Nice pun work! I've been cooking up a similar wordplay idea for a while, so I really like this construct.
One thought re: the stock image reveal. There's definitely tension/suspense built up for the reader as they try to make sense of the story without seeing the stock photo that inspired it. That's a killer format. I wonder, however, what would happen if you revealed the photo first, then the text. Would it be funnier? Less funny? Would it thrust the reader deeper into the world from the outset? Or kill the vibe from the start?
I don't claim to know, and either choice introduces tradeoffs. Nevertheless, could be something to experiment with in future posts and see how people respond. Just a thought.
Really? I had you pegged for an FBI (female body inspector) t-shirt guy. Our mall didn't have a Hot Topic. But I window shopped for racy t-shirts, fishnet tights, and penis pasta at Spencer Gifts.
Honestly, I may have got my mall stores confused, could have been Spencers I also window shopped. The most juvenile sex joke shirt I had was a Smashing Pumpkins t-shirt with a sperm shaped astronaut circling a planet
Also, no idea of these brands. Perhaps I should clarify, I walked the mall, but I didn’t shop at the mall as a kid. I got some Quicksilver shirts from Ross Dress for Less. They weren’t the coolest, but they had a cool brand tag, so I begged my mom to buy them
I almost never wore what was trendy. Not sure if that's because I couldn't afford it or just didn't like it. The brands I mentioned were the things my classmates HAD to have. In Junior High mostly. I think I bought myself a pair of K-swiss sneakers once, but otherwise, I lived on hand-me-downs from my incredibly popular older sister. I wonder if our lack of brand connection has to do with geography.
Fun story, right up my alley. Wait, what?! Very funny. I’m lucky that I know you well enough to hear your voice while reading it which makes me enjoy it even more.
Love you, Charles/Chuck (but not Chaz). Which voice sounded more like me? The crude, overbearing salesman or the nervous potential employee. I think I answered my own question. 😂
This was a riot! Rock solid prose, Handler!
Attaboy, Bradbury. Clearly, you had a firm grasp on what I was trying to accomplish. 😉
🤣
Nice pun work! I've been cooking up a similar wordplay idea for a while, so I really like this construct.
One thought re: the stock image reveal. There's definitely tension/suspense built up for the reader as they try to make sense of the story without seeing the stock photo that inspired it. That's a killer format. I wonder, however, what would happen if you revealed the photo first, then the text. Would it be funnier? Less funny? Would it thrust the reader deeper into the world from the outset? Or kill the vibe from the start?
I don't claim to know, and either choice introduces tradeoffs. Nevertheless, could be something to experiment with in future posts and see how people respond. Just a thought.
Meg, I can't wait to see your entry for TGSSC! I think it will be a fantastic contribution. We're in the home stretch now 👍
Ditto
Haha! I'm on innuendo overload!
How do you think I feel? 😂😂
I use to want one of those Big Johnson t-shirts they sold at Hot Topic as a kid.
Really? I had you pegged for an FBI (female body inspector) t-shirt guy. Our mall didn't have a Hot Topic. But I window shopped for racy t-shirts, fishnet tights, and penis pasta at Spencer Gifts.
Honestly, I may have got my mall stores confused, could have been Spencers I also window shopped. The most juvenile sex joke shirt I had was a Smashing Pumpkins t-shirt with a sperm shaped astronaut circling a planet
Did you fall victim to the Co-ed Naked phenomenon? Tell me you didn't.
Did you wear Skidz? or Z-Cavariccis? Or B.U.M. Equipment?
Also, no idea of these brands. Perhaps I should clarify, I walked the mall, but I didn’t shop at the mall as a kid. I got some Quicksilver shirts from Ross Dress for Less. They weren’t the coolest, but they had a cool brand tag, so I begged my mom to buy them
I almost never wore what was trendy. Not sure if that's because I couldn't afford it or just didn't like it. The brands I mentioned were the things my classmates HAD to have. In Junior High mostly. I think I bought myself a pair of K-swiss sneakers once, but otherwise, I lived on hand-me-downs from my incredibly popular older sister. I wonder if our lack of brand connection has to do with geography.
I don’t recall this phenomenon, so no? It’s a t-shirt gag?
https://www.chowdaheadz.com/blogs/news/coed-naked-a-90s-classic-renewed
Apparently, they're making a comeback.
https://www.ahoged.com/the-smashing-pumpkins-starla-spaceman-t-?prop%5Bcolor%5D=purple&prop%5Bsize%5D=&product=1&item=1028391399&side=front the Starla Spaceman
I never would have known that was a sperm if you didn't tell me. 😂 But, if it made you feel cool and dangerous once, I'm happy.
I adored the pumpkins too much as a kid.
Fun story, right up my alley. Wait, what?! Very funny. I’m lucky that I know you well enough to hear your voice while reading it which makes me enjoy it even more.
Love you, Charles/Chuck (but not Chaz). Which voice sounded more like me? The crude, overbearing salesman or the nervous potential employee. I think I answered my own question. 😂
Yes, I think you did
Hilarious! The title sucked me in right away!
I'm blown away, Wendy. 😘 Thanks for reading.
Hahaha! Thank you for the laughs. 🤣
Anytime. 🙂