Snow would be the easy way out
–Rita Dove, from “November for Beginners”
Miranda’s rippled cleavage was pasted across banners of the e-zines that mattered. Just like the paparazzi to zoom in on a digital image and draw a red circle around it, with the headline, “Curdled Milk?”
And why didn’t Mirage Photoshop her into perfection as he usually did? Maybe she’d cut him with her wit one too many times? Or maybe Mirage had found himself a new Miss Thang to worship?
Too late to sort it now. Now was the time for action. Snow would be the easy way out; just forget and hire a fresh digital airbrusher. Headlines quickly faded. But I’ve been clean and sober for five years now, she thought as her hand reached for the sobriety coin she’d had made into the center of a pendant surrounded by crystals.
“Gianni!” she yelled, “Call the doctors. It’s time for some new pillows.”
[144 words]
When I saw this line, an episode of a TV show I started watching (yes, it is a guilty pleasure!) came to mind. “Botched” is on Netflix but originally aired on E! (2014,) where two top-notch plastic surgeons do their best to correct the shoddy work of other plastic surgeons (or update outdated implants, procedures, etc.) The plot for this story came from a person in Season 1, Episode 2. My story is *loosely* based on the episode.
Kim is today’s host of dVerse’ Prosery. Kim says:
Write a 144-word story using the top line of poetry.
Tao Talk 
I think this is most fitting these days for some when life processed through software and photoshop is here to stay… maybe soon AI will replace that bad photoshop work.
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Bjorn, I think you’re right. The lines between what’s real and what isn’t is blurring and at some point there will be no difference. Huxley’s Brave New World Reboot.
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Oh dear, poor Miranda! I’m not a fan of photo-shopping images of people; I like to see them as they are, imperfections and all, as imperfections make us unique. I’ve never seen ‘Botched’.
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I agree, Kim. Only have watched 2 episodes so far. As with so many things, it is a show of extremes.
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This is absolutely stellar writing, Lisa! Lovely use of imagery and I love how the line by Dove blends in with the storyline. ❤️❤️
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This is a brilliant read, and such an interesting take on “snow”, from the prompt. You’ve done an amazing job of telling a story that is so much bigger than 144 words.
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Thank you very much for the kind comment.
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Sanaa, thanks much <3
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Clever alternative ‘snow’! Took me a second reading to get it :) (I hope I did…)
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If you get the connection between snow and the sobriety chip you got it :) Thanks, Jane.
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I never would have thought of that use of snow!
The photoshop and plastic surgery–I think of Michael Jackson and others constantly seeking and never believing they look good as they are.
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Thank you, Merril. If I hadn’t just watched that E of Botched, I probably wouldn’t have either :)
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You’re welcome, Lisa!
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Interesting!!!
Much🖤live
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Thanks, Gillena. I just read your prosery and now you have me wondering whether the relative was human or the snow.
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Beautiful post 🖊️
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Thank you :)
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I’ve never seen “Botched” but the pressure to be the latest image of perfection drive people to such sadly desperate acts! Well-told, Lisa!
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YES. This lady was in her what looked like 50s or 60s and wanted to keep looking 30. She forbid the doctors to call her 30-year-old implants “old”. Thank you, Dora.
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Cosmetic surgery has gotten out of hand but there’s a lot of profit in it.
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Dora, I’m sure there is. In Grand Rapids, they recently built what looks like a Palace for Plastic Surgery, and in my town, the newest medical building is for plastic surgery. Some of the folks they are showing on Botched look more like Barbie and Ken dolls than human.
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“Time for some new pillows.”😂
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Glad you liked that. She was quite a corker!
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Plastic surgery is such a strange concept to me. (K)
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Same here. I can see needing reconstructive surgery after trauma or disease, but for vanity?
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Very well done, Lisa. An interesting take on the prompt.
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Thank you, Dwight!
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You are welcome.
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Sometimes it is better to be seen how you truly are… but certainly a unique take on the snow…very creative.
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Thanks for reading and your comment :)
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Oh man. New pillows. I think the female body needs to stop being a battle ground. I enjoyed this original piece, Lisa.
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K, thanks much. I tried to reflect the person through her language. Happy you enjoyed the story.
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An interesting perspective Lisa! Well written and a great read!
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Carol, thank you very much :)
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At times, dentists do the same thing of correcting botched up work. And all of them make handsome money in the process.
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Reena, I believe it. I just read about how horrible veneers are for teeth, and I’m sure the dentists who do them know but they cave to the demands of the patients and throw ethics out the window. And yes, get wealthy in the process :(
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Nicely written Li
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Thank you, Sadje.
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Most welcome i
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Great story, Lisa! Miranda came to life, in living color, puckers and all! And now I have something new to watch on Netflix.
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Thanks, Helen :) Glad I brought Miranda to life to you.
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Just wait until the wondering AI monster gets ahold of it. Wonderfully done, Lisa.
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Thanks, Bill :)
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What an original take on the prompt, Lisa. So much told in so few words. Wonderful writing, as per.
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Dale, thank you. I like using “cool-sounding” slang sometimes (e.g. snow and pillows.) :)
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Yes! :)
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:)
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Brilliant! I especially love the flow of your prose in this one!
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Frank, happy you liked the story, thanks!
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I love the story Lisa, hooked me in. Your afterword reminded me of Lennon’s dictum – Time wasted is not wasted if it was enjoyed :)
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John was one sharp cookie. Thanks for sharing that one with me.
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My pleasure
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