What Pegman Saw – The Marriage Deal

“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page,  from where you can also get the Inlinkz code. This week’s location is Oman.

The Marriage Deal

Adhara’s mother stood silent. She held her hands behind her back, hoping that no one would see the way she twisted the fabric of her abaya between her fingers. Her face, hidden by her hijab, was calm, solemn, a mask within a mask.

“The report of the matchmaker was satisfactory. Do you confirm, Basam, that in the event of marriage between our Jumah and your Adhara, your business will pass to our family on the day of your passing (may it be long delayed)?”

Jumah smirked as he looked at Adhara. Modestly clad though she was, Jumah remembered how pretty she had been as a child. He imagined the young woman’s body, its desirability enhanced by concealment.

“Alas, I have no sons to continue my business. It shall be as you say.”

“Then we have an agreement.”

The two men shook hands.

Behind her hijab, the tears rolled down Adhara’s cheeks.

 

Friday Fictioneers – The Deal

Because I found the prompt very stimulating this week, I’m going to be greedy, and add another story. I’m also adding it because we’ve had many dark stories this week, and many that view the factory and industry as being inevitably linked to corporate greed. Of course, there is another point of view…

PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll

Genre: Historical fiction c1975

Word count: 100

“So, instead of scrapping my old steel drums, I send them to you to re-process, and then I can use them again?” Jim, boss of the local chemical plant, was sceptical.

“They’re good as new.” Don crossed his fingers. The furnace he used was dodgy; the jobs of six men hung on this deal. “Why don’t I buy you lunch?”

Over chili dogs and beer, Don explained how it would save Jim money.

“And it’s good for the environment.”

Jim nodded thoughtfully.

“It’s a deal.”

Don bought him a whisky. Now he just needed a bank loan to fix the furnace…

200 lire steel drums can be reworked by draining the contents, burning out the residues, re-forming, shot-blasting and repainting. This is slightly more cost effective than scrapping the drums, and it’s a lot better for the environment – provided the furnace is correctly designed and operated. It was also typically a small business where skilled staff were appreciated.