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?”
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| 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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It's intriguing as to how aloof the advisor was to her presence, whether just self absorbed or fooled by the disguise.
ReplyDeleteHum, it's very strange that he doesn't seem to remember.
ReplyDeleteHe was fooled by her disguise. She had the ability to pass herself off as a male. Have you ever seen that old movie with Julie Andrews, "Victor Victoria?"
DeleteOh interesting.
DeleteInteresting little flashback. I like seeing how her experiments helped with her future career : )
ReplyDeleteThere's a scene in the book in which she interviews street performers in NYC and another describing her skill as a makeup artist.
DeleteI'm always impressed by how organic and crisp your dialogue is. Another great snippet!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jess.
DeleteI appreciate your feedback.
I like your Claudia, and I love sociology.
ReplyDeleteClaudia is great. Snarky, scary-smart, and that intriguing tough of sociopathy to keep things even more interesting. :)
ReplyDeleteFrom this snippet, I deduced, he's dense and self absorbed, his student is advising him, his wife is unhappy with him, and Claudia enjoys "going under cover." I haven't been following this story so I might be off, but the dialogue as very well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, Gem.
DeleteYou're close on every point!
I'm curious as to the subject of her thesis...
ReplyDeleteThanks for this comment/inquiry.
DeleteIt gave me the idea for a blog and it will run tomorrow on my publisher's website.
I like Claudia... I can't wait to get to know her better!
ReplyDeleteGreat use of the 8's, Chip! Their dialogue reveals so much about him and his relationships with not only his wife, but his world. Well done!
ReplyDeleteKind of gave me a cold chill, how observant she is and how good at disguises! I loved the excerpt!
ReplyDeleteAh, fooled by her disguise. She's good.
ReplyDeleteShe must be very good at disappearing. Interesting snippet, Frank. Just a suggestion, be very careful with flashbacks and backstory taking too much of the current action. Concentrate on the current story and let the past come through with dialog between the characters. It keeps it exciting. :)
ReplyDelete