Welcome To My Blog



Ever wonder what it's like to be in that moment between struggling artist and published author? Read on and find out.



Friday, February 1, 2013

Gray View


            Once again, I am participating in the Snapshot Prompt over at Chasing Revery. This week’s picture proved to be a bit of a stumper for me. Normally, I look at one of the photos and a host of ideas pop into my mind. When you’re dealing with shades of gray and some bare trees there is certainly less to draw on for inspiration. But I like a challenge when it comes to writing so here it goes.

            The five words that need to be included in the story are: Bill, Chisel, Tile, System, and Bicycle.

 

 

            Talk about beating the system. John started on his twentieth mile on the exercise bike. Placing it in front of his living room window it was like riding a regular bicycle, but without all the slick, snowy roads and icy wind to bother him. So much for cable. John had no plans to line the pockets of the fat cat entertainment moguls who lived off the wasted lives of the people.

            As far as that went, the electric company could enjoy a heaping bowl of not-out-of-my-pocket-you-don’t. After the bill they sent last month, John turned off the heat during the day and kept the thermostat at its lowest setting at night. A full regimen of exercise kept him warm as well as entertained.

            John pictured, in his mind, how each act of protest was like taking a chisel to one of the gold tiles that covered the mansion floors of the rich and powerful. Yes, indeed. In another month he imagined them on their knees, facing the brink of ruin.

            For the first time in days John smiled as he gazed out on the gray skies and barren landscape that comprised his world.   

 

 

12 comments:

  1. For it stumping you, you did a good job. I love his dedication, even if I think he's crazy. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. I was hoping that readers would have some sort of empathy for him. You know, a far away, detatched kind of empathy. :)

      Delete
  2. You did an awesome job. I love his "stick it to the man" mentality that's got him making some good decisions actually, like exercising and reducing time in front of the TV...enjoying nature, even at it's grayest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I was worried it was going to come out rather anemic.

      Delete
  3. Wow, Randy, great job! If that's stumped, I'm impressed :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Stumped. For me that meant it that an idea didn't jump straight into my head as soon as I saw the picture. Probably should have used a different term.

      LOL

      Delete
  4. I'm feeling that way after the electric bill we just got. Some time in the negatives, plus an electric rate hike makes Shannon a sad girl. Good piece! I hope his world becomes a little more colorful.

    Shannon at The Warrior Muse

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It doesn't get that cold here, but I figure it's the same way as it is for us in summer. Hope you are less sad this month.

      :)

      Delete
  5. Riding the bike to stay warm! And healthy! Nice entry. Mine's posted, too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nice job, Randy! I like this for two reasons:
    1) I'm impressed John road 20 miles on a stationary bike without getting bored out of his mind.

    2) You turned a life's micro-moment into a story. In real life, the imagery and thoughts you painted would only last a nano-second. Here we get to read the fleeting moment in slow motion and it's entertaining!

    Well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well thank you very much. I appreciate your comments. Hopefully people will read it and want to know a little bit more about this odd character when they're done.

      Delete