Friday Writing Prompt — The Bank Robber

~ By Jeff Salter

Happy Friday. 

Today, to kick off the weekend, we’ve got a writing prompt. Thank you to Jeff Salter for coming up with it!

Don’t be shy. Dive in and give this a shot. It’ll get you warmed up for a weekend of writing, and prompts are a great exercise in learning about your voice.

Have fun!

SITUATION:

In NYC, you’ve just been taken hostage by a notorious bank robber from the 1930s.

Describe the robber.

He didn’t start out to involve you, but you were innocently standing behind his getaway car — so he improvised and pushed you into the rumble seat before speeding away.

What are you wearing?

The robber – let’s call him “Mike” – now has multiple offenses on his record (besides the theft itself). Now he’s also guilty of kidnapping and violation of the Mann Act… since he’s driving you all the way into Connecticut.

After a full hour’s ride in what’s basically a padded trunk (and even though he has not yet reached Connecticut), Mike finally stops to let you stretch your legs.

What’s the first thing you say to Mike?

Mike’s NOT really a bad guy. Now that the police are far behind, he takes the time to chat with you. He didn’t want to rob the bank, but when they foreclosed on his only property, he had nothing left… and no hope. During this stop (and after conversing with you), he has decided to keep going but is willing to let you go. Before you go, he has one question.

What is Mike’s question?

Leave your scene in the comments!

Find more writing prompts here.

Jeff Salter, who has written 12 novels and five novellas, already has 12 titles released with three royalty publishers. Three more titles are due out this year. He has several works in progress.