NANOFICTION: THE SMOKER

("Nanofiction" is a story exactly 55 words in length.)

Peeved, she brushed off a grey speck that had landed onto her new dress. "You know," she needled him, lips curling downward, brow furrowed, "You really should stop smoking."

He paused, imagining her as decomposing roadkill, then took a hearty drag from his cigarette. "Why?" he growled, flicking his ash again. "To prolong the magic?"