Welcome to the Fifteen Minute Novel. Each morning I spend fifteen minutes writing on a singular story line. Each morning starts with the last line of the previous day. The goal is to get a (very) rough draft out of the simple story idea and to avoid letting the story idea languish in limbo forever, actually writing it out. This is the third year I have done this writing experiment and each year I learn just a little bit about myself and the way I write as well as creating a framework for the story. But without further ado…
Day 46: They slowly calmed and a quiet expectation filled the room.
They slowly calmed and a quiet expectation filled the room. “And now,” the host said, his voice filled with eagerness. “Here his is, our third contestant, the man, they myth, the legend, it is Toby W…”
Again the crowd went wild as Toby walked onto the stage. He waved to the audience and they whooped in the darkness, clearly approving of his arrival. Toby took his place at his podium and didn’t really pay any attention to either Gwen or Lisa.
The host quieted the crowd and turned towards them to begin the game. “Are we ready to play?”
“We sure are Bob,” both Toby and Lisa chorused.
“Okay then,” Bob said. Gwen stared at him as he shifted and his plastic hair seemed to slide just slightly out of place. “We tossed a coin back stage earlier and Toby won the first coin toss so he will go first. Our first question of the night, what was Gwen studying in her night classes for the past year two years?”
“Oh that’s a tough one,” Toby said. He frowned in concentration. “I know it had to do with languages,” he said. “English maybe…No Spanish.. She was studying Spanish. Ole,” He said, clearly pleased with himself.
Gwen frowned. He knew she was taking accountancy classes. They discussed how her taking the classes would at least let her help him out with the book keeping for the business. She talked about the classes and the work often. How could he not know? The buzzer sounded.
“I’m spry Toby but that is incorrect, don’t worry champ it is only the first round, there is plenty of time to catch up.” Bob moved down the line as a negative fife points appeared on Toby’s screen. “Now Lisa, for five points, you have the opportunity to answer. What was Gwen studying in her night classes?”
Lisa smiled to Bob and the audience beyond. “That’s easy,” Lisa said. “She was studying French. Everyone knows that.” She shot Toby a victorious look, even as Gwen’s frown deepened.
The buzzer sounded and a negative five appeared on her screen. “I am so sorry, but that is incorrect.”
Gwen thought he would come to her next, but instead Bob walked back to Toby and flipped his cards over. “Okay, are you ready to go again?” He said.
Toby nodded enthusiastically and looked as though he was concentrating. This question was about her favorite foods. Again Toby got it wrong as did Lisa. Gwen wondered if now would be when she would be asked a question, but instead Bob once again circled back to Toby.
Ten til Midnight 