Saturday, September 4, 2010

Saturday Centus: Scarlett Fever

Jenny Matlock

I am joining Jenny Matlock and gang for her Saturday Centus. Each week we are given a prompt, a phrase in which to design a story or poem around. We are limited to 100 words, not counting the prompt. The prompt is in bold in the story below. Enjoy.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a dark and stormy night within the depths of her very soul; that night she had to say goodbye to Scarlett.  Scarlett was no ordinary friend. Scarlett could work miracles... she could mask pain and make her forget her past. Scarlett could make her feel brave and confident when, in reality, she was frightened and insecure. She was dependant upon her which encouraged Scarlett's increasing selfishness and control.  There could be no friends nor gods before her. Scarlett insinuated herself into every situation and opportunity that came up. She began to hate Scarlett and her dependence upon her. Scarlett was a very toxic friend indeed.  

28 comments:

Cheryl said...

Wow! You and Jeff really took this to a whole new level this week. Great piece.

Bookie said...

Wow, you really changed Scarlett in only a few lines. You know, this paragraph made me think of AA( not that I have personal experience)...how the drink can be a fried at first, then do you in. Did you have alcohol in mind when you wrote this, I wonder?

jeff campbell said...

Pretty crafty...at the same time complete yet begging for more insight...Peace

S. Susan Deborah said...

I liked the way you used the prompt for the brewing of an internal storm. Where does Scarlett live, by the way?

Joy always,
Susan

Viki said...

I loved this take on the prompt. You went in a really interesting direction with this. Something in the future, I hope we will hear more about. Good job.

jfb57 said...

Crumbs! She got her hands full what with the storm & Scarlett! Great post!

Terra said...

I was wondering schizophrenia for a bit here...this was quite thought provoking!! Well done!

Brian Miller said...

shivers...scarlett sounds a wee bit scary....

Tina said...

I've met Scarlett. And it was very hard to extricate myself. But from what I've been reading from you lately, I think you're well on your way to getting rid of her. Or perhaps I'm just seeing things ;-)

Koby said...

Yessssss, I've met Scarlett too, and frankly she scared the crap outta me. I really enjoyed this.

Jenners said...

Yikes!!! What a lot in just 100 words. I've known people like Scarlett (unfortunately). It is best to weed them out of your life as soon as you recognize them!

Susan Anderson said...

Sheesh. I was thinking multiple personality disorder there...

Nice!

=)

Joanna Jenkins said...

Whoa! Nice job Polly.
Happy weekend, jj

Weezer said...

Good riddence, Scarlett. Leave my friend along.
Weezer

Jenny said...

Sometimes the Scarlett's in our lives are difficult to ditch. All we can do is our best...and eventually they'll give up and go away!

Deep and compelling use of the prompt here Polly.

Thank you for linking.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Holy Cow! Polly, this was the freshest take I've seen this week! I've known a Scarlett or two in my lifetime.

Mike said...

There are a lot of Scarletts in this world!

Betty Manousos said...

Well done, Polly!
Such a thought- provoking post!

Happy Sunday!
B xx

Nessa said...

Wine sure can be a selfish b*&^h.

Liz Mays said...

Be gone, Scarlett!

Kaelin said...

great direction on the prompt - don't like the "Scarletts" in my life!

Tgoette said...

Wow, that was really good! Such a different angle than one might expect! Nicely done!

Unknown said...

My goodness! You can really bring out the doom and gloom. For what it's worth, I've add another 100 word to my --compared to yours-- light-hearted post!
Best wishes,
Anna

Anna's SC #18 - 100 more words!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Wow..I've met Scarlett many times in my life too..but learn to drop toxic people out of my life..

Great one, Polly!

Malisa said...

Controlling friends are often hard to recognize. Their grip on the soul is strong. Bye, bye, Scarlett! Good riddance!

I just posted two assignments in one post. I'm bad, but please come visit me anyway!

Malisa

Kat said...

Very original direction to take the prompt. Toxic "friends" need to be banished, but they do sing a siren song, don't they?

RockiBottom said...

Very dark, I really like it! I can't help but think Scarlet is a 2nd personality rather than another person. ???

~Lissa said...

Wow, I really love what you did with this prompt. Setting the "dark and stormy night" in her soul was brilliant. And I love Scarlet's name and her ambiguous identity. Like Bookie, I thought maybe she represented drugs or some other bad habit, but I could see her being a lot of things. Excellent Job!

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