C. Knodel<p><span class="h-card" translate="no"><a href="https://mas.to/@VisualInspiration" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>VisualInspiration</span></a></span> </p><p>The two horsemen rode toward the spire. A cold wind came up, howling like a lonesome wolf. On their way to the tower, they had to pass several groups of women who obviously had the same destination.<br>When the men reached the building and dismounted their animals, a small hatch in the door opened, and a cantankerous-looking prankster showed his face.<br>– What do you want? We’ve been out of wine for over a year.<br>– We do not want any wine, Johnny said. We’re here for plowing.<br>– What? asked Neil. He hadn’t been aware of that.<br>– Oh no, the clown mumbled, my worst fears have come true!<br>But then, a second, more pleasant voice sounded from within.<br>– Come on, Jimi, don’t be so rude to these guys. Why can’t you be funny like you were in past years?<br>– Because there’s nothing to laugh about these days.<br>– So let’s laugh about life itself, the voice proposed. The prankster’s face disappeared, and the other resident of the tower showed himself.<br>– Good evening, gentlemen. I am Prince Robert, and I live here with my friend, Prince James. I am a retired master pickpocket, and Jimi was a funny man in his younger days. But now…<br>– A pickpocket? asked Neil. What did you steal?<br>– Only watches. Money means nothing to me, but I want to open a watch museum in this building.<br>– And all these women around here, are they waiting for the opening?<br>– No. They come to be electrified. But you’d have to ask my housemate about that. I think he’s projecting a kind of electric ladyland.<br>– I see, said Neil.<br>– I don’t, said Johnny.</p><p><a href="https://mastodon.de/tags/microfiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>microfiction</span></a> <br><a href="https://mastodon.de/tags/fantastic" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>fantastic</span></a></p>