A flash of fiction
'The Talent Scout'
'Standing on the sidelines. Seeking one from within the crowd. The one with the commitment to make it happen. The one ready to make the sacrifices for that journey from naiveté to reality.
I tell them they're special, gifted and that they are different to all around them. I chose them, and them alone, as they are a breed apart. I listen to them, allow them to vent their grievances and empathise. I tell them how they remind me of myself at that age, and how I wished I had been guided by wisdom.
I give them a taste of what awaits them, and promise more, if they follow me.
I allow them to choose to spend time in my sanctuary, learning both the rewards of following my philosophy and the punishment for transgression – ostracised, hungry for attention. I am their staple diet.
I encourage them, give them the strength to ignore, turn their backs on the ignorant and indolent. In due time, they too will…understand. They come under my wing; I protect them. I train them, helping them realise their potential.
I lend them purpose.
The results of a job well done are divine, exciting. Sometimes, it's explosive. Innocence is cheap. Grooming is paramount.'
17th & 31st July, 2005, Berkshire
posted by Woz at 5:59 pm
16 Comments:
On first reading a hint of sinister, sinister all the more for being so eloquent. On second reading just plain sinister phrase Innocence is cheap especially, let it lie on cheap ? life not sacred for this voice. Effective especially I think for lack of political language, could it be that the most innocent seeming of articles, letters, copy has designs upon us. 'Divine' takes on a sinister light. Assured and disturbing voice from someone who you'd probably pass on the street and think nothing more than seemed a gentleman aka what was said about the Leeds bombers. The kind of disturbances that lead to collective paranoia aka heightened ethnic awareness on london tubes + leads to increase in suspicion and subsequent division, warring amongst ourselves. Good angle, tight piece.
9:20 pm
People practised in the art of seduction just like the snake.
9:29 pm
Thanks for your comments. The version I posted is the second draft, produced last night. The original draft, of the 17th, was vague - shorter, more ambiguous. Here it is:
'Standing on the sidelines. Seeking one from within the crowd. The one with the committment to make it happen. The one ready to make the sacrifices for that journey from naivete to reality. I tell them they're special, gifted and that I chose them. I encourage them to ignore, turn their backs on the doubters. They come under my wing; I protect them. I train them, helping them realise their potential. I lend them purpose. The results make me excited, hot and sweaty. Sometimes, it's explosive. Innocence is but a passing phase. Grooming is paramount.'
I had originally been thinking about the parallels in grooming cannon fodder for acts of terrorism, and the strategies used by paedophiles. God help me if my next piece is about Stockholm Syndrome.
9:55 pm
Wanting more.
6:02 pm
Hiya,
I commented on this twice only to discover that I was not signed in and my comments not showing up. (Classic moi, I'm afraid!) Anyway, I agree with the other comments - and I thought this well developed, began to suspect what was happening about mid-way (if memory serves me right) but did not know for certain until the very end. Chilling is the word.
8:13 pm
aha! There's my comment - I can see it!
8:13 pm
Ani,
Thks for your comments.
I unfortunately find this kind of stuff all too easy to write (even when in a very good mood). I wrote another short in a similar vein...I might post it later.
9:40 pm
Yes, you should.
9:59 pm
Hmmm, maybe. I think it might actually be a stinky pile of shite, which in some ways, makes it unique as a piece of literature that offends the olfactory senses on its way to acclaim (of sorts).
11:33 pm
I read 'stinky pink shit' you might like to run with that or on the other hand you might not especially if you have a predilection for pristine white trouser suits!
As for 'stinky pile of shite' you may mock your idea but you are evidently playful with it which shows confidence so why not post?
As for 'stinky pile of shite' (again) could be priceless just depends on situation, location, context. And in this vein something overheard on the train (not intending to rhyme) 'yes, lemons can be nice but not in all circumstances' aka Ouuuch! Aka art in relationship to circumstances.
It was a topic to challenge. You manoooverrred well (cannot spell that). Nothing to be concerned about surely if it comes easily to you?
6:44 pm
About draft of the 17th:
Interesting to read it. I think you did the right thing to change it to the one posted. You are dealing with two very complex mindsets (paedophile/ extremist) and I think each needs its own space in what is in effect such a small form, a small window.
I think each identity needs its own room to breathe and I think it was right to separate the two.
I find the piece of the 17th less convincing i.e. can you mesh these two identities or will that result in a dilution of both as you search for parallels? I think the focus on the one helps to get at that particular truth.
Perhaps a series of shorts in different voices, voices that interlink perhaps voices with a common theme as here both are extreme in their own ways. Perhaps presented as separate and then left for the reader to experience the way that they inter-mesh or link or react against each other.
Often a series of poems, short stories will work like this. I.e. the artistry I think is often in the spaces, in the pauses between the words, between each work and often in the way that the individual pieces are arranged.
But I am probably teaching grandad in silver slippers to suck ostrich eggs here and that could be pleasurable but I suspect not!
6:59 pm
Stockholm syndrome, I think any reader of this blog will have an idea of where you're going there. And I quote a recent conversation for you here: 'I was performing at a hen party. They were all dressed as school girls. I really get off on that. Oh, I know I shouldn't say that'. Shouldn't say that? Why not if it is true and it generally is I feel. Cases to point: witness to male friends salivating over Britney video; revival of the School Disco moment, just plain nostalgia?; the fascination (both genders) with precocious Lolita. Who knows, perhaps you will write about lakes or clear skies or zero pollution. Whatever.
7:14 pm
The 'stinky piece of shite'was posted on Thursday 4th August as 'Diplomacy by other means' (not a suitable title).
Yes, I do have a predilection for white trouser suits. Rather less so for skidmarks.
As for
'can you mesh these two identities or will that result in a dilution of both as you search for parallels?'
No, you can't. I regretted it as soon as I tried it.
I have been thinking of writing a series of shorts for the last few weeks. Initially, I was going to build it around the bombings in July, but I may focus 'Perspectives' on a wider area of life. It depends on what I decide to do with a monologue I had started writing for performance, entitled 'Before brown was fashionable'. I'll see where my silver slippers and zimmer frame lead me. Probably straight into a wall, then unconsciousness.
Me - write about clear lakes & zero pollution? Fuck no!
Lots of men like schoolgirls, teachers and librarians. I did however think the Britney video was a pile of bum dung (give me Hot Gossip anytime).
Thanks for commenting.
5:27 pm
OK so you're not going to write about clear lakes and zero pollution skies (that's a given) but do please think about your eco-footprints. I.e. As a nation we have become addicted to the long-weekend aviation hop but let's not overlook the detrimental costs of the aviation boom to the environment: let's try and holiday closer to home once in a while.
11:42 am
Yes, but lets first see if we can work closer to home (like the old days). Trouble with that is for many industries, a scale of economy is required (size) as well as supporting operations run by other businesses, giving us industry-specific hubs. Economics and the environment must co-exist - and they can, if enough will is given.
6:37 pm
The problem for me going on holiday anywhere is that there are always folk who break into a cold sweat when they see me with a bag.
Anywyay, I should be flying to Vienna tomorrow evening, unofficial strike action at BA's Heathrow operations permitting.
Have a lovely weekend, and thanks for commenting.
9:17 pm
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