Author: R.

• Lizzie
• Richard
• Lisa
• Serendipidy
• Tom
• Norval Joe
• Planet Z

The next topic is Trailers

LIZZIE

“What kind of flower is that?” She asked.
“This is a very special flower,” he answered.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s a contact lens. It helps us to see the future.”
She looked unsure.
“The future?”
“Yep.”
She looked even more unsure.
“How so?”
“Look.”
Then, he whispered and the flower wavered slightly in the wind.
“In a year’s time, this garden will be wonderful, full of life, and filled with beautiful flowers. You know why? Because when you cherish something, everything flourishes.”
She smiled.
Just as he thought, that small flower helped with a lot more than the future.

RICHARD

In the eye of the beholder

I thought she had the most beautiful blue eyes, until we hooked up, and I found out she was wearing tinted contact lenses.

I could live with that, thanks to her gorgeous, long golden hair, until the night I ran my fingers through it, and the wig came off in my hands.

At least she still had a figure to die for, until I realised the breasts were fake and she wore a corset.

The worst part was discovering one of her long, shapely legs was false, when she took it off at night.

She had a lovely personality though.

LISA

Deceptive Appearances

His eye colour seemingly changes with every visit, I thought I was mistaken at first but I think he’s wearing coloured contacts.

With all days blending into one it’s hard to remember things. I chant them to keep them fresh in my head, hoping I’ll survive and need to use them as evidence. It’s hard and I’ve got a permanent tension headache. But what else can I do?

The girls tentatively told me earlier that there were others down here but he took them and didn’t bring them back. I don’t, and won’t, tell them about the bodies we found.

SERENDIPIDY

Lost your contact lens, are you quite sure?

Come closer and let me look.

No, it’s still there, in the corner of your eye. Hold still and lets see if I can slide it into place.

Oh dear. Me and my fat fingers! This isn’t working.

What I need is something thin to slip under the edge, and ease it across.

Maybe this razor blade will do the trick?

Now, what did I say about holding still?

Stop squirming, won’t you?

Oh my goodness!

I told you not to squirm!

On the bright side. You only need one lens now!

TOM
NORVAL JOE

Billbert stood at the door to Grandma Buhmilda’s Biscayne, ready to climb in.
“Linny,” Mr. Withybottom growled at his daughter. “Come with me.”
She glared at him with one eye nearly closed as if she had lost a contact lens. “No. I’m going with my friends.”
“They’re not your friends. Now, come on,” he said much louder.
“Yeah, Lindy,” Sabrina sneered. “We’re not your friends. Go with daddy.”
Linnoliumanda’s face dropped at Sabrina’s declaration.
“Don’t listen to her, Linnoliumanda,” Billbert said. “You’re my friend, and whether Sabrina admits it or not, you two are cousins. Maybe you have magic, too.”

PLANET Z

Tiffany wore glasses.
She shuddered at the thought of sticking something in her eye.
She couldn’t even bring herself to use eyedrops.
The best she could do was stand in the shower with her eyes closed, face the shower head, and open her eyes.
And even then, it took a lot of will to open her eyes.
When her eyesight got worse, she was offered the chance for surgery, but just the thought of it… she would rather go blind.
“We can knock you out for it if you like,” said the doctor.
Counting down from ten, fading into sleep.c

• Lizzie
• Richard
• Lisa
• Serendipidy
• Tom
• Norval Joe
• Planet Z

The next topic is Contact lens

TOM

Small Pleasures

Jimmy’s dad was a working-class man. A time where the color of your shirt outline the vocation that selected you. Despite limited funds in their home, Jimmy’s day faithfully every Saturday morning wake him up for a trip to the Bakery. It was Jimmy’s job to choose a random dozen donuts for breakfast. He knew his mother favorite and each sister’s. His younger brother would eat anything within 14 inches of his mouth. Choosing for Dad was always a challenge. He didn’t have a sweet tooth like the rest of the family. So, Jimmy chose one stuffed with olives

LISA

November 23rd

Christmas had crept into the incident room a week ago with random cards on filing cabinets and some very incongruous tinsel. I’m only there today as a picture on the wall.

So, the police now know who’s doing this. Except they don’t. Only I do and I’m locked in a basement with a dozen faces that are all more familiar than I’d like them to be.

I’ve told the girls I’m police. I try being upbeat; a lot have been here for months. I try not to think of the faces on that board that aren’t down here with us.

NORVAL JOE

A dozen teenagers gathered in the empty lot across the street from where Billbert sat on the curb.
Buhmilda shoved some bread into his mouth and said, “Swallow quick. Those people over there aren’t some random crowd of onlookers.”
When Billbert’s vision cleared, he saw the burly crowd of yellow-toothed Black Knights, and jumped to his feet.
Buhmilda looked to Mr. Withybottom. “Well, Cuz? Should we take the kids to your place, or mine?”
Linoliumanda’s father looked aghast. “Why do we have to take them anywhere?”
Buhmilda shook her head sadly. “Climb in kids.” And motioned them to her car.

RICHARD

Sold!

I’d never been to an auction before, but I was having fun.

I placed a few practice bids on random items, just to get a feel for things, in readiness for the lot I’d had my eye on right from the start.

Just a suitcase, one of a number of lost luggage lots, and despite the stories of people finding all sorts of expensive surprises in them, I’d a sneaky suspicion the auction house went through them beforehand.

I just wanted the suitcase: perfect for my next holiday.

I won!

The suitcase, and the twenty kilos of cocaine it contained!

LIZZIE

The secretary was rushing back and forth, folders everywhere. She was so upset that a pile of papers started to spin around all the way to the ceiling. “What’s happening?” She threw her hands in the air. “Brand awareness report. I have 10 minutes. 10 minutes?!” He offered to help, but at that point everything was beyond any help. “I quit, there.” And she stormed out of the office, a trail of paperwork swirling behind her. He just stood in the corridor, wondering how she had managed to get the papers to do that, a shiver going down his spine.

SERENDIPIDY

As an apprentice, I’d had it drummed into me: Brand awareness. Nail that, and everything else falls into place.

Your clients should be able to make that instant association, must be able to envision what the future will look like; how it will feel; how you will change their lives.

It all comes down to brand awareness.

It’s something I’ve never forgotten, and I’ve always striven to put it first and foremost into every interaction, with every client.

Like right now.

“It’s red hot” I say to them, turning the brand in the flames.

“This is really going to hurt!”

PLANET Z

I won’t be going to the local donut shop anymore.
All the register girl has to do is put on a plastic disposable glove, pick out donuts, put them in bags or boxes, and push a few buttons on the register.
It’s not like she has to make change. The credit card reader does all that.
And yet, the last screen on the credit card reader asks how much I want to tip them.
I press NO TIP, grab the bags, and head to the car.
It’s not like they can spit on my food, because I saw it all.