So, this one is a little unusual. I was give the words Poke, Secret and Sympathetic. That first word reminded of the idea of poking somebody online, and I had been listening to a podcast about epistolary stories and it got me wondering what a modern take on an epistolary story might look like (the answer is, at least partly, difficult to format!). Anne We had the best time last night Julie Really? He seemed so… You know Anne Yeah, I know. He seemed REALLY dull at first. Hard to say no though, right? Julie He was sweet, with the whole song thing Anne Exactly! Julie Sounds like it was worth it though? Anne Yep! He really opened up over dinner and turns out he’s really interesting And he’s rich! Julie Really? How rich? Anne Proper rich Julie And how interesting? Tell me more! Anne Like, he works in computers, and sold something for millions rich All sorts of stuff He’s travelled Speaks like six languages Surprise – very outdoorsy Julie Wow! What was it? Sounds perfect Anne I’m not sure. Wasn’t really listening to that bit Julie Find out for me? Anne Sure – I’m seeing him again tonight Don’t tell anyone though, k? His family won’t want us dating Secret, k? Julie Course Anne Anyway – I gotta get to class Speak to you later? Julie Probably. I’m going to the movies with Paul and Sarah, so might not be able to answer quickly Anne np ttfn Paul Hey – I’m so sorry, but I can’t make the movie tonight. I’ve already got the ticket though. You wanna see if Anne wants to join you. Have a girl’s night? Julie I don’t think she’s free tonight Sarah Ergh. Girl’s night? So cliché… Paul Really? What’s she doing? Julie I’m not supposed to say Paul You can tell us. We’re all friends, right? Julie No – she asked me to keep it secret Sarah Spill it, Red. You’ve got some gossip. Julie No Paul Go on. Sarah Go on. Paul Go on. Sarah Go on. Julie Really? Double teaming me? Sarah Go on. Paul Go on. Go on. Go on. Julie Fine – she’s got a date with Daniel Paul Daniel? Sarah Dull Daniel? Julie Yes – they went out last night and had a good time, so they’re doing it again tonight. Paul Don’t worry – we won’t tell. Sarah Who’d care anyway? Julie Err? You guys? Julie Poke! Anne Morning Julie Well? Anne Well what? Oh yeah – how was the movie? Julie Ha ha. Very funny How was your date? Anne Disaster Julie Oh no! What happened? Anne We were at dinner Just opened the wine Appetisers were amazing! Then he gets a phone call And he answers it! Julie That doesn’t sound so bad. We’ve had whole conversations while you’ve been on a date. Anne Yeah, but then he gets up and leaves!!!! Julie What? Anne Quick apology, but he’s gone!!! Julie Did he say why? Anne Leaving me with dinner for two sat alone No. Didn’t say anything but have to go Julie I’m so sorry What could have made him run off like that? Anne I don’t know I don’t care Julie What a jerk Did he at least pay? Anne Yeah Left his ccard with the waiter Julie That’s something at least Anne I guess Oh – I asked him that question for you You know – about what he made and sold Julie Oh, yeah? What was it? Anne Something called Macrodine Never heard of it Julie Me neither. Weird Anne Anyway See you l8r Getting ice cream for breakfast Cos I’m a grownup Julie Hugs Love you Julie Hey. Got a sec? William Shoot. Julie Have you ever heard of Macrodine? William Don’t think so. Is that an IT thing? Julie I think so, but I’ve never heard of it either, and nothing’s coming up from a search William Give me a few seconds. Julie K William No – nothing coming up. I don’t think that’s a real thing. Microdine is real. Macrodyn is real. Can’t find Macrodine. Julie K Thanks William What’s this about? Julie Nothing. Don’t worry about it. Thanks. Daniel Hey Julie Daniel? How did you get my contact? Daniel Paul. Don’t be mad. Need to talk to you. Julie No you don’t. Not after how you treated Anne the other night. Daniel I know. I treated her bad. I want to make it up to her. Julie So, why are you talking to me? Daniel She won’t return my calls. Julie And you’re surprised? Daniel No, but I need to get in touch with her somehow. I really like her. Julie You’re going to need to give me more than that. I’m not feeling very sympathetic towards you right now. Why should I help you get another chance to hurt my friend? Daniel Look – I know I screwed up. Julie Understatement. Daniel But I need to apologise to her. Julie Who was the phone call from? Daniel My parents. Somehow they heard that I was dating Anne, and they freaked. They don’t like me dating. Julie Dude – you’re an adult. Who cares what your parents think? Daniel You wouldn’t say that if you had my parents. Julie Incidentally, what’s Macrodine? Daniel Macrodine? Why? Julie Just wondering. Anne mentioned it, and I didn’t know what it was. I figured you’d be able to tell me. Daniel Right. It’s an app. Searches menus of local restaurants and takeaways for the best place to order from. You know – if you’re in a group, and one person wants pizza, and one wants curry, and so on – it finds the best place to go to get all of those. Julie So why couldn’t I find it? Daniel I don’t think it’s been released yet. And they’ll probably change the name to something more user-friendly when they do. Something with a bit of zazz to it. Julie Fair enough. You promise to be good to Anne if I ask her to get back in touch with you? Daniel Absolutely! Julie OK – I’ll talk to her. No promises mind – decision is for her to make. Daniel I understand. Thanks. Julie Poke. Anne Hey you Julie Weirdest thing happened. Anne What? Julie Daniel contacted me. Anne What? Why? Julie He said he’s been trying to get in touch with you to apologise about the other night. Anne Yeah. So? Julie Well, I kind of felt bad, so I told him I’d talk to you and try to get you to respond. Anne Why? Julie Well, he said the call was from his parents and it made him freak. Anne So Why do you feel bad? Julie I’m sorry. I know you said it was a secret, but Paul and Sarah were bugging me, so I told them. I guess I’m worried that they gossiped and that’s how his parents found out about the two of you. Anne Julie! I said secret! Julie I know – like I said, I’m sorry. You know how those two can be. Anne Yeah I suppose Julie Anyway – he said that he really wants to apologise and make it up to you. Anne I dunno Julie He said he really likes you. Anne Fine. One more dinner We’ll see how it goes Julie Let me know! Anne Sure Anne Julie! Are you there? Julie Of course. What’s up? How’s the date going? Anne Amazing! You know how guys like totally don’t know how to apologise? Julie Yeah. Anne Well he just upped and apologised in the best way! Julie And you’re talking to me? What did he do? Anne He’s in the bathroom Get this To make it up to me, he wants to take me on a business trip He needs to go to Cuba And he wants me to come! Julie Wow. Cuba? But, are you sure that’s a good idea? Anne Why wouldn’t it be? Julie I don’t know. Perhaps because a couple of days ago you never wanted to see him again. Anne Yeah well Julie Anne – you there? Anne Sorry – yeah Some guy walked past our table and dropped his briefcase Accidentally picked up Daniel’s instead but I put him right Julie That seems a bit weird Anne This stuff happens ALL THE TIME when I’m with him Same when we first went out Anyway I’m here because you told me to And its Cuba! Julie I don’t know. It doesn’t seem a good idea to me. Anne Nothing funny going on We’ll have separate rooms and everything Not that we’ll need them if he takes me to Cuba Julie Slut Anne Cuba! He’s back Got to go Julie Poke Poke Poke Poke Anne – are you there? Anne – please answer. Poke Anne So Funny story Julie Oh god – you’re ok. I was so worried. Anne Yeah, I’m fine We’re both fine Julie Where were you? Why weren’t you replying? Anne Cuba Julie Slut Anne Actually its more than that Keep a secret? Julie Of course Anne Proper secret this time? Even from Paul and Sarah? Julie I said I was sorry! Anne Turns out that Daniel is actually a spy! The trip to Cuba was a cover while he did a mission! Julie? You still there? Julie Yes I’m still here. What? Anne Yeah – he’s totally a spy That story about his parents was rubbish He was being sent on a mission Julie To Cuba? Anne No That was to Paris Julie Paris? Anne Yeah. We were totally at dinner in Cuba And people started shooting guns at us So we ran away and he pulled me behind a table and got his own gun out Then he started shooting and we ran some more Julie Oh my god! Anne Then we broke into someones car and got in a car chase Ikr? Anyway, turns out I was a good partner He’s taking me to Istanbul in a couple of days Julie ??? Anne So like don’t worry or anything Turns out we’re good at it I’ll let you know when we get back We should do lunch Julie Uh huh Anne
And remember Proper secret this time
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Flash FictionSome shorter fiction, usually based on some kind of challenge. Archives
October 2021
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