Written for Fandango’s Story Starter #228.
Here’s my story using Fandango’s opening line.
Andrew is successful, attractive, and charming, but people of that age always have secrets.
His was buried in the server room of Stanhope & Associates, hidden in lines of code that funneled pension funds into offshore accounts. Small amounts at first …. testing the waters …. then bolder. The process was elegant. Beautiful, even. It redistributed wealth in ways the firm’s aging partners would never notice, their eyes glazing over spreadsheets while Andrew smiled and nodded in meetings.
The problem was Sydney in Compliance. She’d started asking questions last week, her emails carefully worded but unmistakably pointed. Andrew had invited her to lunch, deployed his usual arsenal of self-deprecating jokes and attentive eye contact. She’d laughed, softened. But she hadn’t stopped poking around.
Now he sat in his corner office, tie loosened, watching the city lights. His phone buzzed. Sydney again. Can we talk tomorrow? Found something strange in the MSD file.
Andrew’s reflection stared back from the darkened window – successful, attractive, charming. Everything he’d worked for hung in the balance of that message. He could run. He could confess. Or he could do what people his age did best when cornered: adapt, improvise, and pray that youth’s invincibility would carry him through one more impossible situation.
His fingers hovered over the keyboard.
NAR©2026
#FSS
This is “Kid Charlemagne” by Steely Dan
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
What to do? He seems switched on enough to find a way past this minor hiccup!
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This is one slick cookie. I wouldn’t waste a thought on him at all. Thanks, dear Keith.
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Great tension and suspense! Your writing quickens my reading pace. 👍🏻 Thank you, writer Nancy! 🖋️⚡
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Wonderful to know that, Michele. I’m so glad you enjoyed my story. Thank you!
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You’re very welcome! 🌼
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Nice story, this sounds like it could be part of a Dirk Malone story and I see that you used a little Steely Dan to finish it off.
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What a very cool thought, Mark; I have never done a story crossover. Interesting. I thought Steely Dan was the perfect soundtrack. Thanks for your comments.
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Time to quit his job & disappear to a tropical island.
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Are you talking to me or to Andrew because I agree either way!
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We all learn from each other, real or imagined…😉 Is Andrew in your dream, or are you in his?
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The way I see it, Andrew has several choices, as he could offer to split the profits with Sydney, or try to disappear, or he could have Sydney killed, because I don’t see Sydney letting this go. Wonderful story, Nancy.
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Absolutely right, Jim. I don’t see Sydney letting go or splitting the profits. He’s going to have to take drastic measures. Thanks for a great comment, Jim.
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Let me at him…
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Be my guest! Just watch your hip.
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This leaves me thinking- you can run- but you cannot hide! So well done, Nancy.
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Great thinking, Jodi! Thanks! No one can hide from Dirk Malone. 😎
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I see what you are talking about in the other comment now! hehehe
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I must be delirious. I just realized you weren’t talking about the Dirk Malone story 🤣
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Hmm what is his plan now?
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Wouldn’t you like to know? Hahaha! So would I! 😂
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Lol 😂
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What a cliffhanger! I wonder what he chose to do.
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thanks so much, sweets. That’s what’s so great about open-ended stories; you don’t have to worry about stuff like that! 😂
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Great story I hope you do a follow up 👌
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Thanks so much, Ange. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Right now, my only continuing character is Dirk Malone, and he wouldn’t like me two timing him with another character! 😀
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That’s very true Dirk has to take priority 😃
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yes a great great I wonder how he will deal with Sydney…seduce, reduce, dispose of her or frame her like a picture….. 💜💜💜
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Haha! Excellent comment, Willow. Possibly all of the above. Thanks so much 💜
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✨✨✨✨✨
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Perhaps Andrew has met his match and Sidney won’t be blinded by Andrews good looks and charm. A good read, Nancy.
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Thanks, Fan. I don’t think he’s going to get rid of Sydney that easily. Thanks for an intriguing prompt
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