Hugh's Views & News

WordPress & Blogging tips, flash fiction, photography and lots more!

Flash Fiction – Black Friday

Published by

Hugh W. Roberts

Nov 24, 2023

November 21, 2023, prompt: Write a story about a ship named the Huntress in 99 words (no more, no less). What type of ship is it? Where does it go, and what does it carry? Who are the characters involved with this ship? What happens? Go where the prompt leads!

Black Friday – by Hugh W. Roberts

Amidst the chaos of Black Friday, a different kind of frenzy unfolded at the bustling harbour.

The “Huntress,” a magnificent ship, emerged as the ultimate deal. Legend whispered of hidden bargains aboard, drawing crowds like magnets.

At midday, eager shoppers transformed into intrepid adventurers, storming the gangplank in pursuit of discounts and the allure of maritime mystery.

The ship creaked and groaned, a vessel caught between commerce and legend.

Black Friday bargains blended with the salty sea breeze, creating unforgettable chapters in retail history as the Huntress sailed into what remained of Black Friday, laden with goods and dreams.

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.

Image of a classic ship with large sails sailing in choppy sea waters. — Image Credit: Charli Mills

***

Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘Glimpses.’

Glimpses

28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

***

Follow Hugh on his social media platforms by clicking the buttons below.

Discover more from Hugh’s Views & News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

30 responses to “Flash Fiction – Black Friday”

Michael B. Fishman

Dec 4, 2023

This is a great line: “a vessel caught between commerce and legend.”

I don’t know if this is a tale of modern shanghaiing or just a ship where patrons shop non-stop for eternity or something else, but I liked it!

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Dec 4, 2023
  
  Glad you enjoyed this short tale. Thanks, Michael.
  
  Reply
Did You Miss Any Of These Blog Posts? Monthly Round-Up – November 2023

Nov 30, 2023

[…] Flash Fiction – Black Friday […]

Reply
Brenda

Nov 28, 2023

Love it Hugh, but I did wonder if they walked the plank at the other side of the ship too 🤣

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Nov 28, 2023
  
  Who knows, Brenda? But I expect some of them will have.
  
  Reply
Mr. Ohh’s Sideways View

Nov 26, 2023

Great story Hugh I’ve been so busy I didn’t partake of the prompt this time 🤣😎🙃

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Nov 27, 2023
  
  Thank you.
  
  Not to worry. I don’t participate every week. Just when I can. It’s more fun that way.
  
  Reply
Eugi

Nov 25, 2023

You have to know your products and what they retailed at initially. I do a lot of research before I make a purchase. Some so-called Black Friday deals are not a good deal. I shop online because I’m not too fond of crowds and I can research ahead of time. I love your Black Friday story, Hugh.

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Nov 26, 2023
  
  Same here, Eugi. I dislike crowds, and queuing at the cash register when I could be home buying the same products.
  
  Glad you like my Black Friday story.
  
  Reply
Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com

Nov 24, 2023

Very nice, Hugh. Since I stay away from Black Friday shopping, I guess I won’t be walking that gangplank. “I’ll leave the “goods and dreams” to others.

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Nov 25, 2023
  
  That’s a good idea, Janis.
  
  Reply
Erika

Nov 24, 2023

I think this year is the first time we have taken advantage of Black Friday, since my husband and I are going for a new mobile phone after almost 6 years 😄

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Nov 24, 2023
  
  But did you get a bargain, Erika? I did see that Apple were offering gift cards on most purchases this Black Friday weekend.
  
  Reply
  1. Erika
    
    Nov 27, 2023
    
    Yes. we did. We already checked on certain Samsung cell phones. But they had a price we were not willing to pay (or at least I wasn’t… hehe). Last Friday, we spontaneously checked prices with different providers and got the same phones for a 2/3 of the original price. So, yes, that was a bargain.
    
    Reply
    1. Hugh W. Roberts
      
      Nov 27, 2023
      
      A Black Friday success story. Well done, Erika.
      
      Reply
      1. Erika
        
        Nov 27, 2023
        
        Haha, thank you, Hugh 😊
        
        Reply
noelleg44

Nov 24, 2023

Such fun, Hugh. I loved the words “laden with goods and dreams. That is quintessential Black Friday – so much of the shopping is dreams.

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Nov 24, 2023
  
  Some of those bargains we hear about on days like Black Friday are nothing but dreams, Noelle. And those dreams can become nightmares if we allow them too.
  
  Reply
  1. noelleg44
    
    Nov 24, 2023
    
    I agree! Maybe we should call it black hole day?
    
    Reply
Dan Antion

Nov 24, 2023

Good job, Hugh. If I see the gangplank, I think I’ll keep on walking. We make every effort to avoid Black Friday sales. The worst is a TV ad from WalMart. They’re selling a pair of headphones for $49. I bought the same pair at Target for $29 in July.

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Nov 24, 2023
  
  There you go, Dan. Not all these deals are deals, yet many people think they’re getting a bargain simply because it’s Black Friday. I always use a website called camelcamelcamel.com to check prices of goods on Amazon. You’d be surprised how some of their deals are not deals at all when they’ve been at lower prices than on Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day.
  
  Reply
  1. Dan Antion
    
    Nov 24, 2023
    
    You have to be sharp.
    
    Reply
willowdot21

Nov 24, 2023

So do I Hugh especially as 99% of it is not really a bargain at all 💜 💜

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Nov 24, 2023
  
  Very true. Martin Lewis said that if it’s 50% off and you really do need it, then you’ve saved 50%. But if it’s 50% off and you don’t need it, then you’ve wasted 100%.
  
  Reply
  1. willowdot21
    
    Nov 24, 2023
    
    Absolutely 😁😁😁
    
    Reply
Esther Chilton

Nov 24, 2023

Great story, Hugh. You should write another collection of short stories!

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Nov 24, 2023
  
  I have a fair few for a collection, but it’s getting myself motivated to transfer them into another collection, Esther.
  
  And I just saw your post about me winning your book competition. What a way to end the week. Thanks so much. I’m over the moon with that.
  
  Reply
  1. Esther Chilton
    
    Nov 24, 2023
    
    It’s very well-deserved. It’s a great story. Please could you email me your address and I’ll post your book out. Thank you so much for entering.
    
    I know what you mean – the paperback of my latest collection of stories is coming out next week and it’s been such hard work! But worth it.
    
    Reply
willowdot21

Nov 24, 2023

Shiver my timbers Hugh that a bit of a pantone…and I love it 💜💜

Reply
1. Hugh W. Roberts
  
  Nov 24, 2023
  
  Thanks, Willow. I’m glad you saw some humour in it. I always feel sorry for all those people who shop mad in those crowds buying stuff they don’t really need on Black Friday.
  
  Reply

I’m Hugh

Welcome to my blog. I’m delighted to have you here. This is the place to discover tips on blogging and WordPress, flash fiction, photography, and more. I enjoy engaging with my readers, so please feel free to explore, join discussions, and contact me. I’m happy to assist! Find out more about me and my blog by clicking the ‘Meet Hugh’ button.

Let’s connect

Latest posts

Subscribe to Hugh’s Views And News

Latest Posts

Why Now Is The Time To Pull Up My ‘Big Boy’ Trousers’ About My Blog
Tired of putting things off until tomorrow? Join me on my journey of transformation as I finally take the plunge on an important change for my blog. Discover how overcoming the ‘What if?’ moments have opened up a world of possibilities and excitement. Ready to see what’s next?
Stay Updated: Follow Me on Mastodon and the Fediverse
Follow this blog on Mastodon or the Fediverse to receive updates directly in your feed.
Unveiling ‘Story Chat Digest: Where Stories Meet’ – A Journey Through Fiction, Community, and Creativity!
Discover the magic of storytelling at its best! I invite you to delve into a world created by diverse voices from around the globe. Curious to discover what happens when a television connects with the past and the future? Read on to uncover the stories and inspiration behind this engaging new collection!
Reflections of Elegance: A Dance Beyond the Veil
Have you ever taken a dance class?
How to Stop Appearing as Anonymous When Leaving Comments on WordPress
Tired of your comments appearing as ‘Anonymous?’ Here’s why it happens and how to fix the issue.
Blogging – Is It All That You Want It To Be?
How long have you blogged for? A brief and honest look at the world of blogging over the last 12 years.

Follow Hugh in the Fediverse

Hugh's Views & News

@hughsviewsandnews.com@hughsviewsandnews.com

WordPress & Blogging tips, flash fiction, photography and lots more!

402 posts

6 followers

Thank you to all my visitors

469,285 hits

252,715 visitors

Most Viewed Posts & Pages

True Stories: Gay Memories – Going To A Gay Bar For The First Time #LGBTQI #LGBTJan 17, 2022Hugh W. Roberts

True Stories: Gay Memories – The Day My Life Changed #LGBTQI #LGBTOct 1, 2020Hugh W. Roberts

Meet Hugh – Updated April 2026Aug 12, 2022Hugh W. Roberts

True Stories: Confessions Of A Gay Man – JobsFeb 26, 2024Hugh W. Roberts

Blogging – Is It All That You Want It To Be?Feb 16, 2026Hugh W. Roberts

Copyright Protected Blog

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

This work by Hugh W. Roberts, and/or Hugh’s Views And News blog, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material (text and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. If you want to use posts, excerpts, photos and links, you may contact me first. You must give full and clear credit to Hugh W. Roberts and Hugh’s Views And News dot com with links to the original content.

Hugh's Views & News

WordPress & Blogging tips, flash fiction, photography and lots more!