Story A Day May 2012: May 27th – Not like they used to

Late April 2011 I discovered http://StoryADay.org and the project that is to write 31 stories in 31 days. Anyone who knows me or follows this blog, knows how passionate I am about short stories so my clichéd eyes lit up at this new marvel. And just a few days later there I was, breathing life into new characters. This went on to become (with some editing of course) my 31-story collection eBook Story A Day May 2011.

And here we are a year later doing it all over again. Today’s prompt was to write dialogue. Having written a few dialogue pieces this month, I should be practiced. So here is my 301-worder.

Not like they used to

“They don’t make them like they used to, Ted.”

“No, they don’t… what don’t they?”

“These glasses. They don’t sit right.”

“I thought they looked new. Take them back then, can’t you?”

“Suppose. And they’re fussy.”

“Fussy, Frank?”

“Fuzzy.”

“Oh. What, like you can’t see properly?”

“Not properly, no.”

“Then definitely take them back.”

“Vera’s going to town tomorrow so…”

“They shouldn’t have let you leave the shop if they weren’t right.”

“Felt OK then.”

“What made you go for pink?”

“Eh?”

“Your glasses, they’re pink.”

“Are they? They were brown at the shop.”

“Well, they’re pink now.”

“Faded too then.”

“I think they’ve given you the wrong ones. Take them off and see.”

“…Oh.”

“They’re not the ones you chose, are they?”

“No they’re not… they’re Vera’s.”

“Vera’s? Why are you wearing hers?”

“I don’t know.”

“Won’t she be missing them?”

“Probably not, they’re her readings.”

“Oh, right. Did you watch the game last night?”

“Did, Ted. Bit disappointing.”

“Bunch of girls, aren’t they. I used to play football, you know.”

“I do.”

“Teddenham Tigers.”

“And you were good.”

“Thank you, Frank. Back then it was a proper sport on proper wages.”

“Didn’t tell me you were professional.”

“Not me, no, but the lads who did, you know, in the big clubs, got a normal wage and were grateful. Didn’t drive around in flashy cars back then. None of this status symbol and wags.”

“Wags?”

“Wives and girlfriends.”

“Oh yeah. And none of this rolling over in ‘pain’ with the slighted nudge. Lads knew how to tackle back then.”

“They’re all sissies nowadays. That’s why I prefer watching rugby.”

“Gentleman’s sport.”

“And they’re built like men. You know, big, strapping.”

“I do, Ted.”

“The footies are all tall and lanky, like matchsticks.”

“Don’t make them like they used to, Ted.”

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Unfortunately, as I post an interview a day (amongst other things) I can’t review books but I have a feature called ‘Short Story Saturdays’ where I review stories of up to 2,500 words. Alternatively if you have a short story or self-contained novel extract / short chapter (ideally up to 1000 words) that you’d like critiqued and don’t mind me reading it / talking about and critiquing it (I send you the transcription afterwards so you can use the comments or ignore them)  on my ‘Bailey’s Writing Tips’ podcast, then do email me. They are weekly episodes, usually released Monday mornings UK time, interweaving the recordings between the red pen sessions with the hints & tips episodes. I am now also looking for flash fiction (<1000 words) for Flash Fiction Fridays and poetry for Post-weekend Poetry.