This week’s Trifecta Writing Challenge is to use the word “cheap” as defined below in a story no more than 333 words.
a: of inferior quality or worth: tawdry, sleazy
b: contemptible because of lack of any fine, lofty, or redeeming qualities
The Slappening
“Ok, let’s just get this out of the way right off the top. Those hideous pants look tacky and cheap!” Vicky Van Gogh eyed Becky Lynn’s attire with her usual disdain and continued. “Please tell me those pants are an April fool’s joke or maybe we can only hope and pray that you’re going to a costume party dressed as trailer trash. Honestly, Becky Lynn, what am I going to do about you? You’re an embarrassing excuse for a little sister,” Vicky lit up a cigarette and emphatically shook out the match. “Embarrassing as all get out!”
Becky Lynn’s face glowed red. “I’m sorry . . . I thought they were kind of cute . . . but I’ll go change, Vicky, it’ll only take me a minute!” Becky Lynn flew up the staircase as fast as her legs would move in her tight yellow pants and returned moments later in lime-green Capri’s.
Vicky sucked on her Salem like a baby taking its first breath. “No!” She decreed.
Ok, I’ll be back in a sec,” Becky Lynn flew up the stairs again — returning this time in a burnt-orange, pencil skirt and breathlessly asked, “How’s this, Vicky?”
Vicky Van Gogh tucked her cigarette into the corner of her mouth and looked at her watch. “Well it will have to do, won’t it? Since we have to leave NOW! Stay a ways behind me, Becky Lynn; I don’t want people thinking we’re together.”
Suddenly the years of Vicky’s abuse rose up in Becky Lynn like a flash flood in the desert. She reached out and slapped her sister’s face so hard it sent Vicky’s Salem cigarette flying.
Vicky let out a startled yelp,”Ow!” Then stood there rubbing the side of her face.
“That’s for the way you treat me, Vicky Van Gogh!” Becky Lynn said angrily.
“That was a cheap shot!” Vicky whimpered.
But Becky Lynn didn’t answer. She threw open the front door and marched out. Her sister slinking behind.
Go Becky!
gotta wonder though, about how she’s defining abuse. Seriously, those outfits are terrible….
I thought the outfits sounded kind of hot.
Ha ha! Maybe they were and Vicky didn’t want the competition.
What? You don’t like orange pencil skirts?
Gotta go with Guapo here…. those outfits were worse abuse than the insults Vicky was throwing around… very clever, and spot-on use of the word…. good ‘un….
What? You don’t like lime green capri’s?
In a word, nope. My older sister was a teenager in the 1950′s and I distinctly remember getting a headache from looking at her lime green pedal pushers (as they were called then by the less avant garde (capris were the same pants, but classier name, at least they always looked the same to me) while trapped riding somewhere in the back seat of the car. So…. nope, I don’t like them at all…. bright orange minis have the same effect, too, especially when paired with knee high boots…. WHAT were they thinking when those were designed and thrust upon an unsuspecting male population?….
Ah Yes! Pedal Pushers. Nowdays a pedal pusher would probably be a drug dealer selling opium or some such!
Sorry about your headache. Hope it’s gone by now!
I like both, Linda. Like “you’re going to a costume party dressed as trailer trash” is right up my alley. But to each his/her own, I suppose.
I feel the same way. Going to a party dressed as trailer trash is officially going on my bucket list!
If I didn’t know better I’d say you took a snap shot of me fighting with my older sister. Pretty darn accurate and the story of my life!
YAY! Not that your sister and you are fighting but I’m glad I captured the snapshot! I don’t have any sisters. But I can imagine!
Thanks Lisa!
Hi,
Well done on Becky’s part, how dare anyone treat somebody like that, regardless of what you think of the outfits.
Well done on your part as well, brilliant, I didn’t know what to expect at the end, but the end was perfect.
Oh so glad you like it Mags!!
But we left the cigarette that Becky Lynn slapped out of Vicky Van Gogh’s mouth. I see it simmering hotly on the living room rug, and blazing up in a riot of flames to engulf and destroy Mama Van Gogh’s dated, tasteless and cheap furniture.
Ronnie
LOL Ronnie!!! Hahahaha! I may have to make next week’s challenge part two using your great idea! HA!
The Slappening is my new favorite word. You’re a great writer, Linda.
Oh my gosh! Josh! Thank you. You made my day!
You know, with a last name like Van Gogh you’d think she’d be into color and creativity
You would think, Carrie, wouldn’t you!
Sometimes I wish someone would give me a good “slappening” for my outfit choices. I only have myself to blame (and slap) when suddenly I realize l that I am in fact wearing jeans with bleach stains and a lace shirt that shows my bra.
I knew this was your comment just by what you were saying. You should see me when I get back from putting Joey’s mud on his legs. I look like I fell into a vat of brown paint. When Kirsitie, the lady who showed me how to do it did it she didn’t get one drop on her and it so neatly done. You and I have some sort of flailing syndrome!
Even after two decades of marriage, I am not qualified to comment on the outfit, but I do have one thing to offer.
A slappening sounds like a good way to deal with a bully be it famiy or not.
It would be pretty cool if you could do somthing like that in real life to bullies and get away with it!
Thanks for coming by Tim and taking the time to leave a comment.
Becky might be a candidate for “What Not To Wear”. They would probably insult her, but it could be fun to see if she would slap them, too!
Oh wouldn’t be fun! If you’re dressed wrong you get slapped. it would add more drama to the show! I’d watch!
Becky reminds me of myself. I love wearing funky colored outfits that no one else would be caught dead in. I’d love to go shopping in Becky’s closet
Good for you, Laciejay! You sound confident and creative! I bet Becky would let you borrow her clothes. But if you make her mad be ready to duck!
Vicky Van Gogh is SUCH a cool name for a character!! She should have more adventures!
A little constructive criticism gone way too far. Good story. It had sibling rivalry, bullying, and standing up for oneself. Well done.
Oh thank you Chris!
Speaking of cheap, I can’t believe you didn’t mention your favorite thrift store…
She sucked on her Salem like a baby taking its first breath… In all my career as a literary scholar, I don’t know that I’ve ever encountered a line as memorable as that– hats off!! : )
Mark, I’m typing this with one hand and slapping my forehead with the other (not really but I wish I had that skill). That’s so funny that I didn’t think of writing something about the thrift store . . .duh what was I (not) thinking? Haha!
Oh my gosh, Mark, thank you for that nice compliment! *aw shucks-ing* I love these writing challenges because I feel like they give me permission to throw caution to the wind — or throw the baby out with the bath water . . . whichever . . . I’m always up for both!
this makes me briefly feel sheepish about the times I’ve sent my own younger sister to change. But in all fairness, she once came downstairs in too-long capris (but too short to be pants) with white sports socks (that went up well past the hem of the pants) and ballet flats. And I avoid the nasty commentary, i think.
ah! Pedal pushers! Loooooooooooooooooooooove them. As for Becky–you go girl.
Ha ha! I guess Becky thought it was time for her sister to “talk to the hand.”
First, because I have to get it off my chest.. “kind of cute ”
“There’s nothing cute about it,” he said..
Now that that impulse has passed.
I loved how quickly the bully was torn down to her own level. I was cheering for Becky Lynn. Great names, too.
Haha! Thanks Jesterqueen. I thought Becky Lynn sounds like a real sweet girl. I actually had a different name but changed it to Becky Lynn when I saw how things ended up.
Thanks for linking up this week. I love, once again, how you work humor into every last detail. The names, the titles, the dialogue. Very nicely done. Love her slinking out behind her sister. Hope to see you back again soon.
Thank you! I’m totally hooked on these challenges! They are so much fun.