at
10:00 p.m. he is done. He titles the story, "The Safe."|
"Literature Under Glass: Watch the artist struggle,
suffer, and ultimately triumph! |
Imagine the writer in a store window.
He has a thermos of coffee laptop computer connected to a projection
screen.
At 8:00 p.m. he begins. He has two hours to create a story.
At first his mind is blank. Then an idea strikes. He
begins typing…
No, that's all wrong. He pauses. Sips his coffee. Begins again. Damn.
People strolling through the streets of Providence occassionally stop. He smiles at them.
He begins writing a new story playing to the crowd. Types a joke. It doesn't get a laugh. Another and another and another.
Now another new story. The eighth beginning. A ninth beginning
The clock is ticking. It is clearly visible in one corner of the screen. He begins to worry that all is lost.
There must be a story here. No, not that one.
At last he realizes that he needs to pick one and take it through to the end.
He starts and begins typing furiously. Despite the cold in the exposed store window, he begins to sweat.
at
10:00 p.m. he is done. He titles the story, "The Safe."
The small audience applauds. They walk away. His coffee cup is empty.
Credit Due: The idea was stolen from Harlan Ellison. Thanks.
All stories Copyright 1994, 1999 by Mark Binder
All Rights Reserved