Queen Christa Corona had slept badly. Cold air had seeped under the blankets and not even first dog Cassandra had provided warmth enough for good dreams; even morning snow seemed tired.
The Queen adjusted her robes as she rose to face her duties again. She packed her mattress and blankets to fill the royal shopping cart she had nicked from the co-op.
With first dog in trail, she traversed her kingdom between Fourth Street and Main.
She stopped outside Marco’s as the waiter secretly slipped her some coffee and pastry.
Queen Christa sighed, today would be a day of decisions.
© Roger Bultot
The picture left me thinking a lot, and as I sometimes do I thought less of what I saw in the picture and more imagining this being seen by someone. It became less a complete story and more an open ended scene, and a character description.
Rochelle who always have a story to tell us, select the picture and let us all imagine a story behind the picture. Only restriction is 100 word or less. I always try to do it in exactly 100 words.
May 1, 2019
Björn Rudbergs writings 
It is good to try differing responses to the prompt, I smile greatly at this character of yours.
Thank you… I tried to make her come alive.
I liked the way her story made sense of her world to her
I think it always does… she had her pride.
Where the story shifts, and you see she is a homeless person (“she packed her mattress…”) is done with gentle grace. The details you imbue her with are magical as a portrait. This is one of your best I’ve read so far, Bjorn.
I liked to see the world as she might see it rather than how we see her…
Great work Bjorn, a subtle look at how a mind has adapted to survive extreme circumstances.
I think all of us have to create our own subtle lies to survive… maybe sometimes they just are a little bit too golden
She really comes to life with your description. I see her as confused and imaginative, a sensitive soul who was broken by a competitive society.
I think so too… and living in a dream like this can be a great help
Subtle and sensitive writing, Bjorn, an excellent piece
Thank you… I tried to capture part of her inner life.
Good one, B. Now I would like to know about those decisions.
I think only she knows what they are…
I like that she’s created a little world for herself, to help her through the day.
She needs that world… and her dog.
Queen of all she surveys. Brilliant.
My story – ‘This way that way!’
This is what she needs to do.
Dear Björn,
The royal shopping cart. I like that. And I like the subtle creation of the a homeless woman. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Indeed… she has a lot of assets. Hope that the royal dog gets part of her pastry
Loved this one, Björn! Very creative and fresh… and fantastic writing as well!
-Rachel 🙂
Thank you… this was a new style of writing for me, but I like trying new things
I like your Queen, and may they be many more Marcos in her life.
I think there are many Marcos in her little world.
Bjorn, you had me thinking of cold castles somewhere in Scandinavia until you mentioned Christa rolling up her sleeping bag and putting it in the shopping cart. I love this little snapshot of a character
with a positive attitude.
Acceptance… or stoicism… maybe delusion. Maybe it doesn’t matter in the end.
You have outdone yourself this week, Björn. I could not imagine living on the streets and I love how you have made her mistress of her domain, so to speak.
I think it’s one way of giving dignity to her as a homeless person..
Love that portrayed as royalty.
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder!
I think she deserved to be a queen.
“even morning snow seemed tired.” What a great line! Enjoyed!!
Thank you
I thought this was going to be a story about a royal but it turned out to be a warm and touching story about a homeless person. Very well done.
A well-written scene, Bjorn. It was a great twist to show midway she was a homeless person. It would make a great long story. 🙂 — Suzanne
This is wonderful. What an original and entertaining response to the prompt. Great details bring the whole scene to life – the ‘first dog’ (ha – love this), the blanket, the trolley. Terrific.
Queen Cassandra has fallen in bad times.As long as she has her first dog, she will be safe. Bad times will pass.
I love this!
Wow this is good Bjorn. Her dog is her life. So sad but at least they are together
I think the dog is the real queen of the story!