Ignatius Plotsky was a poet in waiting, a painter in search of a canvas and writer of some obscurity whose insights were sited somewhere beyond the land of meaning.
Following a few drinks at the bar, and spotting a young lady who, as Shakespeare might have said, “Ticked all the boxes” he wandered up to her and, pushing his fringe aside in a practised gesture of world weariness said, “Faze in to the far out” while looking as deeply into her eyes as good manners would allow.
Her mind was filled more with the image of Maserati’s than poetry so we can forgive her, or anyone else to be fair, for failing to understand what he meant. Indeed he didn’t know himself but it had a certain cadence don’t you think? It flowed with obscure confidence, a silent volume possibly, or am I allowing myself to fall into the trap of meaningless profundities set by our pre-illustrious hero.
Whatever his failings or mine, his interest in the fair maiden was sincere, and seeing that her eyes did not fill with wonder he quickly added, “Perhaps we can discuss life and the apparel of the dilettanti over a meal at “La Gala,” an expensive restaurant of note in central London.
Here was her problem. He clearly had the conversational magic of a route guidance system, but La Scala was a seriously exclusive eaterie available only to the “More money than taste” clique, of which young Ignatius was a proud member. Brief images of a sun drenched Maserati speeding across the Alps toward Monte Carlo, with her in the passenger seat and music playing just loud enough to drown out his voice, moved through her imagination as she replied, “That would be lovely darling.”
She called everyone “Darling” in truth, but he was not to know that, and so felt flattered by this obvious sign of interest. “Let us move on with languid haste towards the chariots of yore” he said quoting a line from the poem he had been “slaving” over the previous evening. Her mind, filled with expensive cars and drawing room trinkets, hardly noticed he was talking nonsense and gave him one of her deeper smiles which looked straight past his soul towards his bank account.
Curiously after both had exhausted all attempts to impress the other, somewhere before the dessert course arrived, they discovered a mutual love of dogs and potted plants. Successful marriages, as Ignatius might have said, “Are often based on a lesser hue.”
Fabulous and beautifully written!
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How often we must use pretense as an aid in order to get to the true essences of life. In this case, I believe it was worth it.
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There’s that smooth writing style I envy so again. Fine tale also…just glad to have ensnared my missus with several pints of lager and a vindaloo!
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Ahh… You had me at the title, dear Peter! And while I see your point, and recognize its wisdom, I know that I, personally, would have fallen for the first line! Lol!
But then, I’ve always been that misshapen peg trying to squeeze into that ill-conceived hole… 🙂
Beautiful storytelling, as usual! Such a soft, melodic voice you have, such rhythm to lull even the most world weary soul… Thank you!
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We shall always have the dogs, shan’t we dawling?
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Your writing is always so soulful, love it and the messages you share.
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Carried along effortlessly as usual, Peter, through this remarkable tale…! (As Shakespeare once wrote, ‘this really floated my boat’…and I do believe we must read the same annotated edition…)😊
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You had me at Ignatius Plotsky. On the other hand, had a been the young woman, he probably would have lost me at “Faze in to the far out”. Oh well, I never was much of one for trendy restaurants anyway.
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Hilarious! I had to chuckle at this one, Peter! I admire the versatility in your writing exploring here the flaws of humanity with wit and panache. Fine work!
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This ticked all the boxes – as we expect!
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Fun story. A lot of truth in it, too!
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I think they probably deserved each other! Have you ever thought of publishing a collection of your favourite posts?
Sx
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what a whimsical story, with a final gentle twist at the end. like a wonderful slide on a playground.
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“He clearly had the conversational magic of a route guidance system” – genius!
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Potted plants and bowserinos? I’m in!
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Where my friend do you come up with all these glorious turns of phrases, “tickled all the boxes”????? You crack me up and of course excite my need to read what you say. I love a good use of words–wonder why I don’t practice it more in my own writings?
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hey ! I really enjoyed this. thanks for liking my blog. will be sure to visit yours from time to time
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Successful marriages, as Ignatius might have said, “Are often based on a lesser hue.”
True
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Loved it.
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