In honor of the 100th day for the #Freewrite group, the usual weekend prompt is a co-writing challenge!
I'm thrilled to say that I was chosen by my friend, @improv, to be his writing partner and the story below is just one of the two that we decided to create. Please visit @improv 's page to read the first of two stories that we decided to write here. If you ever get the opportunity to do this exercise with him, don't pass it up! He's incredibly fun to write with and even more enjoyable to talk with. Thank you @improv for such great time!
Jacob stretched as he walked outside. It was Saturday morning and it was time to mow the lawn. Walking down his steps, he saw the bright blue pants first. Shiny in the morning sun, the pants led up to a garish yellow shirt and bright fluffy red hair!
The neighborhood clown was lounging on Jacob’s lawn! Now, Jacob was no slouch himself when it came to clowning. He’d attended the Commedia dell'Arte school in Humboldt, California, and he knew his way around the tropes, but this clown, this birthday clown, was something else! This was Bonzo The Great and Giggly, as he liked to refer to himself.
Now, not a bad fellow, Bonzo had a penchant for overindulging on birthday cake and getting a little too friendly with the mommies. Each time someone had him perform for them, they ended up with a lawn clown for days.
Jacob sat down next to Bonzo. He nudged him gently. (Crisscross applesauce is, I should mention, how Jacob sat down. It’s the preferred method for clowns to sit, and Jacob is in-the-know). “Bonzo…”
Bonzo made no movements but the gentle nudging was receiving a low grunting noise. Leaning down, close to Bonzo’s ear, Jacob shouted: “Happy Birthday!”.
That sent the lawn clown up and rolling forward to attention. Rising up with his arms outstretched, Bonzo bowed to the street and then turned to bow to Jacob.
“I want you to give me the whole story, starting from whose mother led you to this sad state of affairs and ending with this sad state of affairs”, said Jacob.
“Bonzo never sad!” Insisted Bonzo in Tarzan talk.
“Pamela! I know you have an ongoing thing with her, on account of her running the shelter. Still though, why are you here instead of on their lawn?”
“Bonzo had to take a walk to practice!” The birthday clown stated, happy and proud!
“Practice what? You’ve not been doing any new shtick in the past 15 years.”
“Listen, Jacob, you need to know. I’ve decided to become the greatest clown since Ringling went out of business. I’m practicing… THE TIGHTROPE WITH NO ROPE.”
“..." Jacob stared for a moment, unable to believe what he was hearing. Then, the laughter started. Easy little giggles spreading up and then bubbling out. From there, Jacob had to lie down and roll, gasping for breath, while the spasms of hilarity kept him from talking.
“I’m serious, Jacob. I can do it. I know people think I’m nothing but a cakeaholic playboy, but I have ambition and drive.”
“Bonzo… Paul… You’re not good enough. That schtick hasn’t been done in 50 years, and “
Oh man, that’s the end!
(This made me so sad since I was having a great time clowning around with @improv!)
Thank you @omra-sky for my adorable squirrel separator!
Other Stories
