The Cloudy Flashback

The Eight Sentences:

“You remember what I told you about sunsets, don’t you?” Lillie had asked.

“Yes, ma’am, I do, I’ll never forget it,” Claudia replied.

“Well, Dr. Thibaut’s passing was one with a beautiful clear sunset. No clouds to be seen, but a beautiful afterglow.” 

Lillie put her coffee cup on the table, raised her glasses and wiped her eyes with the ever-present white lace handkerchief. 

Claudia thought a moment and at the risk of sounding like a challenge, pressed ahead with her question, “Do you think that people can have a cloudy life — one that would have beautiful clouds at sunset, but, aaah, still have had troubles?”

“Honey, no life goes by without problems. We all have our clouds, remember that man in Lil’ Abner?”

                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                   Image credit: deniskitchen.com

The Back Story:

  After the death of her masters supervisor, Claudia visits an old friend in Baton Rouge, Dr. Thibaut's housekeeper, Miss Lil. In this conversation, they talk about analogies, sunsets and clouds.

  Many readers, especially baby boomers, will remember the Lil Abner cartoon strip. Joe Btfsplk was a character that featured an ever-present dark cloud over his head symbolizing bad luck. 

What now?

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Glen or Glenda, Victor/Victoria Flashback

The Eight Sentences:

         Claudia entered a public restroom on the main floor near the ballroom where the breakfast meeting would occur. No one saw her exit. In one of the stalls, she changed from her business suit which consisted of a blouse, skirt and jacket into dark slacks and a white button down men’s oxford shirt. She removed the brunette wig and shook her head letting her fresh cut hairstyle fall into place. Next the makeup was removed with cold cream to reveal her Gulf Coast tan. Her skin was smooth and clear and would pass for the fresh-shaved face of a man. She packed the clothes she had worn coming in and stepped out into the hallway. Claudia Barry disappeared into the crowd. 

The Back Story:

The next morning was the beginning of a personal challenge. She had two self-assignments. First, she wanted to infiltrate the wait staff of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and for at least a few hours, become one of them — as a male. It was important for her thesis to show, how using deception, timing, and disguise, she could move in close to important people in spite of security. Second, her next goal would be to disappear from the premises undetected. Her effective use of group dynamics would be put to the test. She’d have to rely on an unplanned diversion to occur — unless she could come up with something on the spur of the minute.

What now?

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The inspiration:

     This scene from the movie, Victor Victoria made a memorable impression. When it came time for a scene in which Claudia Barry would pull off an amazinge deception, the idea of Julie Andrews portraying a man was a great inspiration. 
     Fast forward to the 4:45 mark in this scene (unless you'd like to enjoy the entire production number):

This just in...

     Friday night, 10-18, I saw this story on Yahoo:
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/lady-looks-like-a-dude--female-model-goes-male-to-get-more-jobs-171123533.html

Faculty Club Flashback

The Eight Sentences:

 “I’ve been experimenting with some of your suggestions -- you told me several months ago about the seating arrangements. Ever since, I always make sure my wife is seated to my right when we’re discussing certain things.”  

“When I saw the two of you at the Faculty Club last week, her body language told me that it wasn’t working,” Claudia smiled.

“Of course, I didn’t see you.” 

“Yes, you did -- I waited on you.”

He was surprised, “What?”

I told you I wanted to include a section in my paper about disguises. Well, it worked, didn’t it?”

LSU's Faculty Club - a popular restaurant for faculty
as well as the general public.

The Back Story:

Never one to flout her talents, Claudia became a self-styled recluse in junior college, and none of her Columbia, Missouri, high school friends ever knew that she had graduated from the University of Arkansas with a major in sociology and earned a master’s degree at LSU in group dynamics. Disassociation from any childhood or teen acquaintances had become her first disappearing act. 

This snippett continues the series of flashbacks and features a conversation with her masters advisor. 

He speaks first.

What next?

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Ascension Sunday in Pirate's Alley

The Eight Sentences:

It was Ascension Sunday and he had attended the evening mass at the St. Louis Cathedral alone. As he left the service, a young man called out to him, "Mr. Duplessis, please help me."

The kindly older gentleman found it hard to resist a personal call for help so he stepped eagerly into Pirate's Alley to offer his assistance to the young man in need. Perhaps he was feeling benevolent upon leaving the religious service.

They walked arm in arm several paces into the alley then the young man turned to his companion and said, "This is for Barry -- Clarence Barry, remember him?"

Her disguise and make-shift silencer worked to perfection. The immoral cop and corrupt politician crumpled into a heap in the darkness of the alley. 

Claudia disappeared into the night and reemerged a few blocks over on Toulouse Street.

St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans fronted
by Jackson Square in the French Quarter
Image credit, Wikicommons

The Back Story:

Claudia Barry's first kill.

She avenges the death of her own father at the hands of a dirty cop.

Is she a hero -- or a psycopath?

She uses her skills at disquise to hide from her victims and herself.

Her reaction to his experience can be found in this snippett from last year: http://etierphotography.blogspot.com/2012/11/nov-4-six-sentence-sunday.html

What now?

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link will take you to the work of dozens of talented writers.

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