Six Sentence Stories – The Stage Door
“Look, you have the part and you’re wildly talented and everybody knows it so would you please just stop projecting your insecurities onto his behavior and creating a problem where there isn’t one?”
“I don’t know…I guess you’re right…but the way he constantly berates me in front of everyone during rehearsals is beyond directing; it’s abusive and I’m so very tired of hearing him tell me,’that’s the business, Babe, so suck it up or you’ll slip and fall to the bottom so fast you won’t know what happened” while he so generously spends hour upon hour patiently coaching the barely-legal chorus girls about the ins and outs of show business and how to get their four measures of stage time just right.”
“Well, maybe, but remember that you get to walk out of the stage door and go home to that gorgeous apartment with him every night while they cry in their white wine spritzers about how unfair it is that the director’s wife has the lead in the hottest revival on Broadway.”
“Yeah, true…” her voice trailed off as she lifted her chin so her face wouldn’t betray the assumption of life in the penthouse as anything short of perfect.
She ignored him as he pushed open the stage door while berating her yet again for making him wait so long and shrugged away from his grasp as he started too quickly down the icy stairs.
“Be careful,” she said with her hand barely touching his back, “or you’ll slip and fall to the bottom so fast you won’t know what happened.”
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This has been a Six Sentence Story. Each week, the lovely Ivy Walker hosts a link up challenging writers to spin a tale in six sentences – no more, no less. Click on the link right here to find out more. While you’re there, click on the blue frog button to visit the link up where you will find great stories from some of my favorite bloggers.
This week’s prompt was project.
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Stage and film where everybody is acting so much they don’t know who they really are any more or what they want to be. There was an old British song written by Noel Coward which was “Don’t send your daughter on the stage Mrs. Worthington” such good advice that so many ignored.
You picked up on a good hint, Old Egg – where does the acting begin or end?
I believe I’ve heard that song – don’t ask me why! But yes, good reference.
Oh, Lisa. What a good story! So does she actually push him? Or just give him a barb of a reality check? You did an amazing job with the setting, the characters and the plot in these six short sentences.
Thank you, Val. I really love the challenge of these – I’ve missed doing them these last several weeks.
As for whether she pushes him or not…well, a magician never reveals her secrets and neither, I suppose, does a writer. Sometimes the resolution is up to the reader to figure out. 😉
Great story….i dont know which irritates me more him or her….both behavior irk me!!!! Sign of a great story!!! So glad you took this on!
Ah, see, there’s the rub. Do we feel sympathy for her because he’s such a jerk and she puts up with him? Is she really so suffering or is she just as bad – manipulative and conniving, perhaps? I’m really glad to be back in here.
Amazing job with setting this entire scene in so few sentences! Love it.
Thank you, Laura. I’m happy with how this one turned out. Had no idea it was in there! 😀 These are quite a challenge and I’m glad to be back at it.
Ooooh… you are so good at writing fiction! This grabbed me… I want to know if she pushed him, or if he accidentally falls? He sounds like a jerk to me, but I love how you can so vividly paint the scene in just six sentences and pull me into the storyline!
I missed you, my friend! It’s so nice to come back and check in!!
Chris, I’m kind of laughing at your compliment – and thank you – because I do not fancy myself a fiction writer and rarely do it. Maybe I’ll do it more.
I always tell myself “oh six sentences – that won’t take long” but it is hard when there is a finite limit and you have to tell enough of the story.
Whether she pushes him or not…well, I suppose that’s up to the reader to decide. 😉
I think they both need reality checks!
Mmm…yes, perhaps, Michelle. Perhaps they do.
Awesome!! You and Dyanne were REALLY inspired. Always love to read a good piece of short fiction 🙂
Hope you have a great week, Lisa!
I haven’t seen Dyanne’s yet! Heading over…
Have a great week, too, Stephanie!
Everybody involved here better watch his or her back.
In the most literal sense!
nice
Sitting here at my computer, I smiled outloud as I read the last line.
Helluva first Six.
engaging story with a amusing twist.
Thanks, Clark. I guess the ending could be amusing, couldn’t it? Sardonic at the very least.
LISA KILLIN” IT with the six sentence story. SO GOOD!
(yeah, I’m yelling, so?)
You’re so funny yelling. Thank you. It was a tough one!
This was really good, Lisa! I have to agree that both characters were disturbing, and I found myself wondering which one was more so. I have to admit that I smiled at the ending though, just a slight nudge, eh? 😉
A girl after my own heart! Love the story! I think she didn’t push him THIS time, but I think the seed has been planted how easy it would be to get rid of him.
I have NO idea what made me go there…just did. 😀 Yes, I think she wants him to know she’s no pushover.
Thanks, Josie! Yeah, neither one of them is exactly a prize, are they?
You are such a great writer! I must read more of your posts! We need the next six sentences soon.
Well thank you, Pat! Please do poke around and read all you like! I’m looking forward to the next Six Sentences! I did a few when Ivy started it up, but I’ve fallen off the blog planet for most of the summer. I think with school starting next week I’ll be able to get back a better routine.
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