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A Curious Prying Fellow
When Norman’s tutor at the Peeping-Tom Academy discovered Norman was in his mid-forties, still lived with his mother and owned his own anorak, he was fast-tracked to Advanced Peepery.
After learning to drill holes without sawdust dropping through to the other side, the class headed to town with their cameras.
The trick, their tutor explained, is to look like you’re taking a picture of one thing, when actually, your focus is on something else entirely. Norman grasped the concept immediately and pointed his camera at an old bicycle.
The camera clicked and whirred. ‘Oh yes,’ murmured Norman. ‘Lovely, lovely legs.’
(100 words)
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It’s been a few weeks and I’ve really missed FF so it’s great to be back! Did you miss me as much as I missed you?
For those who don’t know, Friday Fictioneers is a challenge to write a 100 word story from a picture prompt. It’s hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, and anyone can play. Thanks for hosting, Rochelle! Check out the link below to see what other fictioneers did with this week’s prompt.
Need more Friday Fiction? Click the blue frog to read more stories from other fictioneers!
EL Appleby: Brain Fragments 
Of course we missed you, Henry. 🙂 Seriously, good to have you back, even if you’re a peeping Appleby. I think Norman may need another class or two.
janet
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Hi Janet
I think my comeback may have been a bit of a flop. The idea was that Norman was taking a picture of the bike, but he was actually more interested in the legs on the right hand side.
Oh well, maybe I’ll be back on form next time!
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Dear EL,
Sounds perhaps that poor Norman might need some spectacles to go with this anorak. Fun story and happy to have you bac among us. I’ve indeed miss you!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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HI Rochelle
It’s great to be back! Although clearly I’m a bit rusty. I’ve added a photo to make my ‘vision’ clearer
🙂
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Yes, you have been missed, El … and what gold you turned up with! That first sentence … Peeping Tom Academy! What a RIOT! I knew I was in for it from then on. I kept thinking of Norman Bates since he DID drill a hole behind a portrait to spy on Marion Crane in that Hitchcock movie. 😉
Enjoyable entry!.
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Thanks Kent.
I have, of course, missed you the most! When I thought Norman, I knew it was a bit of a creepy name, but I’d forgotten all about Norman Bates. Must have been deep down in my subconscious somewhere.
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This is so original!
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Thank you!
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Hurrah! You’re back. Phew! Friday’s are saved. x
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You’re very sweet!
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Welcome back, sorely missed. And thanks for the smile. 🙂
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Thanks Sandra, can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to while I’ve been out of action.
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Loved it!
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Thank you 🙂
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I chuckled.
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Which means it worked!
thanks 🙂
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Anytime! 🙂
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Ha ha. Is our friend Norman failing Peeping-Tom Academy?
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HI Denmother
I don’t think my idea came across as well as I wanted it to. I’ve added a picture to clarify. If you get time to pop back over here, all may become clear!
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Got it! A good old fashioned pervert after all. Sneaky and clever, el.
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[…] Friday Fiction: A Curious Prying Fellow (elappleby.wordpress.com) […]
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[…] Friday Fiction: A Curious Prying Fellow (elappleby.wordpress.com) […]
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Loved it 🙂
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Thank you!
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Nice job, darling. Way to take the attention off of the bike.
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Thanks Helena, I couldn’t think of anything to write about a bike, but those lovely legs in the corner were begging for a story!
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When Norman looked at his listed of required peeps he must have mistaken wheels for legs. Glad to see you back, I have wondered what happened. I thought maybe Wimbledon or you were keeping watch out side the hospital for the Royals.
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HI Joe
I’ve had to limit my screen time due to headaches, so am only popping in once a day at the most to see what’s happening. It’s very limiting. Wimbledon was cool. The Royal baby? Not so much. Not my kind of thing, really.
As for my story, look closely at the picture and you will see there is indeed a very nice pair of legs!
Lovely to hear from you 🙂
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A creepy response, and original as hell – great job!
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Thank you, I love being original! My greatest fear is that someone will write a similar story to me. I don’t think I have anything to worry about this week though!
Thanks for commenting 🙂
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And just where have you been?! Huh huh!! Of course you’ve been missed. Loved the story. Have missed you and your bent sense of humor. 🙂
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Hi Jackie
I’ve been being a mushroom and hiding in the dark (luckily not covered in sh*t, though!). Headaches, nightmare bloody headaches. I’m back now though, and looking forward to seeing what you’ve been up to whilst I’ve been away 😀
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Headaches?? Ouch! I’m so sorry El. I had migraines when I was younger so I can sympathize. You take care of yourself. You’re the funniest writer around. Glad you’re back. 🙂
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Thanks Jackie, I tried to go and see your page a few times but there’s something up with wordpress and it won’t let me in. I also can’t visit Rochelle, and at the weekend it wouldn’t let me visit my own page! I’ll keep trying though, I’ll get to yours somehow!
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Well shame on wordpress! I know they have been having some problems lately especially in the UK for some reason. A lot of people have been ending up in Spam. Hope it sorts itself out!
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Creepy!
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Oh yes, I wouldn’t have it any other way 😀
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Love how you focused away from the bike and then gave us a full explanation through the story.
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Thank you. I have to admit that I noticed the nice pair of legs immediately. Not sure what that says about me!
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Great use of the prompt and a very clever story! Never would have seen those legs myself; does the Peeping Tom Academy have a department that focuses on points north? If that’s so, sign me up!
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Thanks Perry. I think they start at the bottom and work their way up. They’ll get to the ‘northern points’ eventually!
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Glad you’re back. I knew you’d focus on the legs but expected you to go for the ones on the table… great as ever.
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Maybe Norman was focusing on the chair legs, Mike. I wouldn’t put it past El to have him as a furniture pervert. Brilliantly weird use of a perfectly average photo, as always. Thanks, well done and welcome back.
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Excellent piece. I like the way you write. And a beautiful twist at the end, my kinda story.
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thank you so much! That’s one of the loveliest comments I’ve had 😀
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A jersey makes leg look great 😉
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Welcome back, El–missed you and your funnies. Good story about Norman, the leg man.
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I love this, such a clever story and so well written. The twist at the end is just perfect.
I’m still laughing at the idea of someone being ‘fast tracked to Advance Peepery’
Good to see you back
Dee
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welcome back ! When I read Peeping-Tom Academy I knew you were back with a bang ! you were missed definitely… I have been late with my story of last week.. just got it up 🙂 hilarious story 🙂
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hahahaha O.M.G., that’s a seriously creepy academy ^^ ^^ hilarious! thanks for the laugh 🙂
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