It’s time for the Friday Fictioneers! Every Friday, writers around the world write 100-word stories based on a photo prompt issued by Madison Woods. You can read more Friday Fictioneer stories by clicking the link that appears below my story. The Fictioneers also have a Facebook page here.
Buzzard
by Jan Brown
He roosts in a tree that has no leaves, to feed on those who have no life.
He perches on the top floor of a high-rise bank, where he gazes and grunts at his future carrion meals. One whiff–and he swoops to claim his doleful prey.
He is sleek and well-coifed in his shiny black suit. They call him Buzz because he is always in the know, or so he thinks.
But he is wrong. He earned the nickname behaving like a buzzard, feasting on the dying dreams of his clients. With razor-sharp talons, he tears their lives to shreds.
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mezzojan 
OOh i like this. Dream stealers and killers can be buzzards can’t they. I really like your take on the prompt. Very well done
mine is here
Thank you! I hoped the metaphor would resonate with readers. I enjoyed your work, as well!
There are some humans who act like buzzards for sure. Good job!
Thank you so much for visiting my blog and commenting. Greatly appreciated!
love the metaphor in this! Well done
Thank you, Bill!
Love it. Poetic and sharp and makes great use of the buzzard as a metpahor for human predators. Well done!
Thank you very much!
Buzz sounds like someone I’d rather not know. I also went with a buzzard in human’s clothing for my story, but it isn’t posted yet.
Thanks, Adam! I’ll look forward to your story.
Oh yeah…that greedy buzzard Bernie Madoff immediately crossed my mind. Wonder how he’s getting along with all the other buzzards in that prison? Nice work.
Nice twist/metaphor, Jan. But you wrong the poor misunderstood buzzard. 🙂 At least buzzards and their ilk in the animal world have as their excuse that it’s their nature.
True, the metaphor is unfair to the scavengers who perform a service by cleaning up the environment. The “buzzard” in my story only cleans up financially—and only for himself!
That type of buzzard is found in all sorts of fields, unfortunately.
politicians and corporate CEO’s perhaps? Beware 🙂
Is he a lawyer??? Great piece. I thought he was a literal buzzard for the first few lines. Speaking of lines, that first line was an excellent lead in.
Thanks for your comments! I was thinking of Buzz as an investment banker, but left it open to the reader’s imagination….
Buzz… lol. I like the name. Don’t think I can add anything to the above about your great use of the prompt as a metaphor. Nicely done.
http://logo-ligi.com/2012/07/12/soliloquy-of-a-disgruntled-raven/
Thank you so much!
nice take on the prompt jan 🙂
http://writersclubkl.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/friday-fictioneers-the-river/
Thank you, Raina!
Good job illustrating those so-called humans who make their living through the pain and suffering of others. Well written…
~Susan (www.susanwenzel.com)
Thank you, Susan!
Very effective allegory. Well done.
Thanks, I enjoyed yours as well!
A well and finely written 100 words, making good use of language and analogy. An imaginative take on the prompt as well. Mine is here and linked: http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/fridayfictioneers-spectators/
The mortgage underwriter? Interesting take, indeed.
Niiice! Buzz the Vulture Capitalist, and you’ve described him aptly. Great job.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/aftertherapture/
Thanks, Maggie!
An appropriate metaphor for the times we are living in. Well done.
Here’s my take: http://wp.me/s1nUrn-buzzard
Thank you, Claire!
I liked this. I mean, I liked the way that it was written. I didn’t like the gentleman in it at all! He’s a nasty piece of work. There are many of them, unfortunately.
Thanks, Marilyn! And you are right — there are too many.
Ha! I know that guy. Met him at Mineo’s just off of Wall Street.
Great story Jan and I agree with Lady MKD, I like the way it was written. The way you put it togehter sets it apart from all the rest.
Aloha,
Doug
Mahalo, Doug!
That’s a great story. I have known people (in a bank even where I worked) like that buzzard. A good description of many out there I believe.
Thank you, Joyce!
Wow, talk about an emotional vampire. He is foul.