Blue greenhorn

Continuing the two word challenge (see my April 30 post), this time my friend specified the words in the title of this post.

The challenge was the same — to spin those two words into a tale. Below is the story I came up with.

-KP

_______
 

“Blue,” he said, “before you even ask.”

“Is that your favorite color?”

He shook his head “My mood. Moods are colors,” he explained, “and mine is the color blue.” He stared into his whiskey glass.

“Is there anything I can do to cheer you up?”

Turning his attention from the drink in his hand, he took a good look at her. “You’re pretty.”

She smiled. “I’m glad you noticed.”

“So how come you’re talking to me?”

“I’ve been watching you from across the bar, and you look like a man who could use some cheering up.”

He put down the glass and turned to face her. “I think it’s working. But why pick me, with all this collective misery to choose from?” He looked around the bar.

“These others, they’re old pros at being miserable.”

“But not me?”

“No, not you. You’re a greenhorn. I can tell these things.”

“You have magical powers?”

“Just one. I’m a gal. We’re good at that kind of stuff.”

“Maybe,” he shook his head, “or maybe we guys are just bad at that kind of stuff. Still, I’m happy to report that I feel better already.”

“Ah,” she smiled, “Validation of my magical powers.”

“Do you have any other magical abilities? Could you actually guess my
favorite color?”

She laughed. “I’ve been known to read minds, but I try not to abuse that particular power. My boyfriend says it gives me an unfair advantage.”

He picked up his glass, and regarded it silently.

“So?” she asked, “What’s your favorite color?”

He stared into his drink for a long time before answering. “Blue.”

2 thoughts on “Blue greenhorn”

  1. The first time you brought up this concept, my immediate thought was “why not just one word?” Then I figured that using two words invites the challenger to give you words with a kind of contrast, and that contrast makes the game interesting. After all, “Quiet Symphony”, “Unwashed Rain”, or even “Bagel Car” seem like much more inviting prompts than “Talkative Chatterbox”, “Unsorted Mess”, or “Hand Glove”.

  2. Yes, I quite agree. The two words create tension between them, and a good story can arise from that tension.

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