I changed computer systems not long ago, and I realized recently that my system counts ellipses marks and quotation marks as words, so now I have to count my words by hand. Good thing we have a low limit. (Anybody else out there old enough to remember the old days of journalism when every five letters or spaces counted as a word? And there were no typewriters with built-in “word count.” A writer’s life was hard back then.) This week, though, I’ve evidently used only 97, so if any of the rest of you need three more, feel free to take them with my blessing.
This week’s prompt comes from a photo by Kent Bonham. All of the stories I’ve read so far find great beauty and genius in this structure. But I have to be true to myself and write what the building calls forth from me.

BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
“Okay, you can open your eyes ….
“Well … what do you think?”
“What do you mean, what do I think?”
“My surprise!”
“This … this … MONSTROSITY!!??”
“It’s a famous landmark!”
“You mean you invested ALL our money in THIS?
“It will make a grand hotel; you’ll see.”
“No … I won’t see! I’m going home!”
“But … I thought you knew …”
“Knew? …
His heartbeat doubled; sweat beaded on his forehead and trickled between his shoulder blades.
“Well ….” He licked his lips to relieve his mouth that felt like cotton. “Well … of course … I had … to … sell —”
He stopped talking and ran.
~
Join in the fun at this link:
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/3-may-2013/
Haha! Welcome to your new home, dear…
Well played. 🙂
Thank you. It was fun to write.
Hahaha, I haven’t seen the Gaudi buildings but much as they are interesting I wouldn’t want to own one either!
Thanks for taking the time to read it, Gilly.
Beauty is in the eye of the bee-holder
and it looks likes both people are going to get stung here.
I’d say you’re right.
LOL! I love that he stopped talking and ran away. Very entertaining! 😀 Oh and I absolutely LOVE your banner!!!
Thank you. It was a lot of fun to write.
Yes, I love that banner too. Crosscards.com has great wallpaper and e-cards. There is actually a scripture on the original picture of the chickens, but it is too far down to make it work for the header.
Hahah!
I can see him running.. Lol
God save him!
Yes, I think God is the only one who can. She’s really steamed. Thanks for taking the time to read the story.
Loved the last line 🙂
Yes, I did too. I hope he gets away — although he doesn’t deserve to go free. Thanks for taking the time to read it and comment.
I will refrain from taking your 3 extra words in exchange for those adorable banner cuddly chicks (which bought a broad smile to my face). Ooops…almost forgot about your story. I would run right behind him…that is one spooky building. Well done.
Thank you. And I love the banner too. It’s actually a portion of some wallpaper from Crosscards.com. They have great wallpaper and e-cards. There’s a scripture at the bottom of the original, but it was too far down to be able to get it to work on my header here.
You are certainly true to your banner, which I adore…!
This was very cute, and oh so funny… Though, he will get the last laugh. She’ll see, it’s worth a mint….! In the meantime, he’s better off running; to be sure..! 😉
all I can think of when I look at this picture … EWWW.
But I love your story – totally relate to her reaction to it. 😆
ME TOO! And thank you.
Great story, great header! 🙂
Thank you very much on both counts.
*Probably* should have run that idea past her first… Nicely done!
This really made me laugh – I’m still grinning. When he said ‘all our money’ he really meant it then!
fabulous 😀
Ran?lol What a sissy!
I think the idea of living in something that hideous must have turned her into something like the Incredible Hulk, so he got away while he still could. He was a lot smarter in the end than he was in the beginning.
Oh I guess we can agree to disagree when it come to taste… 🙂
Agreeing to disagree is what makes the world keep going round. Besides, now that I’ve read several more and heard from others, I’ve found there seem to be more who don’t like it than do. So at least I’m not feeling out in left field somewhere.
He certainly guessed wrong on that one!! I wonder if they’ll be able to get through this crisis. As for your view of the building, there have been plenty stories of a horrible if not malicious structure, so this view would be preferable!! 🙂
janet
Gotta love those awkward “wait, but I thought you knew…” moments. 🙂 Great story.
Thank you. It was fun to write.
Dear Sandra,
This reminds me of the time my husband picked out a dining room set he thought was wonderful. It was hideous and I told him it would give me nightmares. Fortunately for him, he didn’t buy it without asking.
This guy better run. 😉
shalom,
Rochelle
Yes indeedy!!!
And you have a well-trained hubby.
But, you know, it’s amazing to me just how many couples I know who actually have communication that is almost this poor.