Flash Fiction Prompt:
The two “characters” should disagree about an issue or subject and their dialogue should have a subtext, an emotional truth that is operating on a deeper and perhaps hidden level.
He said: I thought you were going to the market today.
She said: Why do you say market instead of grocery store? Market sounds so pretentious.
He said: I like saying market. It differentiates itself from other stores. It just makes sense.
She said: What is more descriptive than grocery store? Besides, I did go. There is food in the freezer.
He said: I thought we’d have dinner tonight since you were going to buy food.
She said: You do a lot of thinking and not a lot of doing.
He said: I guess we’ll just go out then.
She said: Why do you always want to go out?
He said: I’m hungry. I want to eat. There’s no food prepared.
She said: So you think that’s my job?
He said: I don’t think anything. I just need to eat.
She said: There are frozen dinners right there. Turn on the oven and pop one in.
He said: I want fresh food. I thought that was what I’d find when I got home.
She said: So you think I have nothing better to do than fix food for you? I’d like a partner who saw to my every need.
He said: The fact is that I don’t have that. Like I said, I’m hungry and there is no food.
She said: Was there ever a time that you were happy with me?”
He said: I’m not unhappy. I just need to eat something.
She said: But life has changed since we moved here. You’re so independent now. As if you don’t really need me any more.
He said: I do need you. I need for you to buy food when you say you will. Or buy food that I can eat immediately after work. I am too hungry to wait an hour for a frozen dinner to cook. Plus, I think frozen dinners are tacky.
She said: You see. There it is! You’ve changed. You think you’re too sophisticated for frozen lasagna.
He said: Frozen lasagna? That sounds good. I’ll turn on the oven.
She said: No, let’s go out. That’s what you want. Go out and be seen by your new friends. Let’s go.
He said: I’m happy to eat lasagna here. How long will it take?
She said: An hour. So, let’s go out.
He said: No, I’ll just go turn on the oven.
She said: Fine, you do that. I’m going out.
He said: But why?
She said: Because this has stopped being fun.
He said: I’m just hungry.
She said: See you later.
He said: I could go with you.
She said: No, you stay here. I’m not even hungry. I think I’ll just go for a walk.
He said: I’ll be waiting.
She said: Just eat.
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