“Time to leave Tristam.” The barman cleared the glasses. “You’ve had enough.”
“Don’t tell me what to do. All day they’ve been at me. The bastards, they think they own me. Do this Tristam. Do that Tristam. Can’t just leave me to do my work. Gimme another then I’ll go.”
“Come on Tristam. Don’t make me call the police. Go home. Dinner will be on the table. Muttering, Tristan staggered into the street and stumbled the short distance to his house.
“Gloria, I want my dinner?”
“It’ll be …..”
“Now! Here, at least, in my own house I’m the boss.”
In response to Charlie’s prompt where she asks:
February 3, 2016 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that explores the question, “What good is power?” Is it a story of empowerment, or a story of a dictator? Poke around power and go where the force takes you this week.
Respond by February 9, 2016 to be included in the weekly compilation. Rules are here. All writers are welcome!
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
All too familiar. Those who are powerless in one situation, try to take control in another. Sad.
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Children are probably the only really powerless people but when they go to school they start to learn the politics of power.
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I agree with Sarah. Big fleas have small fleas, on their backs to bite ’em. Small fleas have smaller fleas and so ad infinitum.
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And I hate fleas.
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Feeling sorry only for Gloria.
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Perhaps she lords it over someone else.
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Great flash Irene. Power over empathy every time 😦
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I have to admit I feel a bit for Tristam. Starting with his name.
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Yes.. I noticed the name choice! A deliberate infliction?!
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Well done – a tragic but often true tale of power.
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thank you Jan. Yes I think that is probably true.
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Doesn’t that express the pecking order of power? Often abuse in the home is because the abuser feels powerless outside the home. Sad, but you write it well.
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Thanks Charli. Sad whichever way you look at it.
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Yes the pecking order of power. Everyone needs to feel they have some control over their own lives. When they feel powerless they must find a victim over whom they can feel powerful. Sad. If we were all more kind and respectful to each other the situation would be alleviated, at least a little.
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I guess that is why communism has never worked – people are hardwired for power. Some more than others.
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Sad, but all too true. That sense of disempowerment (is that an actual word?) and then finding a different kind of power, but in all the wrong ways. Poor Tristam. Poor Gloria. Great flash Irene.
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Thanks Sherri. Whether its a word or not it makes sense for that is exactly what it is.
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