Friday Fictioneers is a weekly blog link-up based on a photo prompt. The Challenge – write a one hundred word story inspired by the picture that has a beginning, middle, and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the count.) The Key – make every word count. Up to the challenge? Join in!
Table for One
“It’s just me.”
“Just you?”
“Yes. Table for one.”
“I have a table for three. I could put you with a couple.”
“Is this a sex club?”
“No! This is a restaurant. A popular restaurant.”
“Then I’ll take the table alone.”
“I can’t do that, ma’am. Every seat must be filled.”
“Surely there’s a group who needs an extra chair?”
“Surely you could sit with some others. Maybe make some friends?”
“I have friends, thank you. What I need is food.”
“I have to fill every seat. I can’t seat one except at the bar and the bar is full.”
*****
100 words. Fiction, though I have found, on occasion, that it is difficult to convince hosts that I am indeed perfectly comfortable dining alone in public.
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! It’s my picture. Thank you, Rochelle, for the opportunity to share an image for inspiration.
Feedback is always appreciated. Comments of any kind really — so long as they are related to the post.
What story comes to mind when you see that picture? Join in!
*****
*Featured and Post Image Copyright — Copyright Melanie (WritingInBoots)
**The ads (which may appear) below are not mine, but they keep this free for me. Do with them as you choose.
This Is My Corn 
I love this. I made me feel stressed. I’d be ticked if someone had a problem with me sitting alone! I also found it funny when you asked if it were a sex club! Ha!
LikeLike
Thanks! I was listening to ‘Habits’ by Tove Lo when I was writing this, so the sex club idea got put into my head by that influence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whatever works eh?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
ARBITRARY and DISCRIMINATOR. But a good read.
LikeLike
Indeed. Hopefully no such place actually exists.
LikeLike
Great dialogue. It worked perfectly without any tags or information about what they were doing or looked like.
Claire
LikeLike
Thank you Claire. I needed the words back, so I had to take out the attributes to get through the story. I’m glad it still works.
LikeLike
Pingback: Friday Fictioneers: A Tale for Halloween | Sarah Potter Writes
I’ll double on Claire as I hesitated to Like because I was not sure if the Beginning-Middle-End required by FF challenge was there. On the other hand, the piece left me clearly aware of the feeling of a single being excluded on account of it … which is a powerful conclusion so thumbs up! 🙂
Tay.
LikeLike
Thank you Taygibay. I too wondered if it had a”beginning, middle, and end”, but I think it does. The single person shows up, asks/argues for a seat, and ends up waiting for a seat at the bar. I’m glad the affect got thru–the difficulties of dining alone. Thank you for the feedback. It’s helpful to know reader’s impressions.
LikeLike
That is one persistent waiter! I’m convinced the world is divided into those who are happy doing things alone, and those who cannot conceive of such a thing. There’s no middle ground. Your dialogue shows the clash of perspectives really well.
LikeLike
Thank you Margaret.
I think you’re right. There does seem to be that divide between the coupled and the uncoupled. I enjoy a good solo outing, but it never fails that someone thinks I need company.
LikeLike
I would have walked out! I’m a single older woman and I am constantly getting looked over when i try to dine alone. I just blogged about my most recent experience here
http://lingeringvisions.wordpress.com/2014/11/01/six-word-saturday-im-too-old-to-be-ignored/
I’m really not trying to plug my latest post I was just over come by the similarity to my real life experience. Obviously your story hit a nerve. Thanks for the picture too, btw.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing your post Dawn. I’m all too familiar with the unnecessary stigma of dining alone. I will most certainly check out your post. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Melanie,
Your story had plenty of back story without telling. The dialogue was just right. That’s one restaurant I’ll stay away from. I hate big crowds.
Thank you for the photo this week. It has inspired some interesting stories.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Thank you Rochelle. I’m not a big fan of big crowds either. I can only take them for so long.
I’m so glad to have been able to contribute a photograph and I’ve enjoyed reading the stories that have come from it.
LikeLike
I definitely won’t be going to that restaurant. You did a wonderful job with the dialogue. Your picture provided great inspiration for all of us 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you!
That’s not a restaurant I’d like to experience either. So rude and greedy.
I’ve enjoyed all the stories my picture has inspired. It’s fun to read everyone’s take on it. Thanks!
LikeLike
Ha, great dialogue. I was actually twitching to bop the waiter on the nose 🙂 Awesome customer service at that restaurant.
Thanks for supplying the picture!
LikeLike
Thank you! I think I would be tempted to “bop the waiter on the nose” too. Such pretentiousness. And you’re welcome. It was my pleasure to share a photo.
LikeLike
Melanie, Thanks for the good photo this week. It would upset me if I came somewhere alone and was treated like that. I feel sorry for employees who work for someone they’re afraid of and/or are very afraid of losing their jobs. I doubt I’d go back there again, even if I was with someone. Good dialogue and well written. 🙂 — Susan
LikeLike
Thank you Susan. The most negative experience I’ve had from staff at restaurants is feeling rushed because a single diner means a smaller tip than a larger group. I think someone like this might make me cry. 🙂
LikeLike