Tuesday, February 22, 2011

FRESH BLOOD - Saturday Centus on Tuesday

After a busy extended weekend, it's back to writing.

Over on Jenny Matlock's blog, she posted her Saturday Centus challenge. Participants are to use the words "I'd catch a grenade for ya" and write a story of no more than 100 words (not counting the prompt).

If you don't recognize these words, they're part of the lyrics from a popular Bruno Mars song.

Here's my attempt.

FRESH BLOOD

Digging through a dumpster, Rudy’s stomach growled.

Heck of a way to celebrate his eighteenth birthday. Parents killed last summer by a drunk driver, Rudy ran away rather than live in foster care.


Humming a Bruno Mars song, he read an ad while nibbling a half-eaten pizza.

“HELP WANTED. Free: Housing. Meals. Training.”


After memorizing the address he cleaned up in a gas station restroom.


Later that day, the man in green asked, “How badly you want to join us?”


Remembering the song, Rudy answered, “I’d catch a grenade for ya.”


The Army recruiter extended a hand. “You’re just what we’re looking for.”

15 comments:

  1. Good one, Donna! Nice way to work in an odd sort of line. :)

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  2. Perfect! Great use of prompt with positive attitude.

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  3. Wow, you should send that in, sure would make a great commercial :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  4. It's sad and happy at the same time. That's why I really like this.
    xoRobyn

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  5. Donna, I really love this. You've managed to create a sympathetic, and very clever, character that we care about in 100 words. Bravo! Kat

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  6. Hi Nona, Madeline and Claudia,
    Thanks.

    Hi Jules,
    Thanks. A commercial would be nice.

    Hi Rawknrobyn,
    Thanks for your kind words.

    Hi Kat, Mary, and Clara,
    Thanks, ladies.

    Donna

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  7. Now that's what I call pulling one's self by the proverbial bootstraps! This is well written and moves along nicely. Great centus!

    Namaste..........cj

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  8. A powerful piece with a truly unique perspective. So glad I remembered to come back and read the folks I missed earlier in the week!

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  9. Wow. What a great direction to take this prompt.

    It's funny how this seemed like so much more than 100 words. What a story you told here!

    Loved it.

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