Friday Fictioneers
I just sang Walk on By and they walked on by. I used to have a studio. I made records, sold lots. I filled halls, played festivals. Now look at me. In my guitar case, there’s just a few coppers, a pound coin and screwed-up chocolate wrapper.
See him, posing for selfies? Last time we met I was Jack-the-lad and he was sleeping rough. I once helped him out, gave him a bed and a square meal.
Think positive. I can do it. Smile, sing. Give ‘em soul, show ‘em Elvis lives! I will eat tonight. I will!
Please God say I will.
For Friday Fictioneers which is hosted by Rochelle who also provided this week’s picture.
Regret and desperation in equal measures. Well done, Keith.
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Indeed. Thank you Sandra
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With a thread of hope.
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The dream turning to a nightmare.
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It happens. Cheers Iain.
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Intriguing story which left me wondering how he ended up losing everything. Was it because of the guy he helped? Nicely done, Keith.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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I hadn’t thought of that! Now you/ve got ME wondering!
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Dear Keith,
The desperation in that last line is tangible. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s very kind of you, thanks, Rochelle.
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Elvis has left the building.
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Indeed he has! Cheers James.
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This just makes me so sad. You’ve written it beautifully, or it wouldn’t have had such an effect.
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Thanks so much for reading and commenting, it makes it all worthwhile.
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Well written and really touching. How many of those old guys we see are living the hard life of a “has been”? Some buskers make a good living; we heard of one young man, playing the flute, who made enough to pay his way through university.
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They do, and they often sell their CD’s! Not this chap though!
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It’s tough at the top, but much tougher at the bottom.
Good one, Keith
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Perfectly put CE, thank you.
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So easy for anyone to fall down like that. A sad story Keith
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Too easy. Thank you, Lynn.
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My pleasure
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Really emotionally written Keith.
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Thanks so much Louise
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Not everyone makes it big in music. I could feel his pain and despair.
Well done.
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Very true, cheers Dale.
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I’m rooting for this busker too! He’s had a taste of life in the real world and deserves a break.
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Hopefully he’ll travel full circle! Thanks Vivian
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😊
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Hope is the last thing that leaves… but sometimes I think there is a lower low for everyone.
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As you say, there’s low and rock bottom. Chers Bjorn
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Keith, this one grabbed me and won’t let me go. It’s truly one of your best. Great rhythm, well-chosen words. Kudos!!!
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Wow, thank you, Alicia! I’m delighted it worked!
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What a come down. Lots of hardluck stories this week. Well portrayed.
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Aren’t there just! Cheers.
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Great use of 100 words. I love seeing good buskers, and often wonder about their life story.
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Me too, thanks Mike.
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There have been a couple of people i’ve known like this. On top, and one slip, and it’s gone.
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It happens, sometimes by their own means, sometimes due to poor fortune.
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Fame and success are fickle, aren’t they?
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Fickle friends indeed. Thank you.
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A tough life, especially coming after success. Love the first line!
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Thank you so much.
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That’s show business – the higher you climb the harder you fall.
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So true. There’s no business like it. Cheers Liz
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Such a tragic story, looking back at past glory and, I assume, regretting the poor choices and chances squandered that landed him in such poor straits.
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So often poor choices lead to a downfall. In his case even I don’t know. Thanks Joy.
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It made me think of all the one-hit-wonders. They rose to the top quickly, then crashed and burned almost as fast. Music is a tough business.
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There are indeed so many examples, Only the strongest survive. Cheers Russell.
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Sad story of someone who once enjoyed fame.
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Indeed. Thanks so much.
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An affecting story, beautifully told. I love buskers and find it almost impossible not to stop and listen awhile and drop a bit of cash into the hat. Great opening with him singing “Walk On By” as they walk on by.
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Me too and the more different the better. Thanks so much for your generous words Jilly
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Life can unravel so easily. You captured his desperate tone perfectly.
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It certainly can Ellie, thanks so much.
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You gotta love his positive thinking!
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It’s a powerful weapon. Cheers Dawn
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Great job. The ups and downs of life …
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Thanks so much.
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You conveyed his desperation and determination to keep positive. The depressing thoughts raging through his mind must be horrifying.
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At leas he’s not giving up, not yet anyway. Thanks Michael.
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such a deep piece for so short – felt the angst (and love how sandra wrote equal measures – bah)
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Thanks so much. Yes, she summed it perfectly.
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🙂
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I feel like running out and finding a random busker to lay some money on.
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There are some very deserving ones. Thanks Alice.
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Life for many is very difficult. I felt his anguish and desperation, yet determined to survive another day. Well done!
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He will I think – I hope. Cheers Brenda
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Well done, Keith. There is always a story behind every person, and you put a face on those who are so often fleetingly faceless, even if we pause to put some coins or a dollar bill in their case.
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I often wonder, then forget again a few minutes later. Thanks for your comment.
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sad. it looks like he didn’t save for the rainy days.
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Such is the world for so many so-called celebrities. Cheers plaridel
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Lovely and sad
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…but determined nonetheless. Thanks Laurie
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Such is the life of a busker. Some days you don’t eat, some days you eat like a king. You portrayed this life very well.
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So true EA. Now that so many people have read about him, he might start doing pretty well…oh, hang on, it’s fiction!
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There’s a great documentary out there called “Searching for Sugar Man.” If you haven’t already heard of it, you should see it. It’s an amazing story about a rise to fame and a fall from grace.
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No, I’ve not seen it. I’ll seek it out, thank you.
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Well done. Humor at the beginning and the harsh reality at the end.
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Such was his life – so far. Cheers, Sascha.
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So far–is an important qualifier. Hopefully it will turn around.
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Who knows what tomorrow may bring?
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A touching story with many layers.Made me think how time and luck are so fickle.
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Who knows what tomorrow may bring. Thanks YS
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Haunting stuff Keith. Very powerfully written.
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Thank you so much
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This is wonderful, filled with hope and regret.
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That’s very kind of you Kelley, thank you so much.
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Oh, a tragic story. How did his dreams turn into a nightmare, I wonder. The best part is, the narrative allows me to interpret the story (as a reader) in different ways.
A part of me says that he ended up like this because of the person he helped once.
The second interpretation is that he could never make it big as a musician (not because of any lack of talent but circumstances perhaps) and now he has resigned to his fate.
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Both scenarios played out in my mind as I wrote this, also that his music was no longer current. In the pop ‘music’ digital age however it’s not that necessary to be musical at all . Anyway, I’ll leave it to you to decide!
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It is sad how real talent gets no attention in this age of auto tuning. I loved your story.
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Indeed it is. Thanks so much.
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He helped that lad rise.
Glad that he still has his spirit intact. May he achieve his goal again.
Have a lovely weekend, Keith!
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The power of positive thought is a valuable tool. Thanks for your good wishes.
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The desperation at the end is frightening. Will he hopefully have more than a meal in his future? I hope so. Seems like he is a great guy.
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He’s determined which is a good start! Cheers Fatima
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Well done Keith, you pack a lot into so few words – his backstory, his despair now, his only hope to get a few coins is to project verve and optimism, the exact opposite of what he feels. Good story.
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Thanks so much, WWM. I’m pleased it came through. Comments such as yours make it all worthwhile
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I could feel his longing laced with hope. Very sad, and I’ll think twice before I “walk on by” again.
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Well done, Keith. In those few words, I feel like I know a lot more about him than I would expect.
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