A quarter past three. Lacy was late - again. Francis' face began to give a good impression of the Icelandic volcano which had taken one cigarette too many. His colleagues kept well clear of him at such times. The minutes ebbed away. Francis picked up the newspaper and flipped through from back to front in under two minutes.
"There never is anything worth reading in this rag."
He'd forgotten it was actually his newspaper; the one that had published his first freelance articles; the one with whom he was at that moment negotiating a large contract. His mind started to wander. He saw himself on top of a podium making his Nobel speech. But the Nobel was only given over to literature. Literature was story-telling. Literature was only for the make-believes of the world. He hated story-telling. Random facts, slanted as you will. That was what true writing was all about. So, he awarded himself a Pulitzer for journalism instead.
He was jotting a few notes on his desk blotter when Janice came up.
"What on earth..."
He glanced up on her and then back down onto his desk. Lacy Scottskin found dead. Journalist arrested. He reddened and tried to give Janice a smile. Just then a head popped around the door.
"Hey folks, heard the news. They just found Lacy down in the cellar. Seems someone swiped him over the back of his head. He's in a pretty bad way."
Janice's eyes widened as she turned back to Francis.
Labels: 3WW
pia said...
Love this sentence
Francis' face began to give a good impression of the Icelandic volcano which had taken one cigarette too many
21 April 2010 at 16:55
Thom Gabrukiewicz said...
wonderful little tale, here. I,too, loved the volcanic reference.
21 April 2010 at 17:01
Julie Jordan Scott said...
Love this section:
>>>> Literature was only for the make-believes of the world. He hated story-telling. Random facts, slanted as you will. That was what true writing was all about. So, he awarded himself a Pulitzer for journalism instead.>>>
In an unrelated writing burst today, I equated the game "Truth or Dare" with "Facts or Dare" because Truth telling is WAYYYY to daring for the average person...
^giggles^... and I never suspected Lacy would wind up dead. Is it a ruse?
Read my 3ww here
21 April 2010 at 21:15
b+ (Retire In Style Blog) said...
Oh my gosh!
b
http://torristravels.blogspot.com/2010/04/global-warmingwho-cares-trashing.html
21 April 2010 at 22:28
Angel said...
21 April 2010 at 23:28
Angel said...
21 April 2010 at 23:28
Angel said...
21 April 2010 at 23:28
Angel said...
Interesting!
21 April 2010 at 23:31
Stan Ski said...
Careful what you wish for...
Good post.
22 April 2010 at 02:15
Dee Martin said...
hmmm how did his hand know to write that? Great tension there!
22 April 2010 at 02:35
Thomma Lyn said...
Wowie kazowie! What a twisty tale. I thoroughly enjoyed it. :)
22 April 2010 at 05:20
Andy Sewina said...
Phew, well told!
22 April 2010 at 10:54
Jay R. Thurston said...
Very crafty story telling here. I like the sections that were pointed out by the other comments as well... the volcano reference was clever, and the Pulitzer award for writing was a nice touch of his personality. Did not see the outcome coming... good stuff all around!
22 April 2010 at 17:20
gautami tripathy said...
You are as good as ever!
non-negotiable
22 April 2010 at 17:45
Timothy P. Remp said...
I'd take a Pulitzer while your at it :)
-Tim
22 April 2010 at 18:41
Tumblewords: said...
Well crafted - enjoyed the imagery, too!
23 April 2010 at 00:26
Anonymous said...
hi paul.. for awhile i was really missing those characters back when.. but this story makes all ok... the events lead up to an everyday sorta web he weaves w/o really thinking abt it but unseen consequences stirring... good story!! tonights tide
23 April 2010 at 21:35