Last week, Nick Booth continued
our London chain story. Here is the thirteenth chapter, written by Time Out
reader Edward Lasala. Thanks to everyone who contributed.
Chapter Thirteen by Edward Lasala
The latest instalment of our unique story, written by a different reader every week.
There was something in the Toucan Telecom agent’s tone, however, which suggested that he understood Tobias’s shower experiment completely. Unbeknown to Tobias, the sales agent’s completion of a crash course in verbal flagellation and coercion at Toucan’s consumer relations branch was something from which the CIA could only hope to take cues.
‘What I can say is that I do understand, Mr Tobias, how people like you feel,’ continued the agent. ‘And I think I know what it is you might be missing. My name is Gary. Let me ask you something, Mr Tobias. What sort of telephone are you currently using?’
Standing downcast in a pool of his own excrement at the other end of the line, Tobias resembled a crass rendering of Bacon’s study for the human body.
Feature continues
A knock-off executed by a less refined impostor. He made a brief assessment of the handset Mo had proffered him. It was prehistoric, set in snot-green casing beneath layers of ossified chewing gum. Presumably Thorsten’s. It was connected by a cable to a rotary dial at the other end of the dilapidated room where a dirty gymnastics towel served as a window curtain.
Gary didn’t leave Tobias much time to respond. ‘Are you familiar, Mr Tobias, with the latest in Toucan’s long line of signature mobile handsets, the Bono 3000™, not yet released among distributors or more discriminating shops?’
At that moment Tobias’ attention was interrupted by a faint moan of pleasure from the adjacent room, followed punctually by a stifled giggle. The voice belonged to Mo.
For a split second, Tobias recalled that not only was Mo’s sister still missing, but that Mo herself had been alone for some time in the next room with Thorsten.
But there was something about Gary’s vocal delivery and salesmanship – it soothed Tobias like an uncut narcotic.
The water had inexplicably stopped running from his showerhead. Everything was silent. For the first time in his life, Tobias was all ears.
‘The Bono 3000™, while quite small, serves a myriad of alternate uses, from underwater spy cam to quivering phallus to ruthless bludgeon,’ Gary continued.
‘In addition, it plays 100,000 music videos, and just as many of your favourite adverts. What’s your favourite advert, Mr Tobias?’
|
|
The best of London in your inbox
|
|
10 comments
Judging from the responses, it seems all are writers wanting to take a stab at writing the next installment. Eventhough we are now on the 13th installment, most of these responses happen to be for the first, a bit misleading in a way until you read carefully.
I'm confused - the title is "A London Story" but what's being published bears little or no relation to it. Babygirl appears to have been spirited AWAY from London; the frequent flashbacks to Germany are quite simply bizarre; thank god Howard Dorman has paid attention to the title!! This story is utterly depressing.
I think the best way to trace Franz would be to place a sheet of translucent paper over an old photograph of him and then carefully sketch his outline with a soft pencil, adding as much detail and colour for realism as possible.
It's no doubt that the piece is well written and would be a good read, but it's a genre. Toby did what he does -write well and about something he has a story in his head about. But if the TimeOut people wanted a large participation then it would have been better to start us off at a path with many possible paths.
Hmmm, nice idea, shame the first chapter is less than inspirational.
Really fun idea, but agreed the beginning doesnt leave a lot to work with at all. I guess the next chapter will really set the tone in stone. Also a deadline wld be nice for submissions (!)
Sorry to change the subject chaps,but I've just noticed that the capricious gods of the Time Out books section have once again ignored our prayers for the listing of our poetry club which they insist is finished. NO !
Y Tuesday poetry club, Tuesday 6th March 2007, 8pm, 3 Kings pub, Clerkenwell close EC1
London's cosy, candle lit club with a cat, 1 year old and going strong. Still a whopping FREE to get in.
Great idea, but a deadline when entries have to be in by each week would be useful. I couldn't see on in the mag or on the site.
Great Idea!! This would have been great fun, just wonder why you had to start us off so somberly with negativity looming in the future. It leaves us very little versatility. Hope you give us the chance again and start us off with a little lighter feeling and a chance for a diverse plot. I'll be looking forward to it.
Nice start Toby, rich with promise and all sorts of potential. It's inspired me to attempt an entry, but I'm a bit rubbish at fiction. Looking forward to the next episode folks.