So, how do I feel about having my story finally published on Deathlings.com? Pretty good. It's a slow creep though. Most of my enthusiasm was spent telling everyone I was accepted. Then I had to wait two months since I was told it would be only a week. It's kind of like being hungry for so long that your stomach shrinks. Either way, it's nice to see my name on a website that is not my own. I like too how Deathlings introduced the story:
J. Scott Ellis's Damned Carnival has it all: the ultimate creepy carnival setting, a mysterious woman and a surprise ending. Read and enjoy!Short but sweet.
An interesting thing happened to me yesterday at Starbucks. I've been going there for a while at lunch. I bring a sandwich and my laptop, then write for a half hour or so, depending on my enthusiasm level. The staff is getting to know me. So much so that my coffee order is already waiting for me when I reach the counter. Well, it was that way until I switched to ice coffee. Now the girls are a little confused.
Anyway, one of my "barristas" is a young woman from Russia or some Slavic nation (I haven't asked yet). One of the first times I saw her she wore every sign of having a bad day, so I asked her how she was. She put on that brave smile and said, "Very good thanks." I shook my head. "I don't believe you."
Yesterday as I stepped to the counter, she was stocking the muffin display rack. I ordered my drink and looked her way, to find her looking at me, waiting apparently for me to notice. "Are you a teacher?" she asked me.
"No. I'm a computer programmer."
"Well you look like a teacher to me."
I made a facial expression. You know the one. The one that says, "Interesting, I never thought of that." But what I really said was, "Perhaps I should change careers then." Everyone else laughed while she looked on with a thoughtful grin.
14 comments:
I'd say she was coming on to you, but most women don't use the old "You look like a teacher" line. Of course, I haven't flirted with a non-spousal male for the better part a decade, so I have no idea what the kids are doing these days.
Congrats again on Deathlings.
Yeah, I thought the same thing, on both counts. I couldn't figure out if I'd been insulted or not. At the time I was wearing khakis and a nice button down shirt, so I did sort of look like a teacher. Usually I wear shorts when it's hot, jeans otherwise. I don't look old but my age is showing. I will say that I've been hot for a great many of my teachers. Uh, you know, the female ones that is.
Huge congratulations on being published, Scott! After I write this, I'm on my way to read your story yet again. I really hope this sets you squarely on the path — then I can name drop you to everyone.
Are you kidding? I'll be name dropping you!
So, you're saying you're hot for teacher?
I don't feel tardy.
I was certainly hot for the teacher in that video!
You can never be sure what flirting is for another culture. For all you know, in Russia "You look like a teacher" could mean "I want you to teach me the ways of hot American sex."
Congratulations again by the way!
True, or like Steve Martin noted, it could mean that she wants to be fed a combat boot, and to massage my grandma. You never know.
What magnetbabe said...
Someone told me I looked like a teacher once and I nearly belted him one.
And congratulations.
Ahh...
Hot for Teacher.
Van Halens finest hour?
Interesting how these little daily interactions stick with us.
My sister was a barista for a long time and it's an interesting "culture". They do get to know their customers very well, like you said, so you throw them off when you order something different. LOL.
Scott!!!
That's so awesome about your story. Congratulations!
Signed, sealed, and delivered. Very nice.
Thanks for the kind words and all of the support for the "Lonely Moon" Contest. Stats have been amazing. I usually post final stats with the winners' announcement, but I can tell you that we are at about 18,000 hits just to this point with the record being over 600 visitors and 3000 hits yesterday. Whoa!
Congratulations on the story being up and out!!!!
Fabulous :) Very happy for you.
LOL at the teacher comment. I'm not commenting on hotness. I only get into trouble ;-)
Yeay!!!!! Still happy for you :)
I was a coffee girl when I met my husband. That was my actual title, too, "coffee girl." I'd have his coffee all ready for him before he got out of the car. We only ever did that for customers we loved (to impress them) or hated (to have the transaction over with quickly). The fact that she engaged you at all means she thinks you are cute.
Nice jobon hte bio, Scott, that whole thing panics me, as you know. And congrats again. I will link you on the Friday RoundUp to refresh memories.
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