Saturday, January 8, 2011

Saturday Centus/Rotten Fruit



This is Saturday Centus . The prompt must be used word for word somewhere in the story on not more than 100 words.The prompt is highlighted. For complete rules see:http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com.

  This week the prompt is a picture Jenny posted instead of a written prompt.



                                                             Rotten Fruit
He looked out the window at the unexpected storm. Work had been everything, how he measured himself. Now, “early retirement” they’d said. At 60, there had been no options. Take their package or be downsized anyway. Forty two years of loyalty and they couldn’t retain him, couldn’t ride out these bad markets, cut somewhere else.




Rod looked out at the orange tree as flakes began to gather. The golden orbs wouldn’t make it in this weather, he thought. The skin would wither and flesh would be pithy and useless. “Like me,” he said aloud. “Just a piece of rotten fruit.”  

19 comments:

Koby said...

Ohhh my goodness how sad (and I believe many, men especailly, feel this way)... I enjoyed your take on this prompt very much.

Kat said...

What a different take on the prompt. Unfortunately, too many people (myself and my husband included) know this feeling all too well. Great job! Kat

Terra said...

Ouch, what a vibrantly painful story you have told here. So much imagery, emotion. Dang, I feel paled in comparison this morning!

gautami tripathy said...

This is painful situation. And so true.

destined destination

~Lissa said...

Aww great metaphor. It really pulls the heartstrings.

Susan Anderson said...

Timely. And aptly written.

This one rings true.

=)

Ames said...

How sad and yet it a great metaphor.Very good!~Ames

Unknown said...

I am amazed at the different ways that this prompt can be used. Your text is so sad, but so beautifully written. You have used the snow-covered orange as a metaphor for this bitter man. It should not snow where oranges grow! He should not be treated this way! And yet, this happens. Life can be cruel. And you have expressed this so well with you 100 words.

Great Centus!

Best wishes,
Anna
Anna's SC#36

Tgoette said...

Beautifully written but sad story that really captures the frustration and desperation some men are going through now. Brilliant!

Strummed Words said...

May there be better days ahead!

Unknown said...

Depression hits hard. I hope he eventually sees that he is no mere "rotton fruit".

Susan said...

That was good, Bookie. It was very realistic and true-to-life. Sometimes, getting the shaft at works turns out to be the best thing that ever happened! Susan

Dazee Dreamer said...

oh man. that was sad.

noexcuses said...

A real eye-opener. I'm creeping up on 60, but can't think of myself retiring! I think it is harder for men to deal with letting go.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Very nicely written - dramatic and realistic.
I skipped this prompt, but you really did it justice.
xoRobyn

Jo said...

oh ..... sad .... in these times so realistic ... i feel for him

Tina said...

I think his thoughts are echoed all over the country as this tanking economy continues to take its toll. But to connect it to this prompt, that was really creative! Nicely done.

Tina said...

awww the end was so sad 'like me'. nice different approach to the prompt. love those the best ;-)

Jenny said...

Oh no! So sad! Tell him to volunteer! Tell him he can work at Walmart as a greeter!

This was wonderfully poignant!

I really liked the direction you took this prompt.

Thanks for linking.