A Man of Much Importance: Parts 1 to 3

These micro-stories were written for the Word Improv writing challenges set on Instagram by @WordSleuth. Each challenge provides six rare words to be included in each story.

I used these challenges, and the rare words, to create character backstories for my upcoming short film 'AWAY'. The six rare words from the Word Improv challenge are listed after the story. Enjoy.

PART 1: THE PURCHASE AND THE PECULATOR

Gerald Arbuthnot, Lord Illingworth's endearing and recently appointed secretary, found himself with the difficult task of navigating the seedier streets of London to negotiate with an unscrupulous man on the purchase of the entertainment for his employer's upcoming annual Bacchanalian feast.

Throughout the haggling, the oddball criminal seemed to relish the power he held over Gerald and the commodity he was selling.

Suddenly, the negotiations soured, the veneer of civility was quickly stripped away, and the criminal thrust his sinister cane into Gerald's face. It was so near, he could see the blood encrusted in the whorled end of the wood.

With the realisation this seemingly simple task could result in Gerald becoming umquhile at the hands of this knave, he quickly handed over the asking price with a gracious smile and left in a hurry.

His only hope was that Lord Illingworth would be happy with the purchase. It had come at a hefty price, both in coin and Gerald's pride. But that was to be expected when there were very few willing buyers of such an item.

Or as Lord Illingworth had indelicately put it, 'A woman of no importance.'

Improv Words: endearing, oddball, veneer, whorled, umquhile, knave

PART 2: THE MATTER OF HONEY AND HUNTING

Lady Caroline Pontefract stood on the terrace at Hunstanton Chase, her gaze fixed on the beehives dotted over the rolling hills in the distance while the American visitor, Hester Worlsey, stood beside her, a look of wistful curiosity on her face.

'You must forgive me, Lady Caroline,' Hester continued, 'but I find it difficult to believe that Lord Illingworth is a philanderer.'

Lady Caroline gave a soulful sigh. 'Don't let Lord Illingworth's immense size fool you. He is a man of many passions. He is an apiarian, of course. A lover of fine wine and women. But his greatest pleasure is in the chase.'

Hester looked at Lady Caroline, her eyes wide with surprise. 'The chase?' she inquired.

'Yes,' Lady Caroline continued, her voice tinged with a hint of braggadocio. 'Lord Illingworth fancies himself a great hunter, you see. But not of animals. No, he prefers the thrill of pursuing his fellow man. It is a singularly unusual hobby, to be sure. But it is also the reason we are all gathered here today.'

At that moment, Lord Illingworth appeared on the terrace, a battered poleaxe in his hand and a wicked glint in his eye.

'Lunch is served!' he boomed.

Improv Words: philanderer, apiarian, soulful, poleaxe, wistful, braggadocio

PART 3: THE LADY FOR LUNCH

Surrounded by the raucous laughter and clinking of glasses, Mrs. Arbuthnot found herself seated next to Lord Illingworth at his annual Bacchanalian feast. Lord Illingworth, a self-proclaimed cockalorum, was relishing in the debauchery of the occasion, all powdered wigs and frilled cuffs.

But Mrs. Arbuthnot needed clarity. 'I cannot tell if you are being prurient with me or perfidious, Lord Illingworth,' she exclaimed, her voice barely audible above the din of the feast.

'I would not deceive you, my dear Mrs Arbuthnot,' Lord Illingworth said, his fat fist wrenching a turkey leg straight from the roast. 'I assure you, everything is perfectly above board.'

'Is that what you tell the innocent people you bring as entertainment to these decadent soirees?' Mrs Arbuthnot retorted. A quaff of wine dribbled down her painted chin.

'Innocent? They are the linchpin of this affair,' Lord Illingworth laughed, specks of half-chewed turkey sputtering from his mouth. 'You are being a pedant in your assessment of the situation.'

When Lord Illingworth plucked a juicy grape and pressed it between the lady's crimson lips, she realised that her seat next to her host had not been inadvertent after all. Her cheeks flushed.

'Then tell me, sir, who is this lucky person you have bought for the chase this afternoon?'

'A woman of no importance,' he crooned.

Improv Words: cockalorum, inadvertent, linchpin, prurient, perfidious, pedant

CONTINUED IN... A Man of Much Importance: Parts 4 to 6