Russell Gayer, author speaker
I’ve always wanted to use the name Madge in a story. Thanks to our lovely host and her intriguing photo, I finally get my chance. Some of you may remember Madge as the beautician who soaked client’s fingers in Palmolive dishwashing detergent to make them soft as a baby’s ear (or was it a lower region?).
No palms or olives were injured in the fabrication of this installment from November 2012.
If you’re new to Friday Flash Fiction, the dream weaver who can teach you how to transform passing fancies into 100 word stories is Madge N. Nation Wisoff-Fields. If you’re up for the challenge, visit her site and follow the step-by-step instructions. To view the writers in FFF Hollywood Squares Authors Block click here.
(phone rings)
“Good morning, Irma, it’s Flossie. Do you know what’s going on with Madge?”
“No. Is she all right?”
“I think she’s having an affair. She wouldn’t talk on the phone, so I went over there. She kept looking at her watch and practically shoved me out the door at 3 o’clock. Minutes later, a gray-haired man arrived and stayed for four hours.”
“That must be Paul. What else did you see?”
“Not much, her windows fogged over. He looks twice her age.”
“Well, Madge told me, ‘Just because there’s frost on the roof doesn’t mean the fire’s gone out.’”
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This is the blog of a woman who is seriously on the edge and I mean right ON the edge…no, not there… just a little bit further… further than that…no, further still…just a tiny bit more… just move slightly to the right a little…no, that’s too much…just move a tad to the left…that’s right, just there…now you’ve moved too far to the left… Damn, what part of the ‘on the edge’ do you not understand? Oh, and her matricidal boy genius, come devil spawn.
Or the three people I guilted into reading this blog, whatever.
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Oh dear, I wondered what old Madge had been up to. She’s been missing in action for so long. Now I know that she’s been otherwise occupied – and I must say I’m sure she’s having more fun now than in her previous incarnation. So funny, Russell, as usual. I might add that I’m surprised you had this ad in America. The Madge we knew was very Aussie – I wonder how many Madges there really were??
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Yes, it appears Madge found something to entertain herself with other than dishwashing detergent. The good news for Paul is that he can rest assured she has soft hands. I guess it’s a good thing they fogged up the windows, Flossie might have tried to film them with her iPhone.
I assume there were Eskimo Madges, Japanese Madges, Russian Madges, and even Watusi Madges. Though I be shocked to find there was ever a Muslim Madge.
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An oldie but goldie. 🙂
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Or silvery, considering the color of Paul’s hair.
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yeah the fire keeps burning.
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Let’s hope so.
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Badda-BING!
Four hours …??? Man! Most of that time must have been spent just walking into the living room. Makes me wonder how much B.T.U. he really put out. Hedge has been the foreword of choice for that. It sparks a lot, but it keeps ya warm.
For this, Russell, five out of five sawed logs.
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The probably took a nap somewhere between sessions. With Paul’s memory loss, he can’t remember what he’s done, so he has to go back and do it again, and again, and again.
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😀
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That should be “firewood” not “foreword.” I’m one of those who likes to proofread after I send. 😀
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It could have been worse. You could have typed foreskin.
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Hahahaha! Ohhhh don’t tempt me ….! 😀
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Madge and Paul, lucky I did not visit, steamed windows, well who would have believed it.😀
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Perhaps he was helping her shampoo the carpet, who knows? You can’t believe everything you hear from Flossie and Irma.
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Four hours and all that fog… steamy for Madge with all that firework, and It sounds like they have a lot of stamina.
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Maybe it takes a while to get the old steam engine fired up.
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Apparently in that neighborhood, steamed up windows are a prerequisite just to keep the busybodies from spying on you. I’d admire Flossie’s determination to stake out the place for four hours. That is a true dedication to gossip.
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Maybe next time she’ll plant some listening devices or tiny hidden cameras to record the action.
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Well amen to that Madge. I expect the fire to stay lit for at 3 more decades.
Tracey
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In that case, she’d better line up more lovers. Paul’s fire may still be burning, but the flame is getting weak.
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Oh, good advice but I’m not sure that my man will agree to it.
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Dear Oscar,
Madge knows how to keep the home fires burning. It’s not all about dish soap and manicures. You go girl! This was a fun revisitation.
Shalom,
Madge N. Nation 😀
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You know what they say–cleanliness is next to cleavage (at least in the dictionary). The world needs more Madges.
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That was first written in 2012. I wonder if they’re still “steaming up the windows”. I guess we don’t have to worry about Madge ever being lonely. She’s probably feeding him and washing those dishes as well. Hilarious, Russell. We can all tell your wit is still going strong as well. 😀 — Suzanne
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Those 3 1/2 years went by in a hurry. I hope Madge gave him a few rest breaks during that time. 🙂
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Madge Australian, Madge American…Ridiculous! She’s a true Brit!
Glad she’s still out there in fiction land, having some fun.
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I’d say she’s a woman who knows what she wants and how to get it.
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Funny story, as always. I’m glad Madge is keeping busy!
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Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.
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What’s age got to do with it? Fun story.
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You’re right. That’s just an old wives tale.
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OMG, I’m in love with this piece and Madge. “Frost on the roof” is a great line!! I’ll have to remember that one…
Happy trails!
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Thanks, Mom. Keep running’ and keep having fun.
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Good for Madge – living life to the full (as is the mysterious grey haired man! Good picture of you at the top.)
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I think they’re going through their second teenage phase.
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Oh, that Madge is a wild one, Russell. I bet she was just pushing her out the door at 3:00. Hey, she’s got to have her fun and obviously has her private life. I loved how you ended it.
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I think Flossie and Irma are a little jealous.
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Good to read a story from someone else who believes love isn’t only for the young!
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They’re young at heart.
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Yea baby! Go Madge!!
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Hooray for Paul, too.
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