Centerpiece

Prompt: Write a story that takes place over breakfast.

    “Apples or bananas, Rudolph?” Maribeth’s call was received in silence. After a moment, she tried again.

            “Rudolph, I’m asking, apples or�"”

            “Depends what yer goin’ fer woman,” a gruff voice from the living room replied, “apples are fer pigs and bananers fer monkeys. How’d ya wanna offend the guests?”

            Maribeth weighed a banana in her right hand and an apple in her left and wondered for the millionth time why she even bothered to consult her irritable husband on the more delicate matters of food preparation.

            “The Parvishes are not animals, dear.” She ended up placing both banana and apple into the fruit basket that would serve as a centerpiece for their important breakfast. She added a few more of each to fill it up and then carried it out to the dining room table.

            “They are our honored guests,” she continued as she positioned the centerpiece in what she hoped was the exact center of the table, “and we will treat them as such, despite…” she let her statement trail off.

            “Yah, woman, you think they’re animals, too.” Rudolph snorted. “Pigs ain’t all that bad…wi’out ‘em we wouldn’t have any bacon!” He let out a whoop. “Woman, let’s cook them Parvishes for breakfast!”

            “Rudolph!” Maribeth exclaimed in a poor attempt at outraged incredulity. In truth, she was well accustomed to her husband’s ridiculous propositions. Even rude suggestions pertaining to distinguished visitors.

            “We will not fry the Parvishes and serve them with a side of eggs.” She hoped that her dramatically stern tone of voice hid the edges of her faint smile.

            “Sure thing, woman, you’ll change yer tune when them Parvishes start the poo-flingin’ like monkeys do.” Rudolph entered the dining room, his giant-esque frame filling the doorway. He made a rude scooping gesture behind his back and flung imaginary dung in the direction of his wife. Maribeth let out a squeal and ducked back into the kitchen.

            “Now, Rudolph, the Parvishes will be here any moment now,” she scolded, returning to the dining room with a plate of freshly baked blueberry muffins. “Clean up your language and put on a respectable face.”

            “Respectable?” Rudolph looked forlornly at his wife. “But then I lose all m’charms!” Maribeth harrumphed.

            “If demonstrating the finer arts of poo-flinging is the height of your ‘charms’, I daresay we are better off without them!” she retorted.

            The doorbell rang. Husband and wife looked at each other. Then Rudolph hurried off to the bathroom to wash up and Maribeth dumped the basket of apples and bananas in the trashcan. She chose a quite lovely artificial floral arrangement for the centerpiece instead.

Author's Note

From time to time I like to search the internet for a random prompt. This is the result. Feel free to critique away, I only ask that you refrain from internet poo-flinging.

Reviews

[Warrior]

Great story telling. This did justice in the realm of getting the message across. Great message. There's lot of times where a story can have a great message to aim for, and have a lot of under lining things but then no one gets it, and if no one gets it, then the point has failed. But in my opinion this did well to get the message across. You made it clear, which is why I think it's good. Keep up the good work. What was also great was that I could imagine the story as I read it, and that is also a strong point of stories. The ability to have the reader imagine it because after all we're reading not watching it, but it was as if I was there as I read this, and that is great. Good job once again.

[Delmar Cooper]

I see what you mean about prompt search. This is the second story of yours I've read. The other was a response to a prompt also.
My first thought was about wasted talent then I saw you were twenty and backed the steam off my curmudgeon valve. It isn't talent you're wasting, only time, and you have plenty. Keep on responding to the prompts and once you have mastered salivating at the sound of the bell you can move on. You have plenty of time.

[Chad Sell]

I think this is a compliment, so thank you! I must admit, I'm rather confused as to what you mean by this review.

First things, Venti was not written in response to a prompt. That was straight out of my head with no guidance from a random website.

Also, I'm curious as to what you mean by thinking I had wasted talent then realizing I was twenty...perhaps I'm just being very dull right now (entirely possible, I got little sleep last night) but I'm confused by what you mean.

And one other thing: most of my writing isn't done in response to a prompt, this one just happened to birthed when I was sitting on the couch with my sister and we decided to write a short piece based off random prompts found on the internet.

All confusion aside, thank you for taking the time to read and review my stories! I'm glad you enjoyed them :)

[Delmar Cooper]

Damn right I meant it as a compliment. I don't think you are wasting talent, but your penchant for absolutely minimal stories is exercise. When do you start the triathlon? I noticed you were twenty and have plenty of time use it as you will. Frankly, if Ihad your ability I would do nothing but write. Take that back, If I was twenty and had your ability I would do nothing in the daytime but write.

[Chad Sell]

Wow, high praise, thank you! I understand now :) This past July I started the "triathlon" I suppose, but it's far from complete and needs much work still. I try to write as often as I can, but...work. And other obligations. Thanks again for the generous comments!!