THE ROAR OF THE
GREASEPAINT
Lucy was just nineteen and ripe for plucking when the
actor stayed at her aunt’s boarding house. After a week of stories about his
glamorous world, she packed her bags and followed him.
But scrubbing greasepaint from his collars wasn’t glamorous,
and the thrill of being backstage soon wore thin. She wasn’t even good enough
at sewing to help the wardrobe mistress.
When she caught him kissing his leading lady, she got
a bus home and married the boy she’d left behind.
He was a much better father
to her child than the actor would ever have been.
..................................................................................................
In the midst of preparing for publication Landslide, the third book in my Living Rock series, I've taken a break to write this week's 100 words.
My first husband had just dipped his toe into the world of amateur dramatics when we met, and twenty years later the 'roar of the greasepaint, the smell of the crowd' tempted him to turn professional. I still remember scrubbing the collar of his one white shirt and drying it on a radiator overnight for the next performance!
Thanks to Dale Rogerson for her evocative photo, and to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers on her blog, https://rochellewisoff.com/
Adventure isn't all it's cracked up to be
ReplyDeleteNeither is romance!
DeleteI think she was right to give it a go, otherwise she'd have always wondered 'what if?'.
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
That's one way to look at it.🤗
DeleteGlad she married the better person.
ReplyDeleteThe glamour world isn't for everyone.
She was jealous. Looks like the actor had a relation with her.
From the last line, I guess the child was the actor's.
It was, but she found a good man prepared to accept it.
DeleteSometimes you have to learn the hard way... All's well that ends well!
ReplyDeleteShe should settle down now, I think.
DeleteIt clearly wasn't meant to be, but at least by trying, she wasn't left wondering what might have been.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine!
The glamour soon wore off.
DeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteShe was fortunate the boy back home still wanted her. Good story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Fortunate indeed.
DeleteIt's not for everyone, especially looking for love, but I have to say from my own experience, being backstage is a fascinating world to visit :-)
ReplyDeleteI spent twenty years backstage, some of it fascinating, some not!
DeleteIt was definitely an experience that opened her eyes to what love is. Phew.
ReplyDeleteGood short story--I love those. You wrote this well.
Thank you, Susan.
DeleteGood for her for making Lemonade out of some lemons ... :)
ReplyDeleteThat's an expression I haven't heard in a long time! Thanks.
DeleteArt imitates life, or is it the other way around? Good story, and congratulations on your new publication, Liz!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ms Lili
Delete(duplicate comment but wanted it with my WordPress handle)
ReplyDeleteArt imitates life, or is it the other way around? Good story, and congratulations on your new publication, Liz!
Ah - I recognise you now! I can't comment on Wordpress, I'm sorry.
Deletelucky her. glad she was able to go back home. :)
ReplyDeleteShe was lucky, I agree.
DeleteThe glamorous isn't what it seems. There is always a price to pay. Glad she picked the down to earth man.
ReplyDeleteShe was lucky it wasn't too Late.
DeleteThat's so many acres done in crisp tones. Will remember thos one🙂
ReplyDeleteThat's why we do this - to tell an entire story in 100 words. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteI'm glad she realised her mistake. Best to get this sort of thing out of the way early on :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't think she'll leave home again.
DeleteI think giving up on your dreams is a vise choice when the dreams turns out to be greasepaint.
ReplyDeleteAnd when your knight in shining armour turns dull and unsound.
ReplyDeleteLike with all life has to offer, follow your heart and find true happiness. Beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteGreat twist at the end, and you've pictured the lure of the "glamorous life" perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda.
DeleteMy first thought was the same as Rochelle's. Thank goodness for second chances.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness indeed! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteLucy seems to have a made a good decision.
ReplyDelete