Vienna had changed for the better, the colors were brighter but the shadows were still as deep.
Pulling down the fedora he lits a cigarette.
Contract killing is mostly waiting, the adrenaline rush of the kill would be intense and afterward the dread of vanishing again remained.
From a night open cafe he can hear someone plucking a zither, when suddenly the waiting is over…
Stiletto heels against cobblestones echoes through the alley, but as he opens the flick-knife, he feels the piano-wire around his neck.
Through the April haze he sees his mistress blowing him a kiss of farewell.
I cannot see a Ferris Wheel without starting to hum to the Zither of Harry Lime Theme. I tried to catch a bit of the noir feeling of “The Third Man”, but making the story entirely different.
Rochelle set the standard for Friday Fictioneers, selects the picture… all the rest have to do is to write a story in 100 words and participate in the joy of reading stories.
—-
March 20, 2019
Björn Rudbergs writings 
That did have a Third Man feeling about it. Until the ending
Exactly my intention, glad it worked
I love the descriptive writing in this! And also the small throwback to last week’s piano, haha.
Ah.. but this time the repetitive zittre.
I was in Harry Lime mode after the first word.
Superb piece of noir, Bjorn.
Thank you… It was really the first thing that hit me when i saw the Ferris Wheel
Oh, now that was chillingly done, Bjorn! Loved it.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Chilling is good.
poor chap, it looks like he got a taste of his own medicine.
There is always someone that will get the upper hand
The pieces of the colored wheel spin until darkness descends. Well done!
There is a scene in the third man where they fight on a ferris wheel ,,,
Is the movie worth seeing? I know I’ve heard that music before.
It was a long time since I watched it, but I remember it as a fantastic movie…
ok will check it out
I just put in a request through the library system 🙂
Death by piano wire, now that ended on an unexpected note. Nice one.
Piano wire and flick knife… both are silent.
Looks like he’s had the tables turned on him. Nice one!
Indeed… tables turn like a ferris wheel
You succeeded admirably in your aim. You’ve created a world where right and wrong are totally ambiguous, and human life is of little value – and all in 100 words! Well done!
Exactly how I remember the film,,,
Turn about is fair play!! Loved your choice of accompanying music. I love the movie The Third Man!!
It’s a long time since i watched the movie… now I want to see it again
Loved the ambience, and the mood. Very ‘Third Man’ – shot in black & white. One of my favourite films. Good variation of the original.
I really knew I need to watch the film again… (just as I need to reread some Graham Greene)
Dear Björn,
You were joined at the hip with ceayr this week. Well done POV of the hit man.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I wanted to have a spy instead… but it turned out to be a little bit too much.
the ups and downs of a skywheel… your story reflect that so very well. Really enjoyed it.
There is a Ferris Wheel scene in the Third Man that inspired me really.
Oh the double cross! Doesn’t sound like she was worth it!
-Rachel
Oh.. in the world of crooks there is always several layers of deceit.
This had a delightfully sinister ‘gangsta’ feel to it, complete with fedora and piano wire. Lovely details.
Thank you… gangsters or spys it’s joined at the hip when it comes to murder.
Fab stuff, setting it up nicely and then twisting the knife unexpectedly at the end, quality stuff!
Thank you… the noir is fun to write
Def a film noir feel to it, esp with the double cross at the end.
Thank you… it’s fun when a movie starts to play with that ferris wheel
Predator became prey. Nice story.
Indeed.. thank you
As soon as I read zither, I had that music in my head. It does have a great noir–and Third Man–feeling. At first I thought of the Prater ferriswheel, too, when I saw the picture. Great story.
That melody is very very contagious…
Chilling from start to finish. Except for the music. I love it. And I’ll have it in my head all day 🙂
That music sticks so very easily
Problem with waiting so nonchalantly, is, you don’t hear anyone sneaking up behind you…
Turnabout is fair play in their world.
When murdering becomes a routine, it’s easy to slip
Yep
He shouldn’t have dropped his guard. Silly man. Brilliantly conjured mood and feeling. Loved the music too. I haven’t heard that for ages.
Silly indeed… in the end he thought too much of himself.
Love it. The hunter becomes the hunted
🙂 sometimes that happens
Dark, mysterious and murder. All avenues for a perfect noir story. Well executed, Björn. I’m sure there could be more to come.
Isadora 😎
The mood from the third man was with me.
Oh, so unexpected. He let his guard down.
Easy to do… it’s called hubris…