Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting this wonderful group and to Sean Fallon for the photo.
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Genre: General Fiction (100 words)
Copyright – Sean Fallon
Adorned
The statue arrived in pieces, sender unknown.
“I don’t want it,” said Professor Benton, standing in his underwear.
“It’s on the docket. I need a signature.”
“Take it away,” said Benton, punching the delivery man.
Without a signature, the delivery man escaped, dripping a path of blood.
Neighbors reattached the statue, decorating him with Christmas lights until he appeared in Eleanor’s third-floor apartment. Some theorized that Eleanor, at 93 years old, needed his company. Others claim she was the original sender. No one doubts that the statue, blinking and glowing in the window, became the centerpiece for Eleanor’s lively social calendar.
Lovely Amy well done.
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Thank you, Summerstommy.
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Completely unexpected, Amy, but I like it.
janet
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Thank you, Janet. I was going to go the metaphorical route, but at the last minute I changed my mind. I couldn’t make the other story work!
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Poor delivery man. Didn’t even get a tip.
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I know, poor guy. He’s just trying to do his job.
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Good story Amy! At 93 I might find a use for him too. 😉
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I know, right?! Thanks, Jackie.
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At 27 I can find an use for him lol
That’d be a nice coat hanger.
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I think we could all find some use for him. Ha ha!
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haha! Yup so true. I can see it holding a coat and maybe an umbrella. 😉
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Nice one Amy, I would have taken the statue from Eleanor, I need some place to hang my coats.
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That would be perfect, Leo. Do you have such a statue in your house! Maybe this is just what you need.
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Love your imagination Amy.
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Thank you, Audra!
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So imaginative. Well done Amy, I could just see this.
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Thanks, Sandra. I’m glad to hear you say that!
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Dear Amy,
Are you familiar with the story of Lester Gaba? Your story put me in mind of it. Here’s a link. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2203951/Lester-Gaba-Meet-Cynthia-1930s-mannequin-New-York-sensation.html
I enjoyed your story.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, Rochelle! I loved that article. That’s hilarious. Pictures are amazing. I laughed at the part that said Cynthia fell apart easily. Poor Cynthia. I hadn’t heard of that story. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I’m glad you enjoyed my story. Thank you.
Amy
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The power of imagination paired with great writing. Thanks!
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You’re most welcome. Thank you for the nice compliment.
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So what was she doing with that statue! 😉
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That’s part 2 of the story, Frank. I think he became a constant companion!
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At 93, she’s probably known her share of empty-headed men. This one, at least, will require less care and feeding 🙂
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Exactly, Jan! This guy could be the perfect companion. Ha ha.
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Just wonderful, Amy! This one flows so well, and gives us a complete, satisfying story. ““I don’t want it,” said Professor Benton, standing in his underwear.” Love that!
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I love that line too, but you beat me to it.
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Thanks, Ted!
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Thank you, Dawn. Yeah, I want him to be seen as slightly mad and just who is sending him naked people! Thanks so much!
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What a bizarre piece! I love it.
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Thank you, Ted. So glad you enjoyed it. I love when things are slightly off, or even a lot off!
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Loved the detail with the Christmas lights.. really made the piece in my mind
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Thank you, Bjorn. I could just see him dressed up this way in the doorway entrance. Graffiti…no. Christmas lights, yes!
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Oh, I love it. From the portrait of the nasty professor to the good wishes of the neighbours, who rescued it and assembled the mannequin for Eleanor, this was a wonderfully rich little offering you have given us this week!
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Thank you so much! Thanks for lovely comments.
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What a neat story, Amy. And I can see this happening in some places in real life. Loved the addition of the Christmas lights. It made the story REAL.
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Thanks, Sandra. I think the Christmas lights do tie it together somehow and it happened quite accidentally. I like when that happens. Thanks for reading.
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I’m glad Eleanor has a lively social calendar at 93. That gives me something to look forward to.
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Me too, Russell! There is hope after all. Thanks!
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Amy, this was great! I loved it — how you can summon up such a story with heft in just a few words, well — bravo!
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Brigitte, thank you! What a nice compliment coming from you since I so admire your writing. You ought to try this prompt. It’s really fun and it’s a great group of wonderful writers! It comes out every Wednesday.
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Hi Amy,
Hope you didn’t strain your imagination with this one, because it’s wildly imaginative, to the nth dimension of inventiveness. And I think, from the ones I’ve read, you are the first to break into the Christmas genre. Ron
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Hi Ron,
Amazingly, no, I did NOT strain with this. It took off in this wild way. This, after deciding not to go the more serious path. That story could not take shape. And the Christmas lights I’m sure have everything to do with their every merry presence already! That too, was spontaneous. Thank you for your very nice compliments! – Amy
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Please tell me that Eleanor was just dancing with the statue. Please! I’m upset enough envisioning Professor Benton in his underwear, let alone anything stronger!
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Ha! Perry, it’s a good thing my story is only 100 words then! I hope this made you most uncomfortable. Really, my goodness, Perry. Whatever are you thinking?!!
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That’s quite a nice piece, Amy. I’m curious why the professor was so violent. Is there a Part 2? I’m curious to know more about it.
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Loved this, but I’m also wondering the same, Amy!
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I think of it more as a comedic kind of thing, as opposed to being really violent. We’re talking about the mad professor! There had to be enough of a reason why the driver just drove off! It had to leave it without a signature, mind you. It’s not so much about violence as it is about plot. Thanks for asking though.
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Thanks, David. As I mentioned to La La, I think of it as the mad professor lashing out and it being a moment of comedy. There had to be a strong enough reason for the driver to leave without a signature. There are many loose ends I could fill, but I don’t think I’m planning on a Part 2 at the moment.
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If he only had arms he could hold her tight.
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Ha! Right, Dawn. That is definitely lacking!
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Oh, but I’m thinking, what if the dripping blood isn’t the delivery man’s? What if the delivery man isn’t a delivery man?
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Ooooh, I like your thinking. There are definite possibilities. Thanks!
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🙂
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Eleanor knew that at any age we can always use a nice young man we can take apart now and again.
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Right, Michelle. We could all learn a thing or two from Eleanor!
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