Ficlets

The '63 Ford Galaxie

“Ever try to hot wire a new car?”
“Once.”
“Once?”
“There was beer. I learned my lesson. But you were saying?”
“Ah. Well. Don’t. New cars are too electronic. Too many safeties. You’ll never drive off in it.”
“But an older car—”
How easily she slipped the coat hanger wire between the window glass and the door body of the ‘63 Ford Galaxie. How quickly it opened after a brief moment of concentration on her part. A shimmy and a twist of her torso hid her head underneath the dash, though her legs still hung out of the car.
He jumped when it roared to life. It was the sound of an old muscle car remembering what it had been made for.
Begging to be put into drive.
“Let’s make like Steve McQueen and have ourselves a Great Escape,” she said for her own benefit as she righted herself in the driver’s seat.
He was pretty sure McQueen had escaped on a motorcycle in that movie, but a man on the run had no right to nitpick.
He crossed to the passenger’s side, and got in.

Comments

Average Reader Rating:

The '63 Ford Galaxie
THX 0477
Posted 3 months ago

Wow, awesome. She’s a great character, the interaction is solid with a couple hints of humor. Then you just casually and neatly throw in that he’s on the run, suggesting way more story than I was expecting. Just what a ficlet should be!
LoA
The '63 Ford Galaxie
Ana Cristina
Posted 3 months ago

I loved the line, “There was beer” as it gives us an insight into the character’s personality and sense of humor so early in the piece. Awesome ficlet!
The '63 Ford Galaxie
THX 0477
Posted 3 months ago

Couldn’t resist throwing on a sequel. I don’t think I added much, but I had fun doing it.
The '63 Ford Galaxie
Krulltar
Posted 3 months ago

I have to agree with Ana and THX , it was the cat’s pajamas (I’m not in the LoA, so I might not have authorization to use the word “Awesome”) I enjoyed the line “It was the sound of an old muscle car remembering what it had been made for.”
The '63 Ford Galaxie
thebetweenspace
Posted 3 months ago

I really liked the description of how she broke into the car as well as their interactions with one another. What a great character she is.
The '63 Ford Galaxie
John Perkins
Posted 3 months ago

Nothing says cool like grand larceny. Fun read.
The '63 Ford Galaxie
Eckhouse
Posted 3 months ago

I echo everyone – a fun read. And they have excellent taste in automobiles.