Breaking Point

A bit of Flash Fiction. 350 words of fanfic for Ian Flemming's Agent 007, to perhaps, provide a smile.

The scene is a dank, dungeon-like space, the floor stained with old blood, the walls impregnated with the screams of the dying. Centered, is a table on which James Bond lies, shackled and helpless. With him is a man in a tuxedo. His face shows no cruelty, only indifference, though his eyes belie that indifference and his eyes glitter with malice.

 “So, Mr. Bond, it’s down to this. You will tell me all your department’s secrets or you suffer more than you have believed humanly possible.”

Cooly, and with a sneer of dismissal, James Bond shakes his head. “Do you think you can frighten me, Coldfinger? I’m a trained agent. Pain means nothing to me. You may kill me, yes, but I’ll never give in, and I’ll take my government’s secrets with me to the grave.”

 That brings a smile and a sad shake of the head. “You may believe that, Mr. Bond, but once I use this machine, you’ll be a spillway to everything I care to know.”

He points to a small machine sitting on the table next to where Bond is chained. It’s a simple box, with a single control--"a small pushbutton. From the box two slim wires run, presumably connected to James Bond in some unknown way.

 Bond turns his head as much as his shackles permit. He frowns before saying, “What does it…do?” The simplicity of the thing obviously has him concerned.

 “It makes you talk, Mr. Bond. It makes any man talk. When I push that button you will know agony such as no man has ever faced. It’s connected to your neural system, and will make you know exactly how a woman feels in labor…hard labor.” Coldfinger grins, cruelly, as he leans back in his chair, hand poised over the box, awaiting a response.

 For a long moment Bond stares, as though accessing the chance that the man is lying. He weighs his options and resources. Finally, he shrugs and takes a deep breath.

“Okay…. The man in charge of my department is named Quincy Farber, and his second in command…”

Reviews

[olla]

oh.. you didn't just make me smile.. I laughed right out loud.. well done.. I am a Bond fan.. this was delightful..

[Dave]

Childbirth! Ha! I've had severe kidney stones! Some of my teaching friends , who have had children and kidney stones have told me the kidney stones were the worse pain they ever experienced.

Take care - Dave

[The Chameleon]

Well, I certainly am disappointed that James Bond gave up so easily if he did give up. But now I want to read more to find out if he is spilling his guts or just stalling for time?

[ImaginaryMight]

The story was clearly written. Though I found it lacking in the premise. Why tell this story? What's special about subjecting James Bond to some torture device? There's nothing clever or unique about it. This torture device, this neural contraption really so diabolical? Also I thought the pain one experiences in childbirth is not so severe a torture. I mean if a man wants to extract information from a woman does he first impregnate her and offer a cesarean section in order to extract information he needs?

[Sir Aphid]

simple, somewhat comical, but well written. Good descriptions and narrative.

[Alexandra G.]

I enjoyed reading this amazing piece. It has it all!