When Art Imitates Life

June 11th, 2014

(a slight variation of this can be found, written by me, at www.writersdigest.com, under writing prompts. I like this version better :) )

“What a stupid prompt,” Jessie muttered as she left Professor Mundane’s classroom. “I’m above this type of drivel.” Her tirade cut short by the disapproving stares of her classmates, Jessie lowered her head and made for the closest bathroom. Laden with her books and laptop, Jessie had to lineback her way through the hydraulic door. Once ensconced, she sighed in relief.

“I hate this course, I hate this school, I hate my professor, and I hate this bathroom!” Hearing her voice echo off the utilitarian tile walls gave further impetus to her almost nuclear meltdown. “All I want to do is write poetry. Great poetry. Nobel prize-winning poetry! But NOOOOO. I have to get a degree before anyone’ll take my writing seriously.”

Throwing herself into the handicap stall, Jessie dumped her armful in a corner and paced furiously around the cramped space. “I should have done further research on the curriculum approved for Journalism students. This is a top ten school, for God’s sake! Maybe that’s the problem, Jess. You should have chosen that artsy school in northeastern Pennsylvania. THEY would never even consider plaguing their student body with such nonsense.”

Jessie knocked one knee into the toilet porcelain. “Why me? Why me?” she shrieked in annoyed pain. Sensing her adrenaline fueled rampage coming to a fast end, Jessie slumped her forehead against the cool metal door. “It’s all right,” she cooed to the floor. “It’s all right. I can do this. I can make something out of nothing. I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again. I’ll show them. No one is going to break Jessie Prima.”

Jessie stood up straight, tugging her rustled clothing in place. Patting her cheeks and forcing a smile, Jessie grabbed her gear. “I’ll show them,” Jessie boasted as she confidently released the latch on the stall. The door swung open, and Jessie stopped dead. Directly in her path were two very large males, grinning from ear to ear.

Looking up at no one, Jessie wailed “You’ve got to be kidding me.”