General Fiction Short Stories

Checking Out (Contest)

"Writing Contests" by  @hannahsue-- ... Contest #34 - Conversation ... Prompt: Write a story that consists only of dialogue. (1K)

"Tom, is that you?"

"No."

"Red, then?"

"Nope."

"Well then, who are you?"

"The new guy, I guess."

"Oh. Well ... does Alice know about you?"

"Alice?"

"Yes. Alice."

"Who's that?"

"Ahh, you don't know Alice. Well, do you know who Tom or Red are?"

"Nope."

"Do you know who you are?"

"Ha! Of course. Why?"

"Well, since you aren't Tom or Red, why don't you tell me about yourself? I'd like to get to know you. You know, your name, your age, what you do for a living - that sort of thing."

"Sure, I guess. My name is Reggie. I'm 37. I'm a UFC fighter. Well, I was a fighter. Trained since I was 14. Had a good career too. Twenty-one wins and only five losses. Got a concussion though during the last bout. I don't do it professionally anymore. I had to give it up. The specialist said I could lose my eye sight or something. It's hard to remember details though. I don't always get them straight. You know what I mean? Anyway, I train guys, and women too, who are coming up in the field now. So, I'm still active."

"My, my, sounds like quite the career. Were you sorry to have to let it go?"

"Yes. But, I ... I don't want to talk about it."

"That's fine Reggie. You don't have to."

"Who are you, anyway? And who is Alice?"

"I'm Dr. Jun. I am Alice's psychiatrist."

"A head shrink?"

"Yes, precisely."

"What's wrong with Alice?

"She's recently been traumatized. I was just talking to her about it a moment ago - before you interrupted. Alice was telling me about a terrible incident that happened to her 2 months ago."

"What was it?"

"Well, Alice had been hospitalized after receiving a severe beating."

"Ha! I know what that feels like. How'd it happen? The beating?"

"There was an early morning break in at her home. The thieves thought she'd gone to work because her car wasn't there. What they didn't know was that her car was in for repairs and she was waiting for a co-worker to come and pick her up that morning."

"She caught them in the act, then?"

"Sort of. The co-worker was running late and Alice hadn't left yet when she heard the intruders riffling around. She hid in her bedroom closet and called 911 but the intruders found her there before the police could arrive. They beat her badly and left her for dead."

"She needs some serious training. I could train her how to take scum like them down."

"Yes, perhaps you could."

"What happened next?"

"Oh, well, she suffered severe head trauma; as well as, several broken ribs and a punctured lung."

"Ha! I know what that feels like too! I walked away from some of my fights in pretty bad shape. Even from some of my wins!"

"Yes, I imagine you would have."

"So, this Alice, does she need a trainer?"

"Well, she's only just got out of the hospital in the last couple of weeks. She might not be ready for any training yet. Also, she's a little afraid right now. See, we are here in her parent's home. Alice did not want to return to her own home or even to come to my office. So, I agreed to meet her here for our appointment."

"That was nice of you - going out of your way for her."

"Well, I want to help Alice get better. Talking about trauma, in a safe environment, with someone you trust, can really help. Take for instance today, before you interrupted our conversation, Alice was opening up about how she doesn't feel safe anywhere anymore after the break-in."

"I could help her feel safe. I could train her in self-defense. I could show her how to protect herself even against guys much bigger than her."

"I'm sure you could Reggie. I'm sure you could."

"You could put in a good word for me with her, couldn't you Dr. Jun?"

"I could Reggie but ... you'll have to let me talk to her again. Can you do that Reggie? Can you let me speak to her?"

"I ... I don't think I can Doc."

"Well, I've come all this way just to speak with her Reggie. It seems a shame for her and I not to be able to finish our conversation, don't you think?"

"I ..."

"Alice, Alice are you with me again?"

"Ah ..."

"Is that you Alice?"

"No ..."

"Tom?"

"Nope."

"Red, then?"

"Try again Doc."

"Reggie?"

"Bingo!"

"Reggie, can you please let me talk to Alice?"

"Ah, I don't think so Doc."

"And why is that Reggie?"

"Looks like she's not here anymore."

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