“So what are we calling this writing group then?”
“Do we need a name?”
“Well I just thought – the last one had one, and the library group too.”
“Should we not just use our names? Like the group chat.”
“Could always use our surnames.”
“Hmmm. Taylor, Taylor and Shieber? Sounds like a firm of ambulance chasers. No thank you!”
“I thought the whole point of this was to reignite the writing spark, not to go into great detail about group names.”
“Yeah well…the spark doesn’t seem to want to spark for me. Maybe it’s doing it online? Lacking the connection or something.”
“You can’t do it online if you’re lacking a connection. That’s kind of the whole point of the internet isn’t it?”
“Haha! Don’t give up the day job will ya?”
“Seriously though, if we need the personal touch we can always move to Zoom, or Teams. Possibly Skype.”
“Can’t do personal touching anymore. Not since COVID.”
“Ha bloody ha! Right pair of comedians you two are!”
“Well. Since COVID, ya know? Take your joy where you find it, and all that jazz.”
“Oh good! We’ve strayed into the musical theatre portion of events. Whoopee!!”
“Look. I’m not wearing fishnets for anyone, and I draw the line at dancing with chairs. Bowler hats though. I love a bowler hat!”
“Argh! We’re getting absolutely nowhere here! Is this a writing group, or a comedy revue?”
“I think the question is, how is this going to work online?”
“Well it’s got to be easier than meeting up, doesn’t it?”
“Meeting up isn’t the problem. It’s coordinating three very different schedules.”
“Yeah. You’re right. Everyone’s so busy.”
“Not me. I refuse to leave the house unless it’s absolutely necessary. I like the interwebs personally.”
“It still leaves us with the problem of syncing up our calendars.”
“Aye. Not getting anywhere fast are we?”
“Hard to get anywhere at all when we’re all sat staring at a computer screen.”
“Speak for yourself. I’m using my phone. I’ve sorted the washing and I’m currently prepping the dinner.”
“No wonder your spark isn’t sparking. You’re using it to light the hob!”
“Ha! You’re right. I’m sick of it! I definitely need a hobby. Something like – ooh I dunno – just putting this out here – writing? Possibly?”
“Now who’s the comedian?”
“Well we seem to have gone off topic somewhat.”
“Ok. So let’s get back on it then! Where were we?”
“I dunno. To be honest I’m more than a tad lost off.”
“Last time I checked we seemed to be attending some sort of cabaret.”
“oh I thought we were done with all that! Put your cane down and behave!”
“Boooooo!”
“Alright. Alright! Let’s get on with it. Are we sticking with the online thing for now, or are we going to tentatively pencil something in for a face to face?”
“Doesn’t really matter does it? It’s the same problem. We’ve all got to be available at the same time for it to work.”
“Can we just try Zoom or something first? I’m not sure that I actually remember how to behave in public.”
“I’m not sure that I knew how in the first place. Though now you mention it, I’m not entirely sure that I can remember what either of you look like! I’d probably walk straight past you to be honest!”
“We could always agree to wear a red carnation and carry a copy of Woman’s Weekly I suppose.”
“Hahaha! Can you imagine the looks? God only knows what people would think of us…”
“I’m not entirely sure that I want to know what people think of me at the best of times, let alone if we make it look like we’re reenacting some low budget spy movie!”
“Oh my goodness! |Could we PLEASE just try to stay on topic? I’m getting old and grey over here!”
“Okay, okay calm down!”
“Wait. Why are you giggling? What’s so funny?”
“I can’t help it. I’ve got this literary earworm that’s trying to escape…”
“Literary earworm? What on earth are you talking about?”
“Well. You know when you get a song stuck in your head?”
“Uh huh. Like the last song you here on the radio before you get out of the car?”
“I guess so. Anyway. That’s generally called an earworm, right?”
“Right.”
“Well this one is a line from literature. So a literary earworm…”
“I guess.”
“It’s just that you were going on about going grey….”
“I am. This feels like it’s taking forever!”
“And you know when we first met I said I thought there was something of the coven about you?”
“Well I mean, you weren’t wrong.”
“And you now that we’re supposed to be trying to synchronize our schedules here? For future meeting purposes…”
“Oh no! Don’t you bloody dare!”
“I have to. It’s too perfect to be ignored!”
“Absolutely not!”
“It’s coming whether you like it or not…”
“Please don’t”
“Ahem…”
“Make her stop. Please!”
“Nah. I rather think that it’ll hasten things along. By the way, I’ve thought of a good name for the group, if anyone’s still interested.”
“You have? Go on then!”
“If we use our initials we can be Three Tired Scribes. “
“Ha! Brilliant!”
“Now all that remains is actually working out…”
*GROAN*
“Go on then! She’s not gonna be happy unless she says it…”
*ELDRITCH CACKLE*
“When shall we three meet again…?”
This piece is based on a word prompt of sorts, suggested by a friend. It roughly follows the imagined conversation of three writers who are trying to restart their pre COVID activities.
Thank you for the inspiration Madelaine. Here’s hoping that we don’t actually descend into this degree of chaos!
Scribblines 