Reality, TV
by Dean Clayton Edwards
Leather swivel chairs, enormous desk, celebrity photos neatly-framed on stark, white walls.
Tony sighed.
“Didn’t you get my email?”
“I’ve been on holiday,” said Graham. “Don’t people use the phone anymore?”
“Things have changed a lot,” said Tony.
“Everything but me,” Graham chirped.
“Yeah,” said Tony. “Everything but you. Graham - the new series didn’t do as well as we had hoped. The latest polls show that people aren’t switching on anymore. I’m sorry, but your contract won’t be renewed. If it’s any consolation, it’s been a ... magnificent ... long ... career.”
He should have known. Even his wife didn’t watch him anymore. She said he made her cringe.
“It’s ok,” he said and Tony looked relieved. “I was thinking of spending more time with the kids. I can’t go on forever.”
“No.”
“No.”
*
Much later, on his way home, he got out of the car, leaving the engine running. Tower Bridge. Below, the river was muddy and inviting. He climbed the railing. Slippery shoes.
Above, a bird flew in silhouette against the lightening sky. He raised his arms and closed his eyes, imagining his descent, like an ancient bird of prey.
And then he slipped.
He screamed, but his fall was interrupted by the pavement.
He scrabbled to his feet, embarrassed, but it was ok. No-one was watching.
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41 comments:
Oh, my goodness. I'm still giggling. The dialogue to introduce the piece was awesome, and the last part - just brilliant. Loved this, very very much.
Good set-up. Was relieved that your character didn't pull a prima donna farewell-cruel-world.
Refreshingly normal.
Succinctly told, and a great ending.
It's all about image, no matter what the event. --JR
Best last line! I love a twist you don't expect, especially when it's funny! Awesome.
Looouuuuuvvvhh the last line!
To be famous one day and a nobody the other. It sucks all the pride out of you.
Brilliantly told.
Ha! Love the last line!
Awesome punch. loved the ending! :)
Good twist to a nice set-up. Quite funny.
Great ending. And definitely a slap of reality for Graham.
Now that's my kinda writing!!!!
Nice twist. Enjoyed it
Ha! Thanks for bringing the contest home with a laugh.
That was great! Loved that even the wife didn't watch him anymore. That was a great line. "She said he made her cringe." I feel the same way everytime I see an ad for a new reality tv show. oh so much cringing.
Very good and very different. Loved the set-up.
Also, like everyone else, loved the irony of the last line. Though as an echo of where his career was, it had more a thud of sadness than jollity about it.
Well done.
I love the theme of nobody watching at the end and how it ties it to the start. Great job!
Ouch. This puts a whole new meaning on invisible. I liked the way everything changed expectations to something so painfully embarrassing, humorous, real. You expect him to maybe jump. He doesn't. You don't expect those common words at the very end to mean just what they do.
I love the way his character shows through in this. Well done.
Loved the last line, bringing the reader back to the first half of the story. One of my favorites. So glad he didn't jump and splat.
good`ùn, dean... and so glad the twit was not my namesake :O lol
Loved the worry that someone saw!
Caveat
Something I Would Keep
The two "No"s. I don't know why, but I like that interaction very much.
Something I Might Tweak
Um....well, slippery shoes and "and then he slipped." (?) Maybe vary word choice?
Heh heh heh...
I smile as i key this comment. poor poor man. i am actually feeling so embarrassed for him. and i hope to goodness that no one was watching.
The progression of dialogue is very beautiful. It was an easy read and kept me attentive.
This is so well written. Liked.
It makes one smile. It's fun reading.
Crisp sharp writing with a smile inducing ending. Great piece.
good twist in the end. loved it.
LOL
Thanks for the laugh! Great pacing and twist.
Such a funny ending! :)
This is a great twist at the end - I didn't see it coming, but it's perfect! I love the detail about his wife.
Have to agree about the ending, loved that. Nice twist.
Whew! That was a close call.
sad and funny at the same time..god one
This is great. The last three lines-brilliant! (Okay--the last 2-brilliant, the one before-hilarious ;-) )
Oh the superficial life of a celebrity!!
This is very clever. I liked the humour and pathos. And that David Brent awkward moment in the office - Cringetastic!
I liked this a lot.
Lol, great twist. Especially considering some of the entries that have come before.
it ain't over until the unemployed actor screams
What a treat after reading 236 others. Laugh out loud funny ending, in part because the laughter is due to relief. No one wants this poor guy to die. He had his day, and it's over, and he chooses to retire rather than act like Leno. This is really witty and brilliant. One of my favorites.
LoL!
I can picture the scene (and feel his embarrassment...)
Oh I totally lurved the ending .. that's my kinda humour :D
The end made me smile - I hope it also brought him to his senses.
He was suicidal until the moment of truth, then embarrassed when he slipped, loved it!
Congrats on the H/M!!
Dottie :)
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