Conversation – “Turn up at the page”

(Direct speech)

A: “Have you completed writing that piece yet?”

B: “Not quite. I’m putting the finishing touches to it right now.”

A: “You should have done it ages ago. I’ve been so worried, what with that and all the other things you are supposed to be doing for me.”

B: “Just relax and let me get on with it. You know I told you that I wrote something on the first day. It’s in the folder. That would have done at a push. There has never been anything to worry about.”

A: “But you never seem to treat these assignments with the seriousness they deserve, and you’re always putting things off until the last moment.”

B: “You know that’s not true. This isn’t the last moment, and I’m certainly not rushing to complete it. It’s flowing easily from the pen, or at least from the keyboard keys.”

A: “There you go again! You’re dismissing me, not taking things seriously enough. How do you expect to write something good if you don’t agonise over it and spend ages editing it and polishing it?”

B: “But you know that’s the point, don’t you see? I’m good at editing things. I’ve been doing it for years. English grammar (of a kind) comes naturally to me. What I struggle to do is produce something which flows, has a little dynamism, a little ‘punch’. The easiest way for me to produce that is to imagine the characters and listen to them talking, which is what I’m doing right now.”

A: “I’m so cross! You know you are just using me! You’re taking advantage of me!”

B: “Yes. I suppose I am, in a way. Look, I’m grateful for your contribution. You provide the drive and the editorial input. There it is – finished! You can edit to your hearts content now. Satisfied?”

A/B: Silence…

 (24th October 2016 - 307 words)