Short Story - 879 Words

The Things We Are Supposed to Say He has always hated smudge-prone surfaces like this. The elevator sensor pad is covered with marks and fingerprints. He does not want to think about the people who came before. They don’t matter to him. Someone, some guy, hold the door open as a figure trumps forward. He thinks to himself, â€Å"You couldn’t wait a minute? Why do we hold elevator doors for people? I guess that’s just what you’re supposed to do. â€Å" She’s breathing heavily as she slides in. Her hair is still sitting, perfectly styled on her head. Probably a ton of hairspray. She smiles at the guy who halted up everyone for her, â€Å"Thanks.† â€Å"No problem- Maude.† She is smiling nervously again. Awkward. She doesn’t know how he knows†¦show more content†¦Lynch does not notice the uniquely awkward tension hovering above the passengers of this ill-fated elevator trip. He ponders whether to have a tuna or egg salad sandwich for dinner tonight. Then thinks of, well nothing at all. The stranger looks at the other flustered man standing next to him. â€Å"Get a grip on yourself,† he thinks. Looking between the irritated dame and the poster corporate boy he wonders if they fucked before. Ted can stand the silence filling the enclosed space. He considers cracking a joke about the similarity between flight delays and elevator stalls but is jostled suddenly. The elevator is moving again. The stranger groans as the little ding signals their arrival. He tasks at the other passengers, specifically that annoying bitch Mae or Maude or whatever her name is. He isn’t quite sure why her existence pains him so much. Ted knows he should move. He can’t help but want the words, â€Å"Huh, that was a journey. I could really use a drink. How about you?† to leave his mouth. Maybe this was fate. He and Maude should get a drink and talk until dawn and wonder whether five years ago something more could have happened. But he doesn’t. After another stagnant second, his legs give away and he walks through the aluminum doors. Life isn’t like the rom-coms he pretends he doesnt watch on lonely Saturday nights. This isnt it a meet cute. She doesnt even know his name,Show MoreRelatedshort story1018 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Short Stories:  Ã‚  Characteristics †¢Short  - Can usually be read in one sitting. †¢Concise:  Ã‚  Information offered in the story is relevant to the tale being told.  Ã‚  This is unlike a novel, where the story can diverge from the main plot †¢Usually tries to leave behind a  single impression  or effect.  Ã‚  Usually, though not always built around one character, place, idea, or act. †¢Because they are concise, writers depend on the reader bringing  personal experiences  and  prior knowledge  to the story. Four MajorRead MoreThe Short Stories Ideas For Writing A Short Story Essay1097 Words   |  5 Pageswriting a short story. 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And with thatRead MoreShort Story Essay1294 Words   |  6 PagesA short story concentrates on creating a single dynamic effect and is limited in character and situation. It is a language of maximum yet economical effect. Every word must do a job, sometimes several jobs. Short stories are filled with numerous language and sound devices. These language and sound devices create a stronger image of the scenario or the characters within the text, which contribute to the overall pre-designed effect.As it is shown in the metaphor lipstick bleeding gently in CinnamonRead MoreRacism in the Short Stor ies1837 Words   |  7 PagesOften we read stories that tell stories of mixing the grouping may not always be what is legal or what people consider moral at the time. The things that you can learn from someone who is not like you is amazing if people took the time to consider this before judging someone the world as we know it would be a completely different place. The notion to overlook someone because they are not the same race, gender, creed, religion seems to be the way of the world for a long time. Racism is so prevalentRead MoreThe Idol Short Story1728 Words   |  7 PagesThe short stories â€Å"The Idol† by Adolfo Bioy Casares and â€Å"Axolotl† by Julio Cortà ¡zar address the notion of obsession, and the resulting harm that can come from it. Like all addictions, obsession makes one feel overwhelmed, as a single thought comes to continuously intruding our mind, causing the individual to not be able to ignore these thoughts. In â€Å"Axolotl†, the narr ator is drawn upon the axolotls at the Jardin des Plantes aquarium and his fascination towards the axolotls becomes an obsession. InRead MoreGothic Short Story1447 Words   |  6 Pages The End. In the short story, â€Å"Emma Barrett,† the reader follows a search party group searching for a missing girl named Emma deep in a forest in Oregon. 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