor Kate. This story reminds me of a theme we were assigned to write in my high school rhetoric class: “In Anger, Wine, and Children, There is Truth.” I don’t remember what examples I used for ‘anger’ and ‘wine,’ but I do remember that I used Huck Finn as my primary example for the ‘children’ part.
Dear Janet,
A perfect example of speaking before thinking intensified by too much vino. Love the last line. The perfect exclamation point.
shalom,
Rochelle
I suspect her chances of being befriended were as high as she was.
I’m glad it was befriended and not beheaded – too much of that going around these days – and especially in countries where drinking is taboo. ;-0 Randy
Probably true in all cases, Randy.
janet
true
Some truth only with wine to be spoken!
True, but sometimes too truth is better left unspoken or at least said in an appropriate way and place. 🙂
janet
Ah, so, mixing languages – vino can also be muerte.
Scott
That it can, Scott. Thanks for dropping by and commenting. Hope your week’s going well.
janet
Ah, the fabled loosened tongue.
This is a great debate you’ve started – I’m sure we’ve all been in the situation where we’ve wanted to speak up, and possibly later regretted we had/hadn’t. Now, about your writing, may I be frank, … ?
You can’t be Frank; you’re Patrick.
janet
Quite a common situation I think! Hopefully her friend was too drunk to remember what she said 🙂
There’s a bright side I hadn’t considered, Dr. Ali!
janet
Dear Janet,
You poured a lot of story into a delightfully small glass. Your play on words with in vino verities was brilliant and the story vibrated with the ring of truth. And on the plus side of things, at least Kate remembered something of the night before. I think she will find herself sans at least one friend before long. Good job.
Aloha,
Doug
Unless, as Dr. Ali pointed out, her friend doesn’t remember either. Or maybe friendship and forgiveness will trump all as they sometimes do.
janet
i think she’s just being paranoid. she should act as if nothing had happened.
Uh oh, tricky! But hey, why this issue with my taste in men! (LOL) Nice one, Janet.
I picked the name at random, as it’s one I like, but thought of you afterwards. But I knew you wouldn’t mind and would even enjoy it. 🙂
🙂
The thing about drinking to excess is that it often causes that dreaded ‘foot-in-the-mouth’ disease.
So true, Subroto.
janet
and that is why i don’t drink… anymore. 🙂 funny story, Janet.
Hi Janet,
I love the wordplay here, and you sure managed to pack a lot of story into 100 words!
Great story. You’ve managed to show past, present and probable future for poor Kate in one masterful, economically composed paragraph. I feel for her.
Marg
Thanks so much, Marg. I appreciate you stopping by and hope you enjoy your weekend.
janet
A funny and mortifying situation — there is indeed truth in wine! Enjoyed your story!
Thanks for stopping by, reading and commenting. Glad you enjoyed the story.
janet
Janet, Funny story, 😀 but not so funny for Kate. It’s a good rule not to criticize boyfriends. The friend probably knew her boyfriend well and was accepting his faults. People just don’t like to hear it said out loud. It’ll take a long time for her the others at that party to forget and forgive, if ever. 🙂 —Susan
Susan, it’s a good rule not to criticize friends at all but under the influence, wisdom often goes out the door. I think if you really didn’t like someone’s boy/girlfriend or spouse, it would be difficult, especially if you saw them often.
janet
Janet, Sorry. I forgot to add, “Well written as usual.” 🙂 —Susan
🙂 Thanks.
Some friends can take it. Some can’t.
True.
janet
That vino be veritas serum, me thinks. So very clever Janet. Love the mix of the words of yesteryear with the social media of today. 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Truth serum can be a dangerous thing!
janet
Dear Janet, You crack me up – love the story and see me doing this a lot – mostly on liquor – it’s quicker. I have pulled a lot of pranks whilst inebriated. And more times than I have fingers and toes. I’m sorry world! This brought smiles to me – and I’m still smiling.
Thanks, Nan 🙂
Always glad to make you smile, Nan (unless I wrote a sad story, of course.)
janet
Ah the day;after, consequences indeed!
True!
janet
Wine sure can bring it out of us, can’t it? The use of the Latin is great, as I have come to expect from you. Great work, Janet!
Any kind of alcohol works, Kent. 🙂
Vino can certainly loosen the tongue. I’ve seen a lot of people get drunk and share opinions no one wanted to hear.
And they often share loudly!
janet