Writers, join me in penning this creative story …
Something new here at the Muse to keep the creative juices flowing. I’ll start the story. Feeling game? Please add the next couple of sentences or paragraphs, leaving your last words to be a cliff hanger of sorts. I’ll post the new entries as they come separated by the tilde. Many thanks! G.
~
I’d been in the cave for 3 days. My food and water were almost gone, my portable lamps running low on batteries. Yet, I didn’t want to leave until I’d completed the Van Dussen Challenge. I thought back to the argument that led me to sign up for it …
~
My husband said I’d never last. “Ha! I’ll show you,” I said and then dared him to do the challenge with me. Now, I don’t know where he is, and he doesn’t know where I am.
“Is a convertible BMW really worth it?” I wonder, thinking about the grand prize. “Yes, yes it it,” I conclude.
If I only make it out of here alive.
~
Three long days in virtual reality, not sure anymore if I am in a real cave or still laying on my couch. I think I remember signing up for a psychology experiment involving deprivation and the prize of a BMW for who lasts the longest.
Getting weak, though, but, I can’t remember the safe word to get unplugged. My, this BMW is sooooo nice, I think I’ll just take it for a little drive.
~
The vision slips away and my head clears. What the hell was I thinking when I signed up for this?
Winning the BMW wasn’t my goal.
I wanted to prove a point – that I could endure this and more. To face up to and conquer my fears of the unknown, following the Van Dussen method of descending to the darkest depths, both physical and mental. I would show the world what I was made of and that macho husband of mine that I could get through this and win the prize that was his main goal.
A long sigh breaks the dark silence in the cave.
~
For a moment I thought the sigh belonged to someone else, hoped even. Then I realized it was mine. Despite my predicament, it was a sigh of relief for I’d also realized that the challenge was both literal and figurative. I’d taken it to its extreme and had descended to the darkest depths of my soul, searching for my truth.
It wasn’t the world or my husband that I was trying to prove myself to, it was me. I’d reached the point in my life where all the worldly goods, all the extravagances, yes, even the BMWs, meant nothing if I couldn’t reach down deep and find the real me. I could see now that most of my life had been spent trying to prove myself to the world, to my husband, my parents, my so-called friends and I’d failed miserably because none of them could know who I truly am. I was, have been, little more than a facade.
~
I’ve forgotten by now, what are the “rules” of this Challenge? Do they matter any more – really, truly? They’re ‘someone else’s’ rules, from a different world. I’m here, I’m doing this Work. It is important to Me, to my Heart, in the Now.
~
RSS
My husband said I’d never last. “Ha! I’ll show you,” I said and then dared him to do the challenge with me. Now, I don’t know where he is, and he doesn’t know where I am.
“Is a convertible BMW really worth it?” I wonder, thinking about the grand prize. “Yes, yes it it,” I conclude.
If I only make it out of here alive.
Fab Angie! I decided to add them to the post as they come in. Thanks for your cool next couple of lines. I want to know more … g.
Three long days in virtual reality, not sure anymore if I am in a real cave or still laying on my couch. I think I remember signing up for a psychology experiment involving deprivation and the prize of a BMW for who lasts the longest.
Getting weak, though, but, I can’t remember the safe word to get unplugged. My, this BMW is sooooo nice, I think I’ll just take it for a little drive.
Wow Lou! Clever and creative to take us into a virtual reality contest … Thanks for stopping in. G.
Thanks, G, this was fun.
The vision slips away and my head clears. What the hell was I thinking when I signed up for this?
Winning the BMW wasn’t my goal.
I wanted to prove a point – that I could endure this and more. To face up to and conquer my fears of the unknown, following the Van Dussen method of descending to the darkest depths, both physical and mental. I would show the world what I was made of and that macho husband of mine that I could get through this and win the prize that was his main goal.
A long sigh breaks the dark silence in the cave.
Penelope,
Your writing always blows me away! Appreciate this new twist … G.
For a moment I thought the sigh belonged to someone else, hoped even. Then I realized it was mine. Despite my predicament, it was a sigh of relief for I’d also realized that the challenge was both literal and figurative. I’d taken it to its extreme and had descended to the darkest depths of my soul, searching for my truth.
It wasn’t the world or my husband that I was trying to prove myself to, it was me. I’d reached the point in my life where all the worldly goods, all the extravagances, yes, even the BMWs, meant nothing if I couldn’t reach down deep and find the real me. I could see now that most of my life had been spent trying to prove myself to the world, to my husband, my parents, my so-called friends and I’d failed miserably because none of them could know who I truly am. I was, have been, little more than a facade.
John,
As usual, your creativity makes me see that it still exists in the world! Can you imagine if this story went around the world (in 80 days)?
Most grateful! G.
I’ve forgotten by now, what are the “rules” of this Challenge? Do they matter any more – really, truly? They’re ‘someone else’s’ rules, from a different world. I’m here, I’m doing this Work. It is important to Me, to my Heart, in the Now.