Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Entry #55

"Long Distance"
by Jenny Amadeo


Wow – it’s really storming out! Is it raining by you? Should I be on the phone right now? Can’t I get electrocuted or something?

I don’t know, didn’t your mom always tell you not to be on the phone during a lightning storm? And to unplug the TV’s? Reminds me of when the tornado sirens would go off and we had to go down to the basement.

She didn’t? Huh. Guess it’s a Midwest thing. I always thought it was kind of fun. We would all get to grab pillows and blankets, and my mom would bring food. It was our version of camping. She always brought olives. And stale Italian bread. I mean, how are you going to survive on olives and bread crumbs in a basement?

Holy crap! Did you hear that?

Okay, how could you not hear that? It sounded like a bomb just went off in my apartment! I think I need to go. I don’t want to get electrocuted.

I don’t know – through the window? Look – if I get electrocuted it’s going to be your fault. How are you going to live with that?

Exactly. All right, I’ll talk to you later.

You too. ‘Night.

6 comments:

Jade L Blackwater said...

Haha, that was great! I just loved the way that the one-sidedness of the conversation becomes clear at the end. Well done!

Lisa Jordan said...

The dialogue is so real, probably the same conversation many of us have spoken about storms. Nice way to throw in the short jaunt down memory lane.

Bhaswati said...

Clever use of second person. The narrator has a nice, perky voice. Enjoyed reading this :)

cesarcarlos said...

Clever and original. Very nice!

anna said...

If your mom didn't warn you about phones in a lightning storm she should have. Love the 2nd person format - nicely original!

Anonymous said...

Jenny, love the challenge of showing a conversation with only one side. Very believable and well structured. High marks for pacing and storytelling.