Coming Clean - short story
The man shook his hand. “David…David what? I always say never trust a man who won’t tell you his name.”
“David Lewiston,” David answered.
“Well, David, I am Alphonse Theroux. Nadine looks a little…hungry…wouldn’t you say?”
“How much?” David asked.
“Oh come now, let’s not be so crass. You just sit down there on that chair, me and Nadine will sort this all out.” David sat.
“Not this time, Alphonse,” Nadine said quietly, shakily. “We’ve got money.”
“You mean he’s got money, right honey?” Alphonse smiled at David.
“Not this time, Alphonse,” she said again.
“Now, that’s just too bad, cause I don’t think I’ve got anything to sell.”
David stood again, and said, “Look, we’ve got the money, just give us a gram.”
“Shut up, boy,” said Alphonse distractedly. His eyes were still on Nadine.
“Alphonse, please,” begged Nadine.
A smaller, younger man entered wearing slacks and a blue oxford shirt, and whispered something into Alphonse’s ear. Alphonse nodded, and the man walked out.
“Well, doesn’t the time just fly,” said Alphonse smiling.
“How much for a gram?” asked David.
“How much you got, boy?”
David hesitated, but Nadine said “Four hundred.” David clenched his jaw.
“It’s your lucky day, son,” said Alphonse. “Four hundred is what I’m selling a gram for today. Let’s see it.”
February 5th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Very nice. You captured the helplessness feeling quite well.
February 6th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Thanks, I like this version a lot better.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Nice story, bro. I thought it started a bit rough, but I was hooked only a few pages in. Good progression and char dev.
April 20th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Joe! This is FUN - didn’t know you had it in you!
Rock on. Hope to have you three out here soon…
Molly