I Can Hear it in Your Voice

[capt_facepalm]

Title: I Can Hear it in Your Voice
Author: capt_facepalm
Rating: PG
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (Gaslight ACD)
Characters: Major John Watson RAMC, Mr Sherlock Holmes
Summary: A telephone conversation sometime during The Great War
Warnings: dialogue
Word Count: 100
Author's Notes: July 1st 2016 prompt: 'Tis But a Scratch

.oOOo.

‘Holmes, you have finally installed a telephone in the cottage!’

‘Those infernal devices? No, Watson, I’m at the Post Office. Your warden—’

‘Matron Simmons is not my gaoler—’

‘Your nurse insisted I call back at this time. She kept saying you were busy.’

‘It’s true—’

‘Every time I called? Come now, my friend, what is really happening? Allenham Manor is a rest hospital for wounded officers. Unless you are there looking for a reposting—’

‘No, I hope to return to my command in France.’

‘…I could visit.’

‘There’s no need, my dear fellow. I’m perfectly fine.’

.oOOo.

Please sign the guestbook

Comments

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Ach. One can only imagine just how bad it is if Watson won't have Holmes visit.

This prompt has definitely triggered the Great War category.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Watson just wants to spare his friend the pain of seeing him hurt. And yes, this prompt seemed to channel The Great War for a lot of writers.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

I hadn't even realized that the very first day of this year's prompt was the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Sommes, either.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

The ghosts of too many Newfoundlanders cast their shadow over Canada Day celebrations, more so on this particular anniversary.

[okapi1895.livejournal.com]

So Watson is injured? Or is it some kind of His Last Bow intrigue? Anyway I like the bit about the telephone.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Holmes would have been an early-adopter of new technologies during his career. In retirement, the telephone would have just been a way for undesirables to contact him.
"No, I cannot help you find your cat,"
"No, I do not require a Beekeeper's Apprentice."
"No, I do not believe you are a Nigerian prince."
(et c)

[okapi1895.livejournal.com]

You're a genius. I think there's about 7 plot bunnies in one reply.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I think I will expand on it and make it a Top Ten List ala David Letterman.

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

Snort! At least YOUR method of sidestepping a Beekeeper's Apprentice is a lot nicer than mine was.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't know... having Watson blow her brains out like a rebid mastiff was rather cathartic.
;-)

[debriswoman]

Subtle.
Nicely done, and well timed:-)

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Quite a few people have The Great War on their minds.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I did like Holmes' reply re the telephone.

I see Watson is as well as when I left him.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Holmes is frustrated that he could not speak to Watson straight away, and Watson knows that he cannot deceive Holmes face to face.

[med_cat]

I see you decided to participate, after all; I'm glad :)

And well done, as always!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks!
I always try to do my part by spamming July with drabbles!

[pompey01.livejournal.com]

"Perfectly fine" oh yeah, of course, Watson, we're totally convinced by that!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And Holmes will see right through that. Watson ranks amongst the world's worst liars.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Yeah, somehow I doubt Holmes is going to fall for that, Watson. "Perfectly fine"... yeah, right.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Watson is not fooling anybody, especially Sherlock Holmes.

[thewhitelily]

Hmmm, I suspect Holmes is going to be on the next train, despite Watson's best efforts. One does not have to be a sleuth to see beneath the surface here.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Obvious Watson lie is obvious.

[methylviolet10b]

Oh sure, Watson. Perfectly fine - as if Holmes can't see through that!

Well done!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It's even odds that Holmes will honour Watson's wishes and stay away, or start packing his bags and buy a train ticket.

[maestress83.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I can *hear* the silence before Holmes offers to visit.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Had I more words to play with, that pause would have been more apparent and significant. Thanks for picking up on that.

[kestrel337.livejournal.com]

Poor Watson. Poor Holmes. I imagine he'll be on the next train, and they'll spend a couple of weighted minutes talking a r o u n d the situation before settling on a mutually agreeable excuse for Holmes to stay or Watson to go (with him).

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Yes, something like that. Maybe. *wink*
Thanks!

[hagstrom]

I suppose Watson must now be readying himself to receive his friend with the best of dispositions...

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Here's a little secret: He dreads meeting Holmes right now...
Thanks!

[med_cat]

It would be interesting to see a sequel... (hint, hint)

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Sequels are sometimes possible...
;-)
Thanks!

[med_cat]

I hope it will be possible in this case, then ;)

And you're very welcome!