This is my story for Friday Fictioneers this week. It’s a weekly challenge to tell a story in 100 words that follows a picture prompt. It’s hosted by the gracious and talented Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week’s picture was supplied by Janet M. Webb. Thanks Janet.
Link: http://www.rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/14-february-2014
Eileen Parkin relaxed in her comfortable chair, munching on some soaked fruit (a habit she picked up before she became a famous star, and so was often hungry). She was being interviewed on the veranda of the La Ritz Hotel in Hollywood for Glitz magazine.
“Darling” (she even called her poodle darling), “you have no idea what a pain, absolute pain, it is to be famous and worshipped.” She then sipped her wine.
“As I said to my investment banker, ‘Rupert, darling, it’s such a pain to be worshipped.'”
The overworked, struggling interviewer bit her tongue and took a deep breath.
Musings on Life & Experience 
Nicely done.
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Thank you Sandra for reading my story and commenting on it. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Is this what I sound like, darling? Oh dear.
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Thank you for reading my story and commenting on it. Sorry about that. It didn’t cross my mind that I was copying anyone, honest. I would say you’re much more sincere and interested in others than my character. I myself find that I often call a young person “hon” without even thinking.
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No need to apologize, darling — it seems that that picture and glass of wine inspired more than one person to do their very best dilettante impression. I’m flattered.
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A nigh on flawless character sketch.
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Thank you for reading my story and commenting on it. I appreciate that you liked it. If it had been longer I could have added another layer to that character. I just hope I didn’t offend anyone.
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Ah.. that was a real painful darling.. so hard to be worshipped
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Thank you for reading my story and commenting on it Bjorn. The problem was, if she wasn’t worshipped, she’d find that worse.Good thing she didn’t notice how the interviewer was really feeling.
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A legend in her own mind. Good writing. Like the Page 6 reference.
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Thank you for reading my story and commenting. I appreciate it. I like that “A legend in her own mind.
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i liked Kim’s comment too “A legend in her own mind.” 🙂 wonderfully done.
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Thank you for reading my story and commenting, and I’m glad you liked it. I though that comment from Kim was very fitting for the character,and humorous.
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I guess it’s going to be a long interview. Nicely written.
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Thank you for reading my story and commenting. Unfortunately for the poor interviewer, I’m afraid it will be a long one.
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Oh! I rather feel bad about the interviewer and the interviewee as well. Well-crafted. An interesting take on the prompt. 🙂
-HA
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Thank you for reading my story and commenting. Yes we feel sorry for the interviewer, but as you’ve guessed from my mentioning her past hunger, our Hollywood star has had problems in her past that have left her insecure. She feels the need to keep seeking reassurance. She needs to be worshipped.
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Nice idea, good character!
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Thank you reading my story and your nice comment on it. I’m glad you liked it.
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Dear PRS,
Sounds like the lady is covering a lot of insecurity as those who boast often do. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle for reading my story, and your nice comment on it. Yes, she is covering a great deal of insecurity. Shalom to you also.
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Love the picture of a spoiled star with a very high opinion of herself. Poor interviewer!
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Thank you for reading and commenting on my story. I’m glad you liked it. An interviewer of stars must meet of lot of different kinds of people and probably has to be resilient. It must be part of the job.
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Ah,the hazards of a job at one end and the price one pays for being a celebrity,at the other ;-)A cool take on the prompt here Patricia-so many stereotypes in every society,no? 🙂
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Thank you for reading my story and commenting on it. I’m glad you liked it. I’ve read there’s a price to pay for celebrity. People who work for stardom must know that, but are driven by the perks of doing something they love and making money at it. My daughter’s an actor and wouldn’t give it up for anything. She’s finally, after some years, reached the point where she can make a living doing just that and not other jobs, like waiting tables, as well.
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Well,I think everything in life comes with a price tag -we never get anything without paying for it somehow-so w e must be sure if we can afford to or want to pay the price:-)Am glad your daughter has tasted success in her chosen field-may God bless her with more success and happiness in life,tc
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Thank you.
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🙂
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Oh, those impossible egos.
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Thank you for reading my story and commenting on it. Yes, sometimes they’re hiding insecurity and sometimes possibly not.
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Insecure or not, do you think Eileen Parkin would like to meet me?
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Possibly, but you’d have to get past her ego. Watch her poodle; he’s vicious.
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Did the interviewer take a deep breath then smack her in the face with the wine pitcher?
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Thank you for reading and commenting on my story. I don’t think she took that action. Although, she probably felt like it, and it would have made an interesting addition to the story.
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Oh, the vanity of the rich and famous. Nicely done.
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Thank you for reading and commenting on my story. I appreciate it. I guess they’re not all vain, but no doubt there are some.
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being worshipped can be a pain no doubt about it, I wish!! Well done.
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Thanks for reading my story and commenting on it. I appreciate it. I’m wishing right along with you, and no doubt many others.
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She could always become a recluse. She might be surprised by how quickly the world could forget she ever even existed.
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Thanks Russell for reading my story and commenting on it. She’s been poor, and I think she realizes that the fame can be fleeting, but she’s not going to let on. With this gal it’s all show. She doesn’t know when to quit acting; or maybe she’s afraid to quit. She’s become a caricature of herself. If I keep writing about her like this, I’m going to start believing she’s real, then I’m going to be the one with problems.
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Hi Patricia,
Yes, isn’t it just horrible, the plight of the rich, famous, spoiled elite? Very funny tongue in cheek writing. Ron
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Thank you for reading my story and commenting on it Ron. I appreciate your comment. I was actually trying for humor with that one. If it had been longer, it could have either stayed humorous or turned sad. Some readers seem to have taken it one way and some the other. Probably that was because I mentioned that she’d been poor. I’m just glad people seemed to have liked it.
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did this self-absorbed person ever think that she was the embodiment of pain herself? to the people she was dealing with, she could be a real pain in the #$@!
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Thank you for reading my story and for your comments. She was probably too busy wrapped up in herself and acting to notice, but I’m sure that’s the way the interviewer saw her.
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With all her prosperity, it looks like Eileen can’t shake the mantle of poverty–she’s still eating the soaked fruit that sustained her in her early years. She could at least pass that bit of advice on to the reporter, who sounds as if she could use any hints that might come her way. Good story.
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Thank you for reading my story and for your encouraging comments. You’re right. She’s been left with deep insecurities. She could pass on good advice, but at present she’s too involved with herself. When people are rich and famous I would guess there arn’t many people who are willing to tell them the truth so they can experience a reality check.
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Maybe her write-up in Glitz magazine won’t be so favorable – Look at her wrinkles – there has to be something negative about her. Good story! Thanks, Nan
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Thank you for reading my story, and for your encouragement. From the interviews of famous people I’ve read lately, it seems you never know how those interviews will end up. In today’s journalism it seems the ugly truths about famous people come out more often. Interviewers are thinking of their readers and ask all kinds of questions.
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-OH Shut up already! … Not you, PRS my lovely multipersonalitied friend but your character, of course!
If her pooch isN’t deaf, I hope it has a “psy” ( then again, I bet it does : Holywood oblige? ).
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Thank you for reading and commenting on my story. The interviewer would probably like to tell her the same thing, but then there’d be no interview. As for the poodle, he knows where his next bowl of food is coming from so probably just tunes her out.
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I love this darling story!
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I wouldn’t be surprised if darling Eileen takes a tumble off the veranda. A beautifully-drawn picture of a horror.
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Thank you for reading my story and commenting on it. You’re right. She probably has been drinking too much. She better stay comfortably seated until she gets assistance.
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I was thinking the poor put-upon journalist might become proactive when helping Eileen to her feet 😉
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Thank you for your interest in my story and your comment. That would be a possiblility if I were to lengthen the story. It could go several ways. Eileen is pitiful but maddening.
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My hearts goes out to poor Eileen, as she sits in her high-end hotel partaking of the very best money can buy. It must be really rough for her, poor dear 🙂
Very well written, a very believable character.
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Thank you for reading my story and your encouraging comment. I guess most of us would like to suffer in that way. I’ve commented on her so much I’m beginning to feel she’s real. I guess in a way a character is real to her or his creator.
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Your character has no shortage of love… for herself! LOL Very well written.
Blessings,
Cheryl
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Thank you for reading my story and for your encouraging comments, Cheryl. Yes. I’m afraid that my character hasn’t much room in her life at present for anyone other than herself. Sad, but true. Well, maybe a little for her poodle.
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That last sentence was absolutely perfect!
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Thank you for reading my story and your complementary remark about the ending. I reasoned that the interviewer would have some reaction to all that ego.
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Oh, she sounds awful, this actress. Poor reporter!
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Thank you for reading my story and commenting on it. Yes, she’s difinitely not a likable person.The reporter just has to remember it’s her job and put up with it.
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Maybe she could pay back with a less-than-flattering article!
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Thank you for reading my story and commenting on it. Well, if the magazine is more interested in pleasing it’s readers and giving them the truth, the questions asked by the reporter may be unflattering and the article the same.
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Good for you for writing an insufferable character. I loved the soaked fruit showing that she came from so little. A wonderful story, as always.
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Thank you for reading my story and commenting on it. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ve commented on that woman so often I feel almost as though she’s real. She seems to be taking on a life of her own.
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love the scene you created…having two opposing thoughts. nicely done.
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Thanks for reading my story and commenting. I appreciate it. I’m glad you liked the story. I just felt that the thoughts of the interviewer gave more depth to the scene. I felt she just had to react to the other character’s outrageous behavior.
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