Life in progress

Tag Archives: Flash Fiction


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355. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Tuesday, August 21st, 5:00 6:00pm
Simon (and Sofia)

 

Simon sits at the window. Sofia takes the seat beside him.

Sofia: I’m sitting here because there’s somebody at the back of the bus I don’t like.

Simon: Oh really?

Sofia: It’s more like I don’t understand her. All she talks about is guys with beards. She absolutely loves guys with beards. Can’t get enough of guys with beards. I wouldn’t mind, but she’s obsessed. And I don’t know – she’s just got really bad taste.

Simon: (turns) Which one is she?

Sofia: Doesn’t matter. She wouldn’t like you. You’re clean shaven.

Simon: Oh, I don’t care if she likes me. I just want to see how bad she tastes.

 

Next stop: Wednesday, August 22nd, 5:00pm

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.


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354. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Monday, August 20th, 5:00pm
Valhallah (and Troy)

 

Valhallah sits at the window. Troy takes the seat beside her. He looks at her for a moment and turns away.

Valhallah: Go ahead, ask me why I’m so gorgeous.

Troy: Why?

Valhallah: Thank you. (she touches his nose with a fingertip and turns to the window)

Troy: What the…

Valhallah ignores him for the rest of his journey.

 

Next stop: Tuesday, August 21st, 5:00pm

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.


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353. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Sunday, August 19th, 5:00pm
Danielle (and Dale)

 

Danielle sits at the window. Dale takes the seat beside her.

Dale: Hey, Danny, long time no see.

Danielle: (frowning) Yeah …

Dale: What’s new with you?

Danielle: Oh, you know.

Dale: Lots of changes for me. I just moved and stuff.

Danielle: Uh huh.

Dale: So, how’s the wife?

Danielle: I … don’t have a wife.

Dale: (one eyebrow raised) Didn’t you get married a while ago?

Danielle: Yeah, but I married a man.

Dale: Really? I didn’t know you were gay.

Danielle: I’m not.

Dale: (turning red) I’m sorry, I thought you were someone else.

Danielle turns to the window, self-consciously rubbing the dark hair on her upper lip.

 

Next stop: Monday, August 20th, 5:00pm

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.


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352. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Saturday, August 18th, 9:00pm
Edward (and Bella)

 

Edward sits at the window. Bella boards the bus.

Bella: (as she approaches) Oh God, you’re back already?

Edward: Just to show you something. Then I’m gone.

Bella: What is it?

Edward: Sit down and I’ll show you.

Bella sits beside him.

Edward: (pulls envelope out of his pocket) My ticket. I’m leaving tonight for Transylvania. To find my ancestors.

Bella: Your family came from … wait. You know you’re not actually a vampire. And even if you were, you’re not related to Vlad the Impaler.

Edward: (sighs) I am a vampire and I am descended from Vlad.

Bella laughs.

Edward: You don’t believe me.

Bella: Of course not.

Edward: Then how do you explain my escape from prison?

Bella: I don’t know – a friend who eats flies?

Edward: No! I turned into smoke.

Bella: Right. Okay then. Let me see you do it now.

Edward: I can’t. I … wouldn’t want to attract attention to you.

Bella: To me? (laughs again)

Edward: You hurt me to the quick, Bella. But never mind. I will go to Transylvania and return with riches, and then you’ll not be able to deny me.

Bella: Watch me.

Edward: You’ll see.

Bella: Right.

Edward: Now, if you’ll excuse me.

Bella waits.

Edward: I’d like to get off the bus now.

Bella: You’re not going to turn into a bat and fly out the window?

Edward: The windows don’t open.

Bella: (stands) Have a nice life, Edward.

Edward: I will Bella. When you’re finally in it for good.

Edward exits the bus.

 

Next stop: Sunday, August 19th, 5:00pm

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.


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351. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Note: Strong language

Friday, August 17th, 5:00pm
Bob (and Robin)

 

Bob sits at the window. Robin takes the seat beside him.

Bob: You don’t look very happy.

Robin: I’m not. I got stood up. By a pastor of all people.

Bob: Really?

Robin: Yeah. My old pastor retired. We’ve got a new guy apparently. I had an appointment for marriage counseling.

Bob: Well congratulations. When are you getting married?

Robin: In three weeks. And if I don’t see the pastor, he won’t marry us. Look; (turns on phone and shows him appointment) there it is, right there.

Bob: Your appointment’s for Saturday. Today is Friday.

Robin: No it isn’t.

Bob: I assure you it is.

Robin: No way. (takes closer look at phone) Fuck.

Bob: I don’t recommend you do that before you get married. But we’ll talk about that tomorrow, shall we?

Robin: (frowns) Beg pardon?

Bob: (holds his hand out to shake) I’m Bob, your new pastor.

 

Next stop: Saturday, August 18th, 9:00pm

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.


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350. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Note: Strong language.

Thursday, August 16th, 9:00pm
Bella (and Alice) (and Edward)

 

Bella sits at the window looking worried. Alice takes the seat beside her.

Alice: What’s up?

Bella: The cops went over to pick up Lily.

Alice: ‘Bout time.

Bella: But there wasn’t a house there.

Alice: What do you mean there wasn’t a house there? You had the address written down and everything.

Bella: I know. Apparently, that’s why they didn’t pick her up in the first place. It was a vacant lot. Just a hole in the ground.

Alice: So what, you wrote the address down wrong when Edward let you go?

Bella: No. I went over there myself. The house was there just like I remembered. So I called the cops and went to a coffee shop to wait. When I went back again it was just like they said. A vacant lot.

Alice: That’s spooky.

Bella: And worst of all? Edward escaped.

Alice: Holy shit.

Bella: I know.

Alice: So what are we going to do?

Bella: I don’t want to run away …

Alice: … but there might not be any choice.

Edward: (pops up from the seat behind, making them both jump) It’s okay. I’m going to leave you alone.

Alice: You’re doing a good job already.

Bella: Stay away from me.

Edward: That’s what I just said. I’m going away. For real this time.

Bella: Promise?

Edward: Yes. But I promise you this too. I’ll see you again. When you least expect it.

Bella: That’s reassuring. How about never?

Edward: That’s not possible, Bella. We’re meant to be together. (smiles, showing fake fangs) Good bye for now, my love.

Edward sits at the back of the bus until it stops. He gets off.

Alice: What’ll you do when he comes back?

Bella: (opens purse to reveal a wooden stake, bulbs of garlic, and a cross) I got it covered.

 

Next stop: Friday, August 17th, 5:00pm

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.


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349. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Wednesday, August 15th, 6:00 5:09pm
Hillary (and Drommen)

 

Hillary sits at the window. Drommen takes the seat beside her.

Hillary: Hey.

Drommen: Let’s go on a date.

Hillary: (sits up straight) A real one?

Drommen: Yeah. A real one.

Hillary: (narrows eyes) Are you going to give up … you know.

Drommen: Yep. No more asking people if they want to watch me masturbate on the bus.

Hillary: You’re not going to hate me for making you give it up?

Drommen: No, I’ve made a decision regardless.

Hillary kisses him on the cheek.

Drommen: (smiles) Where do you want to go on our first date?

Hillary: Your place.

 

Next stop: Thursday, August 16th, 9:00pm

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.


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348. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Tuesday, August 14th, 6:00pm
Simon (and Wendy)

 

Simon sits at the window. Wendy takes the seat beside him.

Simon: Can I ask you a strange question?

Wendy: Sure.

Simon: If you were going to be executed but first they had to give you anything at all you wanted to eat, what would you order as your last meal?

Wendy: Hmmm … I think I’d order an endless buffet. Then I could eat myself to death before they got their hands on me.

Simon: That’s brilliant! I can add that to mine.

Wendy: What do you mean?

Simon: Well, I was going to order a fresh human as my last meal. But a whole buffet of them? I’d be in heaven before I even got there!

Wendy: That’s sick!

Simon: Do you really think so?

Wendy: Absolutely!

Simon: (thinks for a moment) Maybe I should stick with just one then.

 

Next stop: Wednesday, August 15th, 7:00pm

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.


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347. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Monday, August 13th, 5:00pm
Gordon (and Rachael)

 

Gordon, dressed in a suit and tie, sits at the window. Rachael takes the seat beside him.

Gordon: (takes a small mirror from his briefcase and looks at his face) Hmph.

Rachael glances at him.

Gordon takes a compact out of the pocket of his jacket and begins to apply eye shadow.

Rachael: Oh my God!

Gordon regards her.

Rachael: I love that colour! What’s it called?

Gordon: Cerulean Summer. I got it in the drug store at the mall.

Rachael: I gotta write that down. I’ve been looking for a colour like that forever. Thank you.

Gordon: My pleasure. (goes back to fixing his eyes)

 

Next stop: Tuesday, August 14th, 6:00pm

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.


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346. Scenes from the Second Seat on the Right

Sunday, August 12th, 1:00pm
Winston and Freda

 

Winston: You know, I could very well be the most beautiful man on earth.

Freda: To somebody, maybe.

Winston: What’s that supposed to mean?

Freda: Your nose is on crooked, you have one eyebrow that constantly looks surprised, and there’s cake in your chin dimple.

Winston: I can pick the cake out.

Freda stares at him.

Winston: I was saving it for later.

 

Next stop: Monday, August 13th, 5:00pm

Click here to learn all about this series, how it works, and where to find your favourite characters.