In this series, I will take the Word of the Day from Dictionary.com and craft a short piece of creative writing around it. My goal is to embrace the meaning of the word in some unique way, all the while trying out different styles, rhythms and characterizations. It is as much an exercise in creativity as it is an exploration of grammar. Enjoy!
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By Alex Seise
Alice B. Walthom looked down at the Tony the Tiger outfit that straddled her middle-aged form, and as she sighed, her dangling diamond earrings jingled. It was as if the jewels were laughing at her recent twist of sour fortune.
But self-pity aside, at least dressing as a mascot was a remunerative activity. She couldn’t quite say the same for sucking the gin out of cocktail onions on her dowdy old violet chaise back home, her usual Thursday afternoon past-time.
“For the nickels, for the dimes,” she whispered as she slipped the orange- and black-striped costume head over her own bejeweled face. “For the dollars. Dear God, for the dollars.”
This is (just) gr-rrrr-eat, she added silently, sullenly.
