Huddled together, a hundred inmates sat cross legged with chains connecting their wrists. The hot sun scorched the ground and concrete and the men became uneasy, agitated. Guards with billyclubs and badges reflecting the heat paced around the mob.
Suddenly shouting began at the back of the group as the lanky stranger made his way to the front. The shouting fermented into an uproar as the man stopped dead center. Mean-looking and yet strangely unpretentious, he slowly lifted the strap from his shoulder.
With guitar in place and a deep baritone voice he began:
“Love …. is a burning thing….”
Photo Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
100 words
********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
One hundred words. A photo prompt, this week created by our host Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Recipe for Friday Fictioneers.
Read other fictioneers at this site. http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/
Retired Ruth 
Lovely take on the prompt. The ending was so unexpected and heart-warming, a lovely tribute to Johnny Cash
LikeLike
Fabulous! What a wonderful story and tribute to Johnny Cash! Nan 🙂
LikeLike
I really wnted to read this but your font is too faint! I like johnny Cash too.
LikeLike
I just adjusted the font…. thanks for the information.
LikeLike
Ruth, Johnny Cash was truly an original with a style all his own. I loved his music. Well written with that surprise ending. 🙂 —Susan
LikeLike
Well done Ruth!
I loved Johnny Cash, thanks for reminding me, now I can;t stop humming ‘Ring of Fire’
Dee
LikeLike
I’ve been humming for days…
LikeLike
You’re probably the only one to connect JC to the photo, but what a great surprise!
LikeLike
Really? First thing I thought of when I saw the flames!
LikeLike
Oh, Johnny…one of the best. Loved it.
LikeLike
Yes he had some good tunes….
LikeLike
Ha. That was a great image and funny. Randy
LikeLike
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
Oh I love love love this! Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire was the first song I danced to when I was about four. Such a good idea for a story.
LikeLike
Awww sweet memories of an early age….
LikeLike
Great progression to Jonhny Cash!
LikeLike
Thank you.
LikeLike
Johnny Cash! Great song 🙂
LikeLike
Who doesn’t like a little something from the original Man in Black! 🙂
LikeLike
I love all his music!
LikeLike
Dear Ruth,
Well played. I agree with Janet that the first two sentences should be one. I really loved the ending and the realization that it was Johnny Cash. I love Ring of Fire.
shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the dreaded run on sentence. May have to fix that. Thanks!
LikeLike
Nicely done, Ruth. Would you consider adding the second sentence to the first? It’s incomplete as is and I think doing so would contribute to a nicer flow.
janet
LikeLike
Thanks.
LikeLike
Ring ‘O Fire from a great one. Thanks for sharing, Ruth.
blessings ~ maxi
LikeLike
Wow, Ruth, this surprise ending was great!!!! Hey, Forgot to tell you how much we love the cd you made for all of us. Emily drove our car one day in Muncie and commented on how she love the music,too!!!
LikeLike
Retired Archon thinks it’s pretty good too. 🙂
LikeLike
well done. you have captured accurately the opening scene of the movie.
LikeLike
Just right before the last line I was there right in “walk the line” .. great connection with the fire.
LikeLike
What a great piece you’ve written, Ruth! I can sense the excitement and restlessness. Johnny Cash’s voice was/remains one of the greatest.
Ellespeth
LikeLike
Love this!
LikeLike
Yes, and I’ve been humming it to myself since I read this. Thanks a lot, Ruth! LOL!
LikeLike
I’ve been humming it too!
LikeLike
You made me laugh now. I thought he would kill everyone. Very good!
LikeLike
Oh, this is great! Folsom Prison Blues and Johnny Cash. Really like this, Ruth, quite the surprise ending!
LikeLike
Thank you. One of my favorite songs.
LikeLike