OBJECTIVE Though new to the working world, Melanie Blackwell is confident she exemplifies the qualities necessary to thrive as a personal secretary. Typing and organizing come as naturally to her as eating and sleeping come to others, and she has always envisioned herself working in an office, answering phones in a courteous and efficient manner.… Continue reading New (The Fetishists – Secretary)
Category: The Fetishists
A collection of short pieces about the things most dear to us, and how we hate them.
Compliment (The Fetishists – BBW)
Shortly after Valerie hit thirty, some of her friends started making playful jokes about her body. “Who’s the father?” was a favorite, and the least subtle. Her friends were terrible and she hated them, but she could not deny the motivational merit of their abuse. She started going to the gym, and even after the… Continue reading Compliment (The Fetishists – BBW)
Noble Savage (butts)
To be an intellectual, one needs to focus her attention. What separates the intellectual from your ordinary smart person is a passion for something specific, whether it be 17th century architecture or the mating habits of guinea pigs. Ellen was an intellectual. She had studied for a decade and a half and nearly memorized not… Continue reading Noble Savage (butts)
Ogre (masochism)
Though the caravan was lined with lights in all manner of color and size, they did little to clarify the evening. Glorn could not see far, and he could not hold his hand over his eyes to find the balance between glare and dim. His hands were secured over his head. He could break the… Continue reading Ogre (masochism)
Sabbatical (balloons)
Most of the other parents dropped off their kids and left, but Harold was determined to be fun. After ten years in a company that offered no satisfaction, he had taken time off to meet his 7-year-old for the first time. Josie’s parents were good hosts, and they wanted him to feel welcome, though he… Continue reading Sabbatical (balloons)
Telekinesis (breasts)
When Lana gave her talks to two or three people instead of a dozen or more, she stammered. Large groups were a blur, and she could monologue about art and artifacts without interrupting herself. In smaller groups, she saw their faces. The man was leering, the woman was staring, and their eyes made her shoulders… Continue reading Telekinesis (breasts)
Sketchbook (tattoo)
Jolie wore long sleeves. Everyone would laugh if they knew she’d been working on a dragon. So far, it was just an outline. She was polishing windows when a woman in the waiting area asked her what was underneath her shirt. “Nothing,” she said. She tried to affect a blasé attitude. The woman smiled. “Let… Continue reading Sketchbook (tattoo)
Relief (nurse)
Tammy took a few deep breaths before she entered room 403. “Good evening, Mr. Cartwright,” she said business-like, as polite as she could manage given the inevitable response. “Go fuck yourself, you fat cow. I’m in pain, give me morphine.” She was sure he wasn’t in as much pain as he should have been. According… Continue reading Relief (nurse)
Cheater
Through the dark, Gerard massaged the air around his wife’s body until he found her. She was motionless, almost unaware of him, until his hand landed gently against her skin. The sensation took her by surprise, and she twitched, but his other hand brushed against her hair and smoothed her down. He could tell she… Continue reading Cheater
Hetero
She poured the last several sips of wine down her throat and stared at the ceiling. The gentleman seemed nice enough in his well-fitting suit, but he didn’t seem to like her. His smile was plastic and conciliatory. Desiree hadn’t been out in a while, certainly not on what one would call a date. She… Continue reading Hetero
Post Modern Existential Horror 