Maryanne’s mirror returned her smiling image, and, behind her reflection, the sumptuous decor for which Bruce had paid a fortune. She’d graduated with Honours in Botany, and Bruce was proud of her. Her life was progressing as planned; her only sorrow was her lost labrador, Buddy – she missed him so. But they’d found no trace.
Bruce loved her to be looking her best when he arrived home. He loved her meticulous housekeeping, her gourmet cooking.
Tonight she’d serve her specially cultivated mushrooms. Buddy’s sacrifice had proven her hypothesis – the poison was untraceable.
She’d done her work well. Her career was about to begin.
Copyright – Erin Leary
It’s time for Friday Fictioneers again. Each Wednesday, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields posts a photo prompt, with the challenge to write a complete story in 100 words. This is my contribution. I haven’t really ventured into the realms of the villainous before; the cold and calculating Maryanne is new territory for me. My inspiration was a documentary which screened a few years ago, about some unlikely murderesses in 1950s Australia. While thallium was their substance of choice, mushrooms will do just nicely, and they’re so much tastier. You can read more here.
Onto the page 
Dear Margaret,
You do villainous well. Nice and subtly executed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I’m a little concerned if it’s true that I’ve done it well. Not sure what that says about me – but thank you anyway. I appreciate your feedback.
Cheers,
Margaret
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Dear Margaret,
An excellently concocted tale. Buddy’s demise and the rise of the mushrooms was a sinister touch to a macabre story. Very well done.
Aloha,
Doug
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Thank you for that wonderful feedbak, Doug. I felt for poor Buddy – it wasn’t easy to do that to him.
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Villainy is entertaining, and so is this Margaret. Well done.
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Thank you, Sandra. I’m very happy to have entertained, even if I did feel in unfamiliar territory with such dastardly goings-on.
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WHOA…DIDN’T SEE THIS COMING…very interesting. Makes a woman think, especially when she’s cooking, and for whom 🙂 Enjoyed it…very Agatha Christie,
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Actually, my husband was a bit concerned when I served mushrooms the night I wrote this. I’m honoured to be likened to Agatha Christie. Thank you for commenting.
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I thought it was great. Hard to be compelling in so few words.
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You wicked girl Maryanne!
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She is wicked. But she knows what she wants.
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Hopefully her career won’t start behind bars!
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That’s probably where she’ll end up, and maybe that’s a good thing.
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chilling
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Thank you. I’m glad you found it chilling.
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Oh my… Poor buddy! And the next victim…. Nicely done.
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I felt so bad treating Buddy like that. Thank you for your feedback, Erin. It was an intriguing picture.
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Yikes, I felt chills. Truly sinister.
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She’s a chilling kind of lady. Thanks for commenting.
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Lovely. I suspect Bruce’s career is about to end. Some subtle wording in this piece – you’ve obviously worked at it.
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Thank you, Patrick. I’m glad you liked it, and noticed the bit of foreshadowing in there.
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Good use of the word “trace” to give new meaning to “found no trace”.
It sounds like Bruce was quite demanding and it was getting in the way of her career, but I’m sure neither he nor poor Buddy deserved to die 😦
Great piece, she’s the perfect cold-hearted scheming villain!
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They certainly didn’t, and Maryann is truly cruel. I had originally envisaged, and described, a 1950s setting, where Maryann’s discontent with her domestic role would be more surprising, but I couldn’t fit it into the word limit. I’m glad you picked up on ‘trace’. Thank you for your feedback.
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Oh there is nothing better than a degree to find the best way to get away.. seems like Buddy was collateral damage..
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He was – so sad. Maryann just wanted more than to be the perfect housewife. I’m not sure what direction her career choices will take her, but she does have skills, so the sky’s the limit. Thanks for reading.
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It appears she didn’t like being “superwife.” LOL! Chillingly good.
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No, she wanted more – she’d studied hard to gain her qualifications. I’m glad you liked my story. Thank you for commenting.
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