Last Masque From Madame F

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Last Masque From Madame F

Last Masque From Madame F

Photo prompt courtesy of Fatima Fakier Deria

Venice equals party, glamour, beauty. The whole enchilada. So I was way over the moon when Madame F promised to create a masque reflecting my inner self, my true qualities. But look at it. She’s created a crone, a warty witch woman. All we need is the cauldron. No, please don’t comment on it. I am mortified. Yet F tried to charge enough to keep all the gondoliers’ progeny on bolognese for the next two millennia! Madame F can stick that masque right where the sun don’t shine. She ain’t getting a penny piece. She ain’t got no damn class.

Published by jillyfunnell

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58 thoughts on “Last Masque From Madame F”

  7. Dear Jilly,

    Your story reminds me of on of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes called The Mask. A millionaire is dying and his children in their greed, not grief come to his bedside. He gives them each grotesque masks to wear for “fun.” In the end, when they remove them, their faces have been altered to match the masks that reflect their true inner selves.
    One of the shows most brilliant episodes IMHO.

    Good story.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Thank you so much, Rochelle. I used to love Twilight Zone, those floating faces at the beginning, and brilliant twisty late night tales. I suppose it’s the old Dorian Grey theme revisited as well.

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  11. Thank you, Dale. Somehow the image reminded me of a set of pictures that were given to our office – the boss said they are carnival pictures but when they turned up they were dark and the people wore black cloacks and very sinister masks. I had assumed carnival meant frills and flounces and bright primary colours. The pictures never made it on to the walls.

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  17. Loved the story, Jilly. How we see ourselves and how others see us is often two entire different things. As for Neil’s comment about the voice being so YOU, I’d take that as a compliment. A strong voice is what distinguishes a good writer from an average one. Great job on this piece.

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  23. Great story, Jilly. It reminds me of when I was in Paris as a 22 year old with some friends. I had a portrait done in front of Notre Dame but my two friends each had a caricature down and the artist made my friend look hideous and she was mortified. I actually managed to not only photograph this caricature before it was sent to burn in hell. I also captured her response and she looks like she’s had a case of severe gastro. There’s a look of absolute horror on her face. I felt so sorry for her, but must confess there was just a little delight…bad friend!
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

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    1. I am guessing a caricature is a risk but my daughter and her colleague had theirs done at their firm’s Christmas party and the picture is terrific. I think that artist in Paris was mean to your friend. Why not flatter her a little bit? I think you can be excused your own reaction – put it down to careless youth! I am glad you liked my story, thank you so much, Rowena.

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  26. Madame F obviously sees something about your protagonist that they refuse to see in themselves. You have to be pretty self-aware and confident to allow a masque made which reflects your inner self 🙂

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  28. This reminds me of those mirrors at carnivals that alter the way we look.
    The difference is that Madame F must truly believe that this mask is truly for a witchy witch.
    Such a visual write, Jilly, I could picture her face when she sees it. Have a great weekend ….
    Isadora 😎

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      1. My pleasure, Jilly. You’re a very good writer. I was going through your Lady Chatterley-inspired tale. Please pardon my ignorance, but may I ask by mentioning Huxley did you mean his book Brave New World? I’hv only read Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley so my knowledge here is quite restricted.

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      2. Dear Piyali You are very kind and your interest is terrific. I love to discuss books and writing. The lady behind my character in the 100 word fiction is a real person I have studied for a while because she has such an interesting story. Her name is Lady Ottoline Morrell. She generously encouraged and entertained some of the most creative people around during early 1900s England. She was a kind and loving person (not a saint though, she was delightfully human) but some of her guest were not so kind. Aldous Huxley wrote a book called Crome Yellow which caricatures Lady Ottoline’s home and personal lifestyle. D H Lawrence created a very upsetting caricature of her in Women in Love – Hermione Roddice, who hits her lover over the head with a paperweight – Ottoline would never dream of doing such a thing. Both writers hurt her very much. She didn’t speak to Lawrence for many years after Women in Love. I am currently working on three projects and one is her story told in today’s language alongside romantic verse describing her life. I hope to have the first draft finished by the end of ‘the year’ but I am not saying which year!!! Lovely to “talk” to you, Piyali, about this subject and thank you so much for your interest and curiosity and of course I do most enthusiastically suggest you take a look at Lady Ottoline. I am sure you will emphathise with her as much as I do. Very best wishes, Jilly

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      3. Sure, Jilly. After your recommendation, I am definitely gonna look her up. Thank you so much for taking out the time to help me learn about her. I am so glad to have found you here. Have a nice day!

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