I brushed a few crumbs from the sweatshirt I had picked up from the clearance rack. My grilled cheese and sweet potato fries had long ago turned cold. My chocolate milk was finished, save for a few drops of liquid at the bottom of the glass. It was time to get to business.
So, the story needs…something. I gestured with my straw.
You think I haven’t noticed? It’s bordering on dime-store novel.
Thanks, that’s helpful.
I was thinking it needs a murder. Every good story has a murder in it. If not a murder, then the threat of murder.
You know something? You’ve got a real problem with morbidity. Maybe it needs a happy ending. Something inspiring.
You know what’s inspiring? A big musical number that leads up to a murder. Classic! Oh, you can never go wrong with a classic!
Classic? I asked, my patience growing thin and my sarcasm growing.
Murder provides a quick end to an otherwise ongoing story.
Well, in that case… I fingered the knife beside my plate. I vowed that I wouldn’t miss.