Heels

Assigment to write a brief dialoague exchange between two characters. Originally published May 2023.

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"I love these earrings, you know. They match so well with my dress." the lady gushed, admiring herself in the mirror.

"I'm sure they do honey. What time are you and Anna leaving?"

The lady looks back at her husband, "Still 6.15."

"Oh that's great honey." the man replies, not looking back up at her.

"What are you writing anyway?"

"Nothin'." he mutters, eyes fixated on his lap.

The lady finishes putting her earrings in and looms over his notebook. "Stop writing that down!"

"But I have to."

"What for?"

"Inspiration."

The lady sighs, "I can't wait for the day you treat me like your actual wife. Anyway, put down your pencil for once and help me zip up."

"Sure..."

Looking down at her polished toe nails the lady asks the gent what heels she should wear. He likes the mustard stiletto's.

"And look like a fashion disaster? How long have you known me for?"

"Long enough." he sighs. "Was just a suggestion. Turn back around so I can continue zipping."

"Fine. But I'm not wearing them. Or any kind of stiletto anyway. My feet'll be sore before the night even begins. I need something to match this dress. Something dark but elegant..."

The wedge heels were his next suggestion. They weren't elegant enough.

"Isn't elegant?"

"No. It's wood. Far from elegant. Thank you dear." The lady went and opened her shoe closet.

"It's all the same to me."

"I know dear."

The man sat back down on the bed pouring over his writing. There were tons of pairs of shoes he'd never seen before and never will.

"Why don't you get those?" he pointed his pencil at a dark pair of heels he'd seen from the corner of his eyes.

"Do you really think I can travel with those? I'd stumble and make a fool of myself!"

"Then wear them when- wait, how are you travelling?"

"Still the tube dear. And some walking."

"Then wear sneakers on the tube. Or sit down."

"Dear the tube's all tight and cramped. I wouldn't want to chase those paupers off their seats.

" 'Course not hon."

She looks back at him again. His eyes don't meet hers.

"Think I might borrow a pair from Anna. She's told me she has these nice kitty heels anyways."

The gent hums in agreement.

"You're not registering me are you?"

"That's nice hon."

"Yes, well, anyway..."

She stares at her closet and thinks for a moment.

"Would you stop writing down everything I say‽"

He mumbles something intelligible.

One of her heels makes forceful contact with the gent's head.

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This was a practice to see how much you can tell and learn about a character with mere dialogue.