The Woman in Cell Three
“What crime did she commit?”
“None that I know of, sir.”
“Then why is she living in my jail?”
“It’s safe and warm, sir. And hot meals …”
“I want her out. Now.”
“Just one more day, sir, to find out who she is?”
“Twenty-four hours, Sergeant.”
Sergeant Dan walked away, frowning. The prisoner wanted to tell him something, something important.
Je suis perdue … She said the words over and over, followed by another unintelligible phrase.
I’m lost. His heart went out to her – so fragile, so alone.
Ta famille? he asked. Her eyes filled with tears. Perdue, she repeated.
This situation needed a woman’s touch. Sergeant Dan called in Della – fashion maven, history buff and brilliant lawyer. She took one look at the prisoner and gasped. “That dress! Those ringlets! That stylish corset! She’s not from here.”
Sergeant Dan showed Della the prisoner’s possessions – a ruffled hat, an ivory comb, a pair of soft leather gloves, and a watch with multiple dials. One dial measured ten hours, not twelve. “Is she a thief? I didn’t want to tell the Chief, but I saw this watch in the museum when I was a boy.”
“Call them.”
Marie-Claude answered the phone. He described the watch and she asked him to hold.
Finally, “Yes we have a watch that answers your description. It’s a rare example of French Revolutionary Decimal Watches. They …”
He interrupted her to clarify. “Your watch is safe, then?”
“Of course! Guarded night and day. These watches were only made for eighteen years, in France, just after the Revolution. They are museum pieces now, all cataloged and counted.”
When Sergeant Dan finished the call, Della showed him the inscription she had discovered.
Pour ma cherie Mimi. “This watch was a gift!”
As they entered Cell Three, Della called out, “Mimi?”
The prisoner looked up. Oui, she answered.
Della put her arms around the woman, rocking her like a baby. Ma pauvre petite.
Mimi clung to Della, sobbing. Je suis perdue … Je suis perdue … dans le temps.
This time Sergeant Dan understood her perfectly. I’m lost … in time.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHeartrending with an ending that only confirms the feeling. A lot of research went into this writing. It’s a great mix of reality (“French Revolutionary Decimal Watch”), emotions, and time traveling. Well-written and memorable.

Loved this – although I don’t speak French it was made very clear what it meant – very intriguing. How did she get to a different time – good job, well done!
Thank you, Sandra. I really enjoyed researching this story! I’m glad the French was clear to someone who doesn’t speak the language. That was my aim!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleWow. I love it, Fuji. I enjoyed it so much. It is unique. I used to read stories of time travel to the past, and in this story she traveled to the future and got lost. And thanks for the French words. Nicely done.
Thank you, Lotchie! I guess time travel works both ways! Our poor Mimi, how did she get so far from home and family?
You’re welcome, Fuji. Yes. But I enjoyed it the most. Good job.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleCongratulations, Fuji.
Je suis perdu dans votre histoire, Fuji!!! I absolutely love the way you described the sense of despair Mimi feels! There is the language barrier to consider, as well as the fact that all is out of sync for her. I feel a lot of scope for a round 2 and many questions… was she escaping the guillotine? Who sent her back in time? Yes, yes, more to know….
What a fun comment, Greene! Thank you so much!! I know that you speak fluent French, so I’m glad the combination of my high school French and Google worked well enough to make sense to an expert like yourself. I’m not sure of Mimi’s history. I don’t think she was escaping the guillotine – those watches weren’t made until 1795, so most of the heads had already rolled by then. Let’s think… Read more »
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleFuji, I like the way you wove French and a different historical period into your writing.
Merci, Margarida! This story was intriguing to me.
Fuji, I finished reading this story ten minutes ago and my spine is still shivering. This is a masterful building up of suspense and realisation within the stricture of 350 words. Vraiment, vous êtes un auteur très talentueux.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleAllan, I loved your comment! And I even understood the French at the end!! Thank you. I had a great time researching this story, after discovering the French Revolutionary Digit watches. The plan of the new regime was to replace 12 hour time with 10 hour time – 100 minutes per hour, 1000 seconds per minute. Interesting, to say the least. That particular watch in the picture was painted in enamel with… Read more »
I love this story, Fuji! Not only because of your great use of the English language, your different take on time traveling, the French setting, the descriptions of the people that are appearing in your story… but also the enlightening information about the French revolutionaries’ use of the metric system even for measuring time. (Don’t get me started on the absurd fact that the US decided to keep the medieval systems for… Read more »
Christer, you are a godsend. I really don’t know French, as you have seen illustrated by my gender mistakes. Could you tell me all the changes that would make the French quotes in my story correct? Then I’ll send the list to the Voice Team. I’d love to get it right! Thank you so much for reading. I for one am glad to have 12 hour clocks. The wonderful number 12 matches… Read more »
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleEven the French Enlightenment revolutionaries gave up on their idea when it came to measuring time. It just didn’t work. I knew about the idea, but not that they actually made watches in the way your photo shows. Thanks for enlightening me! The French details to correct are just those: “perdu” should be “perdue,” since it’s about a woman. Since also “famille” is feminine, it is “perdue” there as well. “Pour ma… Read more »
Hello again Christer, my favorite French tutor. I requested all the changes you suggested and I believe the Voice Team has made them all. Does the story now pass your stringent linguistic tests? Thank you so much for your help! As I remember, you helped considerably with my Spanish in the Isabel story. Do I dare try Swedish? ?
As always, Voice Team did a perfect job, and your story is spotless. I read it again and was, as always, impressed by your creativity. Now, I’m waiting for your Swedish story, lol.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleAbsolutely fascinating, Fuji, the whole story and the watch. After the discussion of the genders in French, maybe Allan’s should say une auteure talentueuse. At least, after many conversations on here, I have always assumed you are female, Fuji. ?
Thank you so much, Susan. Isn’t that French Digit watch interesting? I know you love history, and love writing about historical events and people, so this story is right up your alley! And yes, I am female. Hooray!
Fuji, your stories are always so magical and vivid. A French woman from the past stuck in a modern day jail cell…I loved this!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHaving read all the comments on your story Fuji, there is little more I can add except to say I too found it really fascinating and very emotional too. I love a story that keeps me wondering and yours did just that, in spades! Fabulous!
Intrigue all the time and excitement! Nicely done!
Congratulations, Fuji. This was a truly brilliant story and a well deserved win.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHello Carrie – Thank you so much. I loved researching and writing this story, just like I know you did with your wonderful Morag story. Congratulations on having your story selected as a Finalist!
Thank you, Fuji. I was stunned that both of my stories were selected in the finalist list. That made my day!
Congratulations, Fuji! A very well deserved win. Your work is another masterpiece.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleWell, Christer, you should get part of the credit for this story, since you were my language mentor. Thanks again for all your help, and thanks for your kind comment.
Well done Fuji – I knew you were in with a good chance with this one – worthy winner
Thank you, Sandra. I enjoyed finding out all the fascinating details about the revolution and the special watches. I learn a lot by writing flash fiction and by reading it!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleWell done Fuji! Mimi had her recognition through your story… Maybe by now if she is back in her time!
Thank you Greene. It’s nice to think that Mimi is not so lonely now – she has all of us caring about her!
Congratulations Fuji, a truly fascinating story. Enjoy your win!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleA great finish, sprung upon the unexpecting, and your historical knowledge and research are spot-on. I may have said that before but make no apology for repeating the facts.