Hello, everyone. My name is Thomas Pluck, but you can call me Tommy Salami, just not late for dinner. Especially if you’re serving salami. I’ve been invited as the 3rd week moderator by Ron, and I’m very grateful. This community has helped me become a better writer, and it’s time to give a little back.
I like writing about characters on the boundaries of society. The people in the corners of our eyes, who we see through like litter on the street, plastic bags in the trees, and corruption in our daily lives. They have walked away from Omelas, as in Ursula K. LeGuin’s classic story. They have their own reasons. Some are predatory criminals, some insane, others simply want nothing to do with everything we take for granted and accept as the rodent wheel of life, born into it running and knowing nothing different.
I sneaked a photograph of an old man on the NYC subway last week. He sported a long beard, a Navy t-shirt and baggy pants. He carried nothing, and didn’t reek of the human condition, so I doubt he was homeless. But he had the look. For all I know, the man in this picture is a college professor, or Pete Seeger on a bender. But he can be whatever you want him to be.
Write what the photo inspires in you. A woman has turned his back on him. A smart-ass has just taken his photo surreptitiously. Is he homeless, is he in disguise? Is this photo the only remnant his wife, son, brother or pet anteater have of him? Is he JD Salinger? Who knows. That’s up to you. I’ve read and joined in for a few months now, and I know you know what to do. So go do that voodoo that you do so well, and we’ll see what happens on Thursday.
Prompt: Use the photo for inspiration.
Genre: Open
Word Count: 1000 words
Deadline: Thursday, July 21, 2011, 8:30 pm EST
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology (Kindle)
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