Friday Fictioneers: Share 100 wor stories with great people
„All houses must be down before the day is over? Time is money, guys! ”
The words of the foreman still resonated in his head.
“New era coming, and a new complex, all glass and concrete. Neat, clean and profitable.”
Tearing down buildings was not new to him, nor to anyone in construction business.
“The insurance company needs space.”
One house was left to dismantle, standing in front of number 34 he looked at the entrance.
Impossible! Turning around he knew he would need a new job.
It wouldn’t change the fate of the house for the better, but maybe himself.
This one might need a little explanation, since few people know this portion of history: While most of German town centers did suffer serious damage through bomb attacks in WW2, a significant portion of the “art nouveau” houses that survived, felt victim to the construction boom driven by banks and insurance companies, that owned the properties and wanted to establish fancy headquarters. Luckily most German downtowns are still vivid living quarters nevertheless.
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You story reminds me of the beautiful old neglected houses in Prague that have been turned into pizza restaurants. Your character’s refusal to demolish any more tells us much about him. Well done.
Really worthy sentiments, well expressed. I enjoyed this and could identify with it. We lived for some time in the Oberfranken region of your country and loved the picturesque villages and houses just bursting with character.
Dear Ingmar,
Your story is wonderfully told and conveys the changing of one mans mind in a moment of clarity. Well done.
Aloha,
Doug
Dear Ingmar,
Thank you for sharing this bit of history. I live in a city notorious for tearing down it’s history in the name of progress. Nice one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Your story has a lovely ethical ring to it. However, there is a typo in your last line. „Faith“ should read „Fate“. Then perfection, like ancient architecture will reign again.
Lindaura, thanks a lot, this was not a typo but a plain error, a word a learned from listening rather than reading,… appreciate the hint
This sort of ‚progress‘ has always ignorantly marched side-by-side with money. Good for your man in making a personal stand.