Shade

I have a love of words, silliness, and wit. Sometimes, to rewrite the ridiculious or the nasty, and dial it up (“eleven is one louder“) is all you can do.

Below is a list of the items that are tagged as Shade. I struggle to list them as comedy or satire, so shade it has to be.

  • Scene: As if by magic
    It is the 1970s, in a quiet suburban road of terraced houses. Children play in the street, retired folk are walking their dogs, and a business man leaves the house. No umbrella today for him today, for although there are clouds, the sun peeks through cheerily. The front door closes with a soft click and […]
  • Scene: Piblington Baggage
    A man sits on a cheap plastic chair. The factory space is cold, damp, and a bright light shines is his face. There is little sound except the the occasional drip of water. Robert Hooksmith: Hullo? Is, is there anyone there? I’m very cold and someone’s tied me to this chair. Elderly voice: Hooksmith, you […]
  • Scene: The Network
    Two smartly dressed Victorian gentlemen are making the way through rough ground, trying to reach a windmill. Watson: This way Holmes. Not much further. Holmes: Yes, I can see that. Watson: Don’t be snippy, Mister You-can’t-top-my-IQ-on-a-dartboard. Holmes: Why in the name of evidence and deduction is this internal contraption stuck out in the depths of […]
  • Scene: The Cabal
    A dimly lit space in a once posh looking restaurant. A fug of steam hangs in the air. There’s a strong and delicious scent of freshly baked bread.A circular table rests in the centre, while collection of mismatched chairs bump up against it. Voice 1: Good evening colleagues. Welcome to the quarterly meeting of the […]
  • Scene: A new life awaits
    A group of people gather on the shore of an ancient island. Behind them, a volcano steams and rumbles, darkening the skies. Classic architecture has fallen or leans precariously.Water washes up from the sea and spills over the marble walkway. Ocul: New sandals then Rafus? Rafus: Yeah, double platforms. They help keep my toga dry […]
  • Scene: Piblington on Sea
    A small podium has been set up in front of a government building by the seaside. Press and the public are gathered around. Robert Hooksmith, Mayor: Good morning everyone and thank you for coming to the mayoral election announcement and Q&A. Polite applause ripples through the crowd and cameras flash. Mayor: Thank you everyone. Through […]
  • It’s not me, it’s you
    Hi Subscription News App, I thought we’d have a sit down over a coffee, I feel we need to talk. I’ve really enjoyed your articles, satire, and the amazing journalism you’ve been doing these last few years. Speaking truth to power and championing the rights of people. Yeah, you’re waiting for the ‘but’ aren’t you? […]
  • Scene: Trellness
    Hi, A guest post today from Su Pinder-Kup, a new wellness coach. Please keep in mind that SPK has a nonsense – sorry, no nonsense! – approach to exercise, that some readers may find a little frank. Just make sure little Frank is tucked away safely and do your best. Hello everyone and welcome to […]
  • Scene: Tagged
    A gentleman of senior years sits behind a modern desk in a beautiful vintage office. There’s a knock at the door. Sir Gregory Hutt-Morton: Yes? Two men enter the room wearing finely tailored dark suits. One has a briefcase and both are wearing bowler hats and vintage sunglasses. Sir Gregory Hutt-Morton: I’m sorry, gentlemen, but […]
  • Script: The Reading
    Three people in somber clothing sit in front of a dark wooden desk. They’re in the library of an old house. Outside, rain batters the window and thunder rumbles in the night. A typical summer really. Robert Schmidt-Easton: Thank you for attending the reading of the will for the late Professor Emilius Elwood. Derek Foxton: […]
  • Script: Impish
    Scene: a gentlemen of senior years in a smart suit stands in near darkness. Outside the gloom, fire crackles unseen and there’s an unpleasant chemical taint to the air. Sir Gregory Hutt-Morton: I say, hello? Is there anyone there? A collection of spikes and barbs rise from the floor with a screech of metal against […]
  • Script: Testing times
    A number of mostly middle-aged women wait outside a meeting room. Inside, two people can be seen moving tables and chairs around. Karen: Oh, sorry I’m late everyone. Couldn’t park. Oh, what’s that on the door? Jenny: Hi Karen. We’ve not started yet, so you’re not late. Oh, that thing on the wall? It’s a […]
  • Script: Make the skies grey again
    Dear Fictional Newspaper, I feel it’s time to be truly honest about the causes of my transgender nature. For years I’ve been reading scholarly articles, following researchers including psychologists, geneticists, and other health professionals, hoping that they may find an explanation as to why some of us are straight, gay, cisgender, or transgender in nature. […]
  • Scene: The Truth
    Scene: a video call with a collection of people. Simon: Given what’s going on at the moment, do you think we should come clean about YATGB? Jane: You mean the truth will out? I’m not sure. Just because two high profile people have been caught lying to the population, do we need to change? Simon: […]
  • Script: The Search
    Scene: a staff meeting room in a secondary school. Ru: Thank you all for coming in today and at such short notice. Colleagues at the table nod and smile. Tina: So, Ru, you said it was urgent. Liz: Sorry, I’ll just pull the curtains to. The sun’s a bit low. Sorry, Ru. Ru: All settled? […]
  • Script: Rapid
    Scene: two people are sat drinking coffee on a park bench. There’s a small dog on an extender lead sniffing nearby. Fiaz: Oh man I needed coffee this morning. Delia: No one makes a cup like Man In An Old Van. Just, try to stick to one a day. I had two last weekend and […]
  • Script: Door to door
    Scene: Two smartly dressed women are walking down a gravel driveway towards a small cottage in a village. The cottage has an old fashioned greenhouse nearby. Doris: Would you like to go first this time? Georgia: I’m a bit out of puff after that hill. Would you mind? Doris: Of course not. Doris knocks on […]