Fast Fiction: What's What
Even if you are not given a job you may find out what’s what, as Richard Mallinson’s story reveals.
For more of Richard’s fast fiction please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/fast_fiction/
'Aria? It's a strange name. Where does it come from?'
'I'm sorry, Mr Tumplate, but what's wrong with my name?'
'Nothing's wrong with it, lassie. I just think it's, er, unusual and I wondered if it was an old Cornish name or -'
'Why should it be an old Cornish name? I'm from Exmouth and Exmouth's in Devon, not Cornwall.'
'Ha, ha, sorry about that. . . And what do you get up to in Exmouth?'
'Well, apart from work, not much . . . that's why I want this job in London.'
'Och, hankering after the bright lights, eh?'
'Hankering? I'm not sure that - '
'Hankering, craving, it's all the same to me, lassie.'
'Well, I wouldn't say that I was actually craving ... I just want to get away from Exmouth, that's all.'
'All? So it could be any old job, then, could it? ... So long as it gets you out of bloody boring old Exmouth, eh?'
'Well, no, not really. It has to be a newspaper job, obviously - that's why I've applied to the Daily Blare . . . You've seen my cuttings, haven't you. . . ?'
*
'Right, Aria, I think we've talked enough for me to be able to. .. Och, now, before you go, I'd like you to meet one of our top reporters - he's called Rick Frankly and he knows what's what about this trade, believe me, he really does.'
'Oh, may I ask a question first, Mr Turnplate? . . . Will I get the job?'
'Well, erm, no, lassie, I'm afraid not... I think you're just a wee bit out of your depth ... but Rick'll teach you a thing or two, believe me. Aye, believe me.'
