Week 32…
The last time I wandered down Clement street with a friend, they took me to one of those shops where I knew I was going to spend money: cute stationary, local art, and eclectic books. Drawn to its colorful cover, I picked up Lucy Ives’ “three six five” (an inexhaustible compendium for writing). To my delight, it lives up to its subtitle — offering unique prompts that keep my synapses firing and my keyboard clicking.
no.32 Eclipse (how serendipitous; I’ve been thinking of this one for awhile, but clearly this is the weekend to post it) >>

Write one half of a dialogue between two people. Leave space — visually, mentally, musically — for questions, responses, retorts we cannot perceive.
“Ah yes, clever you.”
—
“Nope, can’t say that I did. You must be proud.”
—
“I believe it. I don’t imagine you’d be very good at your job if you weren’t.”
—
“Mmmm. Has it ever occurred that you see these things because people trust you?”
—
“I trust you.”
—
“‘I don’t know, it’s a mystery.’”
—
“Sorry — another movie quote.”
—-
“Shakespeare in Love? Not a great film, but an enjoyable one. Caused all kinds of grumblings at the Oscars that one year, remember?”
—
“Mm-hmm, that’s it.”
—
“C’mon, you know that’s how my brain works. Anyway, you should have by now. Noticed it, I mean — since you’re so very observant.”
—
“Honestly, I don’t know why. Or rather, I can’t articulate the reason.”
—–
“Even I have off-days.”
—
“Whimsy and rage are not mutually exclusive, champ. Especially not for girls.”
—
“Yes, yes. So smart.”
—-
“Oh? But I haven’t shown you anything I haven’t wanted you to see.”
—
“Go on then — tell me something I keep hidden.”
–
“I… well, I haven’t really been trying that hard, I guess.”
—
“Not in so many words, no.”
—
“Becau– I mean, the myriad reasons are fairly obvious, don’t you think?”
—-
“You did. And I wanted to honor that. But I still… couldn’t quite help myself.”
–
“Yeah, more socially acceptable.”
.
“… so, do you hate me?”
.
“Please only say things like that if you mean them. I don’t think I can overstate how much I only want you to be honest.”
—-
“Yesss, I know. And I would never, ever want to do anything to complicate that.”
—
“Well, the question is: do you trust me?”
–
“You do. More than you think. So again: do you trust me?”
–
“Then you’ll recognize it was the only avenue open. Small, innocent subterfuge. I was trying to be-“
?
“Ha. Yes. Clever.”
SF Neighborhoods/Places Explored: Cayuga, Ingleside, SF MoMA, Mission District, The Roxie, Outside of Outside Lands
Soundtrack: Silence; so I can let the other person speak ^^
Bus + Bench Book: Welcome to the Monkey House: A Collection of Short Works by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
Lesson-Learned: Fog is far more forgiving than sunshine on my shoulders.
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