He’s a cut above other London beggars. He created his own outlandish rules. No photos. No conversation. Small change frowned upon. Approach with respect. Bow gracefully. Offer your gift.

For donations of one hundred quid or more, you’ll get a folded scrap of paper containing a hand-written line from Shakespeare. Nobody quite understands the charm, the mystique, the raw magnetism of the man. Perhaps it’s just that he’s disarmingly different. Whatever the reason, everyone flocks to him.

At dusk, he sheds his disguise and returns to the manor.

“Successful day, m’lord?”

“Excellent, Briggs. Brandy in the library?”

“Very good, sir.”

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    Voice-Team
    Voice-Team(@voice-team)
    Admin
    2 years ago

    Clever and riveting, with an unexpected ending. The Shakespeare angle was especially nice. We were drawn in by the title.

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    2 years ago

    Well someone has to pay for the upkeep of the family pile, don’t you know. Ha ha, I’d take a brandy with him any day just to toast his ingenuity. I love the character you’ve created Fuji, different indeed!

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    2 years ago

    I love it, Fuji.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Fuji
    2 years ago

    You’re welcome, Fuji.

    Julie Harris
    Julie Harris(@julie-harris)
    2 years ago

    What a great story, Fuji! Like Linda, I’d love to share a brandy with m’lord and hear some of his stories!

    Eric Radcliffe
    Eric Radcliffe(@eric-radcliffe)
    2 years ago

    Ha, ha ?, I love the end Fuji. Did you already have the ending in mind Fuji, or did it come to you as you wrote it? It’s nice to understand the story teller, as I think you are quite unique.

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    2 years ago

    Great story Fuji, and not as outlandish as it might appear. I’ve heard stories before of people begging in shop doorways, with the addition of an unkempt looking dog. At the end of the day, when all the people have gone home, the beggar packs up his stuff, walks round the corner, packs it all in his Range Rover and drives home for a nice hot dinner with his wife.

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    2 years ago

    Fuji, this was well-told. So many people are being tricked this way. Your protagonist sounds like quite a character, why else would everyone flock to him? I enjoyed reading this.

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    2 years ago

    An intriguing and very well written story, Fuji. I love your use of words, including the Shakespeare quote, and wonder if you had that line from A Midsummer Night’s Dream in mind when you started or if you pulled it out of your sleeve as the story manifested. As for beggars living in mansions and being very rich, I wonder if such stories aren’t urban myths. In this part of the world… Read more »

    Jason K
    Jason K(@jason-k)
    2 years ago

    Disarmingly different really hits the mark.

    Great read.

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    2 years ago

    Congratulations, Fuji! A well earned win with your always so beautiful language and wonderful composed content.

    Julie Harris
    Julie Harris(@julie-harris)
    2 years ago

    Congratulations, Fuji! A great story, and a well-deserved win.

    Eduardo Olivares
    Eduardo Olivares(@eduardo-olivares)
    2 years ago

    Proper ghosts need the proper adjectives. I really love the way you conduct the reader right into the core of this unique touching surprise: right there where a long gone genius returns to pave his way back to the soul of words.

    Eduardo Olivares
    Eduardo Olivares(@eduardo-olivares)
    Reply to  Fuji
    2 years ago

    Indeed, I stopped my normal fast manner of reading to the pure and crystal amazement of your way of ending this fantastic short piece. I wasn’t expecting that. You made my eyes !!!

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    2 years ago

    Congratulations, Fuji.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Fuji
    2 years ago

    You’re welcome, Fuji. I am happy about your achievement. 

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    2 years ago

    I can’t tell you how much I loved your story Fuji. A character that I’d really enjoy to see explored further. Huge congratulations on your win, so very well deserved.

    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    2 years ago

    Congratulations Fuji. This was a very clever story. Well done.

    Marianna Pieterse
    Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
    2 years ago

    Fuji, this was a great story. Congratulations on your win!

    Susan Dawson
    Susan Dawson(@susan-dawson)
    2 years ago

    Very clever twist, Fuji.

    Lydia E Atzemian
    Lydia E Atzemian(@lydia-e-atzemian)
    2 years ago

    As per usual, a sense of purpose in your every word. Impressive!

    Sandra James
    Sandra James(@sandra-james)
    2 years ago

    Well done, Fuji! I love the twist at the end. An intriguing character and I can’t help but like him in some way!
    A couple of years ago here in Australia I read news reports of quite wealthy people from overseas coming to Melbourne, dressing in rags, (some pretending to be disabled) and begging. Apparently they made a lot of money preying on people’s sympathy and kindness 🙁

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