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Cross Purposes

by Cornelia 

Posted: 31 March 2011
Word Count: 350
Summary: For V'Yonne's feeling out of place challenge


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Reverend Grey peered over his half-glasses and almost chortled with pleasure. 'Charmaine, my dear, I congratulate you on the theme you and Kevin have chosen for your forthcoming nuptials. Angels it shall be! And for the opening anthem, may I suggest, ‘Angels From the Realms of Glory?’

Charmaine crossed and uncrossed her legs. ‘Thanks, Vicar, but I was thinking of something darker.’

‘Darker? That is most unusual.' Reverend Grey closed his eyes for a moment. 'There’s ‘Hark the Herald Angels'?’ St Luke tells us seraphim appeared as shepherds watched their flocks by night.’

Charmaine sniggered. ‘I think Kevin’s lot would be singing the other version, Vicar. Besides, isn’t that too ... Christmassy?’

‘You do have a point. But, nil desperandum. Let me see...an angel theme, but darker.’

The puzzled cleric stretched a bony hand across his forehead. ‘Angels are distinguished by their radiance, you see - metaphorical of course, but all the same a positive aura.’

‘You are joking, Vicar? I’d have thought if you’re seeing angels it’s not usually such a good thing.

‘Well, you do have a point. Ah! I think there is a way forward. You wish to convey a sense of the numinous, the portentous nature of the divine, as it were, a heavenly harbinger or ghostly immanence, the symbolic union of Christ and his church?'

‘Whatever. I just thought more threatening.’

The vicar raised his hands, palms outward. ‘Threatening angels? No, no. I’m afraid it’s not possible. You’re venturing into the realm of quite contradictory spiritual concepts, you see - a quandary of Augustinian proportions.’

Charmaine stood, straightening her skirt. ‘Well, if it’s too much trouble Vicar - only I heard you were flexible.

‘Please wait, I don’t want to turn you away. In God’s house there are many mansions. You said the concept was suggested by the groom?

Charmaine set her lips in a proud smile. ‘S’right. He’s in the Croydon Chapter.’

‘Chapter ?’

‘Of the Hell’s Angels!’

Reverend Grey sighed. ‘Oh, I understand. In that case, may I suggest two very popular options: ‘ Ride of the Valkyries’ and ‘Leader of the Pack’.’









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Comments by other Members



Desormais at 10:10 on 31 March 2011  Report this post
Very convincing dialogue this, Sheila. I got a very clear image of the two characters. A nice tight flash. Enjoyed it.

Sandra

Prospero at 10:15 on 31 March 2011  Report this post
Ah the spiritual meets the secular, always a deafening bang.

I enjoyed this, Sheila, you held the reveal right to very end and made it all the more effective as it was there from the beginning when you saw the twist. Very clever.

Well done

Best

John

Cornelia at 10:22 on 31 March 2011  Report this post
So quick! I was still fiddling to get the word count right. Thanks for reading and for the encouraging remarks.

Sheila

dharker at 10:28 on 31 March 2011  Report this post
Excellent! Loved the twist and the dialogue leading to it...

A strong piece Sheila! I loved it!

Dave

Cornelia at 11:19 on 31 March 2011  Report this post
Glad you enjoyed it, Dave.

Sheila

tusker at 17:10 on 31 March 2011  Report this post
A good twist in that pompous vicar's tale, Sheila.

Charmaine's a girl after my own heart.

Jennifer



V`yonne at 17:48 on 31 March 2011  Report this post
I love the way the vicar spoke
nil desperandum

You’re venturing into the realm of quite contradictory spiritual concepts, you see - a quandary of Augustinian proportions.’

And you completey wrong footed me too. Now Bewildering Stories might like this or EDF or The Pygmy Giant. Try

I loved it!

Cornelia at 18:12 on 31 March 2011  Report this post
Thanks to both for reading. Jennifer, I wonder what the theme for your wedding was? Or are you like me and think two minutes in the registrar's is all that's needed?

V'yonne, I thought it must be too obvious when she said dark that it was a Hell's Angel so I'm glad to be reassured.

I'll have a look at Bewildering Stories, as I've been receiving very mixed impressions of the other two.

Sheila

fiona_j at 18:16 on 31 March 2011  Report this post
Haha, this is brilliant. You had me duped! I was wondering where it was going but didn't think Hells Angels.

I love the response of the vicar at the end too. He realises he's lost the battle so just goes along with the flow.

Very nicely written, well done!

Fi

Cornelia at 18:22 on 31 March 2011  Report this post
Thanks Fiona. Yes, you have to feel sorry for the vicar having to change with the times.

Sheila

V`yonne at 09:50 on 01 April 2011  Report this post
Bewildering Stories is my favourite mag but don't dismiss any of them - publish where you can is what I say.

Cornelia at 12:20 on 01 April 2011  Report this post
It's an interesting site, and I'm still finding my way round it.I can't find the part where it mentions payment.

Sheila

V`yonne at 13:19 on 01 April 2011  Report this post
It doesn't! BwS is for love only. You'll find if you follow my links that is mostly the case.

Cornelia at 13:34 on 01 April 2011  Report this post
Ah, that'll be why I couldn't find it, then.Thanks for clearing up the mystery.

Sheila

crowspark at 17:24 on 02 April 2011  Report this post
Funny and cleverly done. Loved the contrast between the vicar and the bride to be.
There are plenty of scary angels in the old testament!
Great pace and well executed ending.

Thanks for the read.

Bill

Cornelia at 17:31 on 02 April 2011  Report this post
Thanks, Bill for your encouraging comments. I do like writing dialogue with contrasting speech styles.

Sheila


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