The sun sets. It is almost time.
I straighten my tie, practice my happy smile, my worried frown and my stock answers to how it really feels to live in a haunted mansion.
I crunch down the driveway and greet this evenings group of ghost hunters. Hands are shook, selfies snapped and fears allayed.
It begins. Footsteps in empty rooms, a chill in the air, doors slam shut and lights flicker. We huddle together until dawn. It’s over.
I wave goodbye, count the cash and reset the props for the next group. I should be able to afford a new roof soon.
It isn’t easy being an Earl.
Written for Friday Fictioneers. A 100 word story inspired by a prompt. Read the other entries here.
fabricating fiction 
Dear FF,
This was a delightful tale of modern-day-make-do ingenuity on the part of the Earl (and you). Very well done.
Aloha,
Doug
Thanks Doug.
I like the language a lot.. fits with the atmosphere.. sometimes a haunted mansion is good for business
Nicely penned/typed.
Thank you.
Lovely setting of scene and neat rounded ending.
Thanks very much.
Entertaining tale with a clever ending. I think you need the past participle ‘shaken’ rather than ‘shook’ though. Sounds better to me. Nice one though and perfect for the prompt.
Thanks for the feedback Sandra.
What better way to support the estate! This is an earl I’d like to read more about!
Thank you Michael.
Very entertaining take on a subject of hunted houses. Loved it.
Thanks!
The things we do to keep the home fires burning in the family castle! Although it doesn’t interest me, there are ghost-related things everywhere. When we visited Gettysburg some years ago, lots of ghost walks were offered. Good job.
janet
Everyone’s trying to scrape a living. Thanks for reading.
On, my, what a clever earl. Fun take on the prompt. Cheers!
Thanks Alicia.
Well done, darling — I laughed at this. It’s not easy being an Earl.
It has its perks though! Thanks.
Very nicely done. I like the modern meets yesteryear you used. I could hear him “crunch” down the driveway. Clever writing.
Thank you Honie.
This is perfect! I just loved the last line. My favourite story so far this week. It makes me look at the picture prompt in a completely different way.
Thanks Claire. That means a lot.
I loved the ending. Wonderful!
Thanks!
well, this story made me smile. 🙂
I’m glad.
innovation!! nicely concluded
Thank you.
These stately homes are very expensive to keep up! This chap seems to have found a novel solution to his money woes. Great story!
They sure are and you just can’t get the staff these days 😉
hahaha!!! beautifully written.
Thanks.
You sometimes do what you must. Nice and tidy plot.
You do indeed. Thanks.
Clever Earl. A new roof seems like a good thing. (He could charge the serfs more?)
Good plan.
Great story. We used to be in the tourist business and quickly learnt to give the people what they want . You have done that well in this 100 words and sounds like it is paying off for the Earl.
Thanks very much Irene.
A nice blend of humour and sadness. He’s a resourceful man, but I feel his pain at being reduced to such strategies.
Thanks Margaret. His outgoings must be immense.
Hey, everybody’s entitled to make a living.
Besides,most people enjoy being spooked and don’t mind paying for it.
Cute story
They are indeed. Thanks.
Interesting concept. I’m surprised more people don’t try it! 🙂 Wonderful story!
They probably do! Thanks very much Caerlynn.
Ha! I really loved this. Great take on the prompt this week!
Thanks Rachel.
With a regular haunting, how many roofs has he lost so far? 🙂
The west wing, the east wing ……
He’s a clever Earl! He almost fooled me. Nice story.
Lily
That was the plan. Thanks Lily.
This is a great take. Loved it! I think her little plan is working.
Thanks Amy!
I love this take on the prompt. He’s definitely a very resourceful Earl! I wonder whether there really are any ghosts in his mansion… 🙂
Ah, that would be a whole different story. Thanks.
Dear Louise,
This is simply a delightful story. I guess even an Earl has to earn a living. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle.
This put a smile on my face! Great ingenuity – from you and from The Earl 🙂
Thanks very much.
A Lord’s gotta do what a Lord’s gotta do.
Nice work.
KT
Absolutely. Thanks.
Ooh, I like it. A head-fake to the horror fans.
Thanks!