Finally!

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

At last I manage to scrape together an idea before a challenge expires! Thanks to julad for speed beta and for womanfully resisting the temptation to insist that I add some actual content.



Getting the Message

by Resonant

Date: Tuesday
Time: 3p
Call from: Fraser
Davies is a marksman. Wear the glasses.
FV

-----

"Do you have your --"

"Yes, I got my glasses. I always got my glasses. I'm not stupid."

"I distinctly remember several times when you --"

"Fraser. I got the glasses, all right?"

-----

Date: Sunday
Time: 11a
Call from: Fraser
If you need him to, he'll come and do the Jarvis Liquors report.
FV

-----

"What, you think I can't do a report?"

"That isn't what I meant. I simply thought that, as you already had several weeks of paperwork on your --"

"Fraser. I am perfectly capable of doing a report, all right?"

-----

Date: Wednesday
Time: 2p
Call from: Fraser
Tony & Sandor's place closed for remodeling -- Ciardi's is good -- 492-0066
FV

-----

"Now you don't think I can even get my own dinner."

"I was trying to save you the --"

"I did manage to feed myself for a couple of decades before you came down and graced us with your presence, you know."

"Ray, I was only trying to --"

"Look, Fraser, I'm just sick of getting these messages like you think I'm some kind of incon -- incom -- moron."

"That isn't what I meant at all."

-----

Date: Friday
Time: 5p
Call from: Fraser
Carteret's U of C thing starts at 8. Remember it's FORMAL!!!!
FV

-----

"Oh. You look ... very ... very nice, Ray."

"What, you didn't think I could dress myself?"

"I don't believe I've ever seen you in evening dress before. You look very ... nice."

"Yeah, well, I *can* tie a tie, Fraser. Even a bow tie."

"Ah. Well, in point of fact, Ray, your tie is a trifle awry. If you could tug the left side down. *Left* side. Here, let me. ... Ah, if you could lift your chin just a hair -- like that -- I believe I can ..."

"Fraser?"

"Yes, I almost ... almost have it. Oh, ah, no, now it's going in the other direction ... perhaps if I ..."

"Fraser?"

"Just ... just a moment more, nearly ..."

"Fraser."

"Almost ... yes, Ray?"

"Fraser, is this ..."

"Yes. This is what I meant."

-end-

Comments

[lamardeuse.livejournal.com]

Oh, you tease, you wonderful tease.

I'm so happy to see you in Flashfiction!

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It's where all the cool people are.

[dsudis.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's very nice. I'm all like, grinning and having a weird T.S. Eliot moment, but mostly grinning.

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

having a weird T.S. Eliot moment

Hee! Wish I'd thought of that at the time; Ray could wear the bottoms of his trousers rolled.

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

Aww. Thanks!

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

Just loved this. Creative use of the telephone, and of telephone messages, the bane of my existence at work. (I could write you an epic about my secretary, but you all don't know him, so it would be moot. Sigh.)
"I did manage to feed myself for a couple of decades before you came down and graced us with your presence, you know."
Marvelous Ray line. The dialogue just sounds exactly right, and Fraser's messages -- perfection! Exceedingly happy to have you here.

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

Heh. I've been a secretary, so I've filled in more pink notes than humans should be allowed to have.

[halimede.livejournal.com]

You know what I really loved about this? Frannie. I could just *hear* her sigh as she summarised Fraser's calls. ;)
But, yeah. The rest was lovely too. :)

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

You know what I really loved about this? Frannie.

Hee! She wasn't in there much, but she was there in the multiple exclamation points.

[maubast.livejournal.com]

*squee* You're here! And this is great!

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[ardent-muses.livejournal.com]

Men are so cryptic. That's why we love th...well, actually, it's not a quality I really like in them. :) But it's funny to read about.

This was a clever idea. Like halimede, I was curious about Frannie. I'm kind of surprised she got the messages right. *G*

I couldn't be happier that you're posting here.

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

Hee! The traits we love in real men would cause us to eviscerate a real man with a grapefruit spoon.

[beledibabe.livejournal.com]

Y'see, the thing about you is the subtlety. Nothing smacking the reader over the head, nothing jiggling up-and-down in front of the Quickie Mart screaming 'Lookit me!'

Elegance of expression, a spareness of style that's damn difficult to achieve, and a dry wit that sneaks up on one...

I am not worthy.

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

Aww.

nothing jiggling up-and-down in front of the Quickie Mart screaming 'Lookit me!'

Now deeply tempted to save this and actually use it in a story.

[rubyrosered.livejournal.com]

Awwww. This is so great!

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[ajinamoto.livejournal.com]

I'll join in the choruses of Welcome to this little community. I've always enjoyed your writing!

This is a gem.

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[imkalena.livejournal.com]

"Yes. This is what I meant."

Happysigh. Good to see you!

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

You too. Nice icon!

[kassrachel.livejournal.com]

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful and yet again wonderful. Yay!

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

[beaming] Thanks!

[cesperanza.livejournal.com]

Oh, duuuuude!! Trust me to be away when you finally post! This rocks, res. I second whoever it was above who said that the grace note here is Frannie. What a wonderful piece this is. YAY, you finally made it!!!

[resonant8.livejournal.com]

Yeah, because I was looking for you to beta and complicate my life!