Friday, May 3, 2013

The Palace Paillasse


"Are you sure this is the hotel you booked, Brandon?" I asked as we arrived at the fancifully stuccoed and bizarrely terraced lodging place to which we were headed for the evening.

"Yep, that's it," said Brandon, "the Palace Paillasse, and I think it looks cool!"

Well, the hotel did have a playful feel to it, but the  clerk with the pale off-white make-up seemed a bit odd. Checking our reservations, he reached behind the counter presumably to get the room key, but instead produced a bottle of seltzer and squirted me right in the face!

"What the hell!" I shrieked, wheeling around to see a lobby filled with men in baggy pants and floppy shoes, and Brandon aiming a pie straight at me.

"I've been meaning to tell you, Dad," said Brandon, "that I've finally made a career choice." 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

No clowning around, this is my weekly contribution to the Fabulous Friday Fictioneers and Clown School with picture prompt above and story below. I flounced in at 140 words this week, nothing to honk my horn about since the goal is a motley hundred.  

If you're ready for the Big Top, click on the link to sample the varied and daring acts of the many other Fictioneers to be found beneath.  

"Be a Clown?"  Well, Russell and I try.  And every now and then, maybe we succeed.

34 comments:

Sandra Crook said...

:) :) Full marks for originality.

Rochelle Wisoff-Fields said...

Dear Perry,
Now there's a young man who's following his dreams with vision and cream pie in hand. Funny. Although I'm not sure Dad is laughing.
Shalom,
Rochelle

nightlake said...

Humorous. Team Brandon all the way:)

Perry Block said...

Thanks, but a pie in the face and seltzer? I expect more from my clowns in 2013!

Perry Block said...

Better than he be the Bearded Lady!

Perry Block said...

I like that term. I hope I'm eligible to join "Team Brandon" too!

troy P. said...

Is this like coming out, but a clown car instead of a closet?

Perry Block said...

That's true, although some people are bi-clownal.

Anonymous said...

Can't say I expected anything like that!

Anonymous said...

And Dad said, "That's my Brandon always clowning around."

Great story. Loved it.
Randy

Maggie said...

What a great chuckle that induced, and a perfect way to introduce Dad to your chosen profession. Well done!

Here's mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/post-modern-ossuary/

brudberg said...

And I guess Dad is up to the task of being an understanding and supportive parent. Someone has to be target in pie throwing target practising,

Russell said...

Excellent, Perry. I loved this story so much I slammed a pie in my own face! Oh the fun we have making people smile. :)

Perry Block said...

Yeah, me either. At least you didn't get spritzed with seltzer and hit with a pie!

Perry Block said...

Thanks, Randy. I just hope my son has the academic record and SAT scores to get into a top notch clown school!

Perry Block said...

After this introduction to his career, I'm a little nervous about the girl he might bring home ...

Perry Block said...

The pie throwing isn't so bad, it's the dunk tank in winter I'm worried about!

Perry Block said...

Here, I'll wash it all off for you with this ....FIRE HOSE!!!

Anonymous said...

Very good, Perry. I think there's ONE career choice very similar to it ... we call it the news business. Well done! Fun.

Perry Block said...

No question about it, especially the way the news is practiced on Fox, MSNBC, CNN, your local news, ...

janet said...

It appears all the witty comments have already been made, so I can't even give you your just desserts. Ah, well...it was fun.

janet

Anonymous said...

great way to break the taste about his profession to dad ! ;)

Unknown said...

Haha! Just some good, creative fun there.

EL Appleby said...

I enjoyed your clowing around this week, Perry! Great fun :)

Anonymous said...

awww I wish it was longer! Loved it!

Perry Block said...

Don't need any more witty comments; just take a pratfall, and you can get out of here!

Anonymous said...

Lol..I never know what you will come up with week after week but I am certain it is always to be a delight!

Perry Block said...

Yeah, if the pie were lemon meringue instead of shaving cream!

Perry Block said...

Thanks, Chris. Hope he'll be making some good, creative money too!

Perry Block said...

Thanks, but what about the make-up? Do you love the make-up or what?

Perry Block said...

I do have a 556 page version. I'm sending it to you, Pam; can't wait to hear what you think!

Perry Block said...

I thank you! And want to marry you ...

Anonymous said...

LOL very unexpected. the pie on the face was an awesome touch. haha :)

Perry Block said...

Thanks. It worked so well, I'm going to include one in every post from now on!