A day in the life...
An entry for the Bubble Bestiary. Letter ‘G’.
It really sucks, you know. The doorbell rings just as I’m feeding my hair, and for one teeny moment I forget, and open the door without putting on my glasses first.
Poof. One stone television repair person on the porch.
I drag him inside and close the door before I notice anyone else. Shame, he looks like a decent sort, too. His heels scratch furrows into my linoleum as I manhandle (excuse me, wrestle) him to the back door and out into the yard. There he joins my unfortunately growing collection of statues. Some are nice and mossy by now – I’ve been here a while – but there’s a distressing number of them wearing twentieth century clothing.
My hair starts hissing for their food, so I go inside and resume feeding them white mice, bought yesterday at a bargain price from the pet shop. I’m his best client, I’m sure. He thinks I keep pet snakes. He’s not wrong.
I put on my make-up, my hair humming contentedly now that they’re fed. That thing about mirrors … you have to understand, the guy had a magic mirror. Normal ones are not a problem. So I put on make-up, noting that the skin still looks pretty good after all these millennia. And I put on the wig. My hair really loathes the wig, I can tell you. But there’s no blending in with a head full of snakes, now is there?
Finally comes the momentarily forgotten glasses. Lead-impregnated, specially imported from Switzerland. They think I’m working with seriously weird radiation. It depends from which side you’re looking, I suppose.
Then I’m off to work. I have a job as a lawyer’s receptionist. Just typing, making appointments, the usual. People tend to freeze when I glare at them, but at least the glasses ensure that they resume moving afterwards. It’s kind of useful, that way. I always have their full attention.
I remember to call the TV company to complain that the repair person had not fixed it. What’s a girl to do but watch TV? It’s not like I’m much into dating these days. There’s the age difference, for one.
On the way home I stop by the supermarket for a TV meal, only to remember the TV is still broken. So I get MacDonalds and watch the sunset from my statue-filled garden.
And life goes on.
Constructive critisism postively sought after!
Dorothy Venter
Real cool. Now I understand why I freeze when you glare at me… ha-ha
Empress
You are way too good at this!
I’d wondered if snaky hair was limited to the head but hadn’t made it as far as feeding those snakes.
Damian
Excellent Leoni! Loved this one too. A really cool time and place for a medusa story :)
Leoni Venter
Thanks Empress and Damian! Glad you enjoyed it! It’s Gorgon story, to be exact. Medusa was one of three Gorgon sisters. She was killed, but who knows about the other two… :)
Damian
LOL, details details! No, you’re right of course. The last few things that I’ve had anything to do with gorgons have used medusa as the overall term, so I’ve taken that habit with me :)
So Medusa is dead, the second lives here collecting garden statues, so one more to be accounted for…
Leoni Venter
I give you the third one to play with :)
Damian
Yikes, I just read Empress’s comment properly then as well!
’...if snaky hair was limited to the head…’
...and then, that I can play with the third one…! LOL! Might be safer to go find my succubus…
Leoni Venter
I think you’re right, your succubus would be much safer :)
bellmusker
Leoni, a beautiful idea, constructed with wit and charm….and Medusa, my favourite! Damian sent me this way when he learned of my gorgon obsession, and I have to thank him for that. I loved the idea of her hair humming contentedly; such a glorious image. Medusa speaks to me in so many ways that I have her tattooed down my right arm….really enjoyed this.
kseriphyn
Pretty cool story to me. I love the dry wit and the idea of the gorgon trying to fit in just to get by.
yt sumner
I love this. The humour and voice is right on the mark. I read this a few days ago and it keeps popping back into my head and making me smile. Awesome job.
Have you read ‘The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break’ by Steven Sherrill?
Your gorgon might just live down the road from him.
nancyames
This story is most enjoyable and well written – who hasn’t experienced the receptionist’s icy glare? And the playfulness with the snake-hair and the statue collection is very amusing. I think, if anything, that this story could be expanded, with more plot and characters being involved. The essential idea is strong enough to support more and I could easily see this happening in a screenplay too (as in the new Green Room group.)
Leoni Venter replied
Thanks so much for the great feedback! I’m glad you enjoyed the story. If I wasn’t so lazy, I’d certainly expand it .. in fact, I thought it would be a longer story and it just stopped itself there, no negotiations :) I go with the flow, LOL!
Rachel Counts
Great writing…. great details! I could picture everything that was “going on” as I read this…
Natella2020
This is so funny! So there’s a nice one, huh? Maybe “nicer” would be more proper. But I suspect life gets boring if all the people become statues. I really enjoyed the tone and idea—a 21st century living myth. I think Dracula is mowing his lawn right next door…. (It’s 10 pm here, you know how he is about sunlight)
Ellen Winchell
Enjoyed this. was waiting to see how the statues became statues.
Yup, I would sugjest using this for as a base for a longer piece
Haarsha
You amaze me Lee! Love this piece. Great work! :-)
RuthFroehlinger
This piece of writing is great – I loved it.
KiwiAna
Great premise for a way out TV show. Loved it
devotee1
Very well written, witty and entertaining. Love it!
nnimus3
what an awesome idea, very clever
Adrian Kent
Brilliant, I really enjoyed this!
Terrapanthera
I’ll be back for more, you are a very talented lady!