Open Writing

'I've no idea what he was talking about,' the woman called Vera said.

'Well,' I said, 'it seemed perfectly clear to me.'

'Oh, did it? You must be the only one who . . . perhaps you could explain it to the rest of us?'

'Hm, I wouldn't want to upset Mr Sladge. He's the teacher, after all ... He won't be too pleased if I -'

'Oh, never mind old Sladge. He's failed to get the stuff across in language we can understand ... so why don't you have a try, eh?'

'Yeah, give it a go,' another woman said.

'Good night, everybody,' said Mr Sladge, 'see you next week'

'Good night, Mr Sladge,' we chorused.

'Now,' said Vera, 'this is your chance . . . Gather round, everybody ... we are now going to be told, in simple language, what it is that old Sladge has been going on about for the past hour.'

'No, stop.' The voice was familiar. We all turned.

'Oh, it's you, Stella,' said Vera. 'Don't you want to be told what old -'

'No, I don't - not by that hypocrite, anyway,' said Stella, pointing at me.

Everybody stared. 'Why,' said Vera, 'what's wrong with him?'

If you knew, you wouldn't believe a word he says.'

There were gasps and murmurs.

'Hey, steady on, Stella,' I said at last, 'you can't just go around saying things like that, you know.'

'Oh, can't I, Mr bank manager? Well, there's a lot more I could say if I -'

'No, not here,' said Vera. 'You can tell us in the pub. Come on, everybody.'

**

To read more of Richard's fast fiction please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/fast_fiction/