Provisional Government
A Thursday Prompt story
© 2025 by Walter Reimer

Prompt: dance


The bassarisk looked up from the paw-written pages strewn across his desk and met the gaze of the five furs facing him. The windows were open, and a hot, dry breeze ruffled the curtains and some of the papers. “What?” he asked, an almost peevish tone in his voice.

A puma in worn fatigues said, “The revolution has been accomplished, and we’ve,” and he indicated the others with a paw, “been asked to invite you to join the government.”

“Not interested.”

Another man, an otter, said, “’Not interested?’ You were the one who called for the revolution! The things you said and posted on social media brought us all together in a common cause – “

The ringtail frowned. “You want to know why I won’t have anything to do with your new government?”

The otter faltered and said, “Well, yes.”

“All right, then. I’ll tell you.” The bassarisk got to his feet. He was wearing a V-neck t-shirt and cargo shorts. “Your revolution is not mine. I called for inclusion; you want to exclude those you consider unworthy. I called for tolerance; you want to impose your own morality on everyone.” He twitched his banded tail irritably. “Worse, you have outlawed dancing.”

“Dancing – “

“If I can't dance to it, it's not my revolution,” the bassarisk quoted. “If you change things, I would be happy to add my name to yours. But,” and he looked at the faces of the five men facing him, “I can see that I am trying to reach closed minds and dead souls. My decision is final.” He gazed down at his desk and the papers on it. “You can all go now.”

He stayed standing there as the quintet left his apartment. The bassarisk then crossed to the front door and locked it.

The man selected a tune from his playlist and, all alone, began to dance.



end