Pretend you see five different people you know while shopping at the grocery story. Two are friends, two are former co-workers, and one is your arch-nemesis. You have to introduce each person without giving backstory.
“Hey, Cath!”
“Hi, hows things?”
Liz marched towards me with a few items in her hands.
“Sorry, but I can’t stop at the moment. Mum’s asked me to pick up a few things, then I’ve got to get the boys to football. We’ll catch up on Saturday, yeah?”
“Sure, have a good weekend.”
Liz rolled her eyes then was on her way again.
I continued adding yoghurts to my basket when I noticed Amanda Lowe, browsing items on the other side of the aisle.
“Hi Amanda, long time no see.”
“Hi, how are you?” Amanda asked with a smile. “What’s it been, two years since you left?”
“Yeah, how time flies.” I smiled in return. “How are you and the kids?”
“We’re all doing better now things have settled into a routine with their dad and his new family. How about you?”
“Yeah, we’re all fine.”
The small pause told me we had reached the limit of our conversation.
“Well, I’ll leave you to it, Amanda. Take care and say hi to everyone for me.”
“Sure, I’ll tell them I saw you. Bye!”
As I turned into the next aisle I nearly bumped into Vicky.
“Beep beep,” she hollered. “Not doing anything interesting today either, then?”
“No, it’s the first chance I’ve had to get some shopping done this week. Are you still mowed under at work too.”
“Yeah, as usual I’m the only one who seems to be able to get things done. Are we still on for drinks this Saturday?”
“Yeah, sure, I need some down time.”
“Ok, see you at seven then.”
“See you later.” I sang back at her.
Everyone must be in this supermarket today, I thought. I browsed the shelves as I tried to decide whether to have pasta or rice for dinner. After settling on the rice I looked up again only to see Martha King and my heart sank. She hadn’t seen me so I opted to keep my head down and tried to sneak passed her unnoticed, no such luck.
“Cath”, she she exclaimed with glee. No doubt she was dying to tell me something. I tried to pretend I couldn’t hear her.
“Cath, it’s me, Martha from Somerset’s.” Martha forced herself into my line of vision.
“Oh…hi”, I forced a smile while I inwardly grimaced.
“Oh, I have so many things to tell you!”
“I’m sorry but-“
“You know that thing that we always suspected about Lucy. Well it turns out it’s true! She was caught stealing supplies from the stationary cupboard last week!” Martha launched into her story.
“Oh, dear.” I kept it brief as I knew I’d be stuck here all day if I showed even the slightest interest.
I had to miss the arch-nemesis as my fifteen minutes are up. I’ll save that prompt for another time.
