Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Self-Help

A hush descended over the room.  Anxiety rose up in her throat.  The introductions started.  If only she had had time for a drink.  She twisted her wrist toward her and looked down to check the time.  The floral pattern of the commercial-grade hotel carpet turned slowly in a blur below her.

The banquet hall was packed with people starving for her words.  She could see them through the narrow break in the partition; shuffling their chairs and napkins, scurrying at the last minute to return to their seats.  It was the same in every big city, every small town.  She was the reason this desperate bunch was in this ridiculous room and they did not want to miss one delicious bit.

In 57 minutes and 26 seconds, she would convince them that they should start over and the time to do so was now.  They simply needed to throw off their old prescriptions for new rose-colored glasses.  In five easy steps they would envision themselves as freshly-polished vessels, newly empty to receive all the positive pieces her plan had to offer.

Mulling over the program made her nauseous.  What kind of hotel bar does not serve alcohol until four o'clock?  Devon was going to have to handle the helicoptering hoard himself.  There was no way she was going to sit in the lobby and sign books today.  There was an entire case of autographed copies in the van.  In 57 minutes and 26 seconds, she was going to be upstairs in her room, manhandling the mini bar.

The lights dimmed over the room.  Adrenaline pulsed through her body.  The introductions ended.  If only she had had time for a drink.  She shifted her gaze toward the steps on the riser.  "Ladies and gentleman, it is with great honor and exceeding pleasure that I bring to you this afternoon, the one, the only, our Maven of Motivation, Savannah Joy Copeland!"


______________________________________________________________________________________

This piece is a work of fiction and was inspired by this week's the speakeasy writing prompt.  Click on the button below to read the prompt and the other talented writers who hang out there.  Thanks!


21 comments:

  1. I like how you captured the feelings involved in public speaking, as well as the tension between the speaker's topic and her inner turmoil. Nicely done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Natalie. I thought it was an interesting combination to conquer.

      Delete
  2. Wait! I thought public speaking was supposed to get easier with experience? Great piece. I could feel her anxiety!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, and motivational speakers are saints :) Thanks for readin!

      Delete
  3. Oh man, I loved this! What a bad example of a motivational speaker (or maybe she has two personalities!). Well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stacie, I am so glad! I am not sure...but I know I like this character enough to explore her some more.

      Delete
  4. What a great story! So many perfect little details.
    Awesome job!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Savannah Joy Copeland=perfect name for a motivational speaker :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I appreciate you noticing. I was quite pleased with the name, myself.

      Delete
  6. Great description of pre-presentation nerves.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the irony here. I love the 2 different sides to this character, and I'm willing to bet Savannah isn't even her real name. I would definitely want to read more!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too! She is definitely on my list to write more about. I have about five different "theories" about her. It is affirming to hear you would be interested.

      Delete
  8. I loved this! It made me think of the book Quiet, by Susan Cain about introverts. She writes about how even people who public speak for a living can suffer from paralyzing stage fright. Apparently, it is pretty common. You captured it perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Samantha. My husband is certainly an introvert. I should read the book with him, my reserved friends and my occasional Cancer tendencies in mind.

      Delete
  9. I want a drink, too. And I love the irony that the motivational speaker has barely any motivation herself...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow, I love this Kristin! Fabulous character! Love the repetition about having a drink - and I really love the idea of "manhandling the mini bar" - awesome job!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I want to know the truth about Savannah. I feel like she's hiding something.

    ReplyDelete
  12. You have captured well, the need of an alcoholic... this piece goes beyond stage fright. Some good lines in this one.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is great, the "big reveal" at the end. She's human, but she definitely doesn't want you to think she is!

    ReplyDelete