MICROFICTION

Parlour Trick for the Dead

100 Word Story

Photo by Mayron Oliveira on Unsplash

James helped load the new body into the coffin.

“That nail isn’t on properly,” he remarked to the Funeral Director.

He shrugged as he handed James a tin of paint.

“What’s this for?” James inquired.

“Paint job. Top-of-the-range casket. Family shelling out big bucks,” replied the Director.

James ran his hand over the coffin. He could feel the cheap pine scratch his fingers.

“Are they really paying thousands for this?” asked James.

The Director stopped and gave James a hard stare.

“Best you don’t ask questions Jimmy. Only the unemployed ask questions like that,” said the Director.