This week’s prompt is a story starter, so take the element provided and turn it into a story of any length you choose. If you’re stuck on size, I suggest aiming for 1000-2000 words.
On a flight, two people recognize each other. One is right. One is wrong.
Write whatever this triggers, and use these details however you wish. Put them together, use them separately, make one a detail in a scene, whatever inspires you—run with it.
I like siting in LAX and watching for the big movie stars flying out, maybe flying to a movie set somewhere in the world. I used to come here almost every day as a youngster. But I am older now, with a wife, kids and a job. I can only come on holidays.
ReplyDeleteHolidays are great. Lots of travelers and the odds go up dramatically that I will see movie stars.
Why, just last Memorial Day, I saw John Wayne, dressed in his Green Beret uniform, patrolling the halls of LAX. He was accompanied by Jack Soo in his Vietnamese Army uniform. A few weeks later, on The Forth of July, I saw James Cagney tap dancing in the walkways, singing Yankee Doodle Dandy.
The best holiday to come sit in LAX is Christmas Eve. I come every year. Christmas Eve is special because you know, Santa comes. It is only time I ever see him. Just after Christmas Past, well, passes, but before Christmas Present comes, Edmund Gwenn arrives, dressed in his Santa suit, carrying a huge bag of toys on his back. He struts through the walkways of LAX shouting at the top of his lungs, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus."
Jack woke from his sleep on the red-eye from New York to LA. Next to him sat a woman, dressed in a white silk sequin gown, dark curly hair down to her shoulders, smokey eye liner, exaggerated eyelashes and red lipstick.
ReplyDeleteHer: Hello, I hope you don't mind me sitting here. I felt lonely.
Jack: No, it's OK. The plane is emptier than usual.
Her: Yes it is. For once I would not have minded a guy approaching me and none have. You'd think that I scare people.
Jack: Not likely. You have a beautiful smile.
Her: Thank you. You're cute too.
Jack: Do I know you? You look familiar. Are you an actress?
Her: Yes. I wanted to be an actress ever since I saw Clara Bow at her Wings movie premier at the Criterion Theater.
Jack: Clara Bow?
Her: Cara Bow was beautiful and glamorous that night. I started to dress like her. Every day I went to school in a gown, hair done up, and rouge make up. My grade school principal call my mom and told her I need help. My mom told him behave himself. "One day she will be famous and you will claim to have been her teacher."
Jack: Your mom is amazing.
Her: No one messed with her.
Jack: Have I seen your work?
Her: Not yet but keep looking.
She pats her hair, smiles at him, as she slowly fades, leaving an empty seat.