Thursday, February 28, 2008

It was a dark and stormy night

A few weeks ago, I won a writing contest on a blog run by the talented artist rtisan (you can see my gorgeous prize in a post about the contest below). Well, I ran a link to the winning essay and figured that was enough, but a writer friend told me I should run it on my blog. It really didn't seem necessary to me, it was just a little riff on noir detective fiction (incorporating a list of words rtisan provided).

On the other hand, I haven't posted in a few days, and this is ready to go. Enjoy!

* * * *

If it weren’t for the torrential rains and that damn wiener dog, sitting in the middle of the doorway like he owned the place, I would have kept on going and never would have noticed the dame in the galoshes. I mean, she wasn’t much too look at, standing there in that disgusting gray overcoat, her complexion like peanut butter and jelly. Grape jelly.

“Got a light?” she said, in a voice that reminded me of Carrotop on coke. She stuck an umbrella out and blocked my way. I tried to weave around it, but she hooked me around the ankle and pulled tight.

“Hey, gumshoe,” she said. “I’m talking to you.”

I turned to look at her then. She had a nose like a stiletto, a mouth like a head of cauliflower. “Kind of a stormy night, ain’t it?” she said, and I could tell that she was coming onto me. “What of it?” I said, trying to maintain my usual swagger but she unnerved me, this dame. I knew what she wanted, and I knew that in the end I would give it to her.

I always had a soft spot for peanut butter and jelly.

11 comments:

amy said...

First of all you're hilarious. Love what you wrote in my blog, and second of all, you're a teriffic writer. Carrot top on crack.

Sherie said...

you deserve an ovation, outstanding prose! love it.

Callooh Callay said...

Thank you both! I knew I liked the people around here.

UniqueNurseGranny said...

This is priceless.A way with words...

GreenSpaceGoods said...

hahahaha. Great story! Congrats :)

Anonymous said...

When will the book signing tour begin? That was great!

Anonymous said...

That is too fun! I can only imagine the crazy list of words you were assigned. Very creative of both the contest designer and you : )

Unknown said...

i loved that story, and your vignette of the lady! a well-deserved win :)

Callooh Callay said...

Thanks so much! It was a fun contest.

Unknown said...

You have a gift, my dear! FUN.

lavinia hanachiuc said...

I love it!
It reminds me of Mr.Big and the old detective movies with bogart.
I feel sorry for the guy though, that's an unfortunate weakness.