The Box Office Hit

49 Replies

 

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

My Ma always told me I was going to be a box office hit.

“Kid, with looks like that and the charm crawling out of your ears, ya can’t miss.”

I paid my dues, struggled for years.  Had a few ups.  Remember the guy catching the bass in that Blatz commercial that was popular in ‘68?  Yours truly.  But that was about the height.

Finally, though, I am a box office sensation that people fawn over.  Yes-sirree-bob, at 75 I’m a hit.

I’m that guy who sells you those Broadway tickets at a quarter price an hour before the show.

***

Word count = 100

Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.  This week’s prompt is here and uses a photo © Ted Strutz.  Read more or join in by following the InLinkz “linky“.

49 thoughts on “The Box Office Hit”

    1. trentpmcd Post author

      There are many more people who struggle their entire lives at the periphery of the business without making it. the MC here is one of those who finally has come to reconcile with the fact that he won’t make it.

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Some people just need to breath the theater air, even if they aren’t the star. I have met a few people who have lived their life one minor role in an out-of-the-way town after another, always employed and always a dollar away from starvation. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

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  8. pennygadd51

    It’s so difficult to make a career in the performing arts. Your protagonist seems to have needed that proximity to success; most take teaching roles – or jobs in unrelated fields – and participate in amateur productions. It may not be success, but the applause sounds the same! Good story, Trent.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      For a few years I housed actors who performed at a local theater. I think of one guy in his 60s who drove a 35 year old car his brother gave him 20 years ago when his last car died, living hand to mouth and loving every second of it – some just need eat drink and breath show business. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      You can’t always get what you want, but if you try, sometimes you find.. sorry, I skipped into the Stones for a minute. yes, he needed to be more specific or perhaps chased another dream after a while…

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Perhaps they should. I’m not sure if there has been a popular movie about a someone who struggled on the fringes of Hollywood for 50 or 60 years in a while, so here is a chance….

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      He should have had his reality check a bot sooner… I used to house people who came for a local theater and remember some of the actors coming in driving 35 year old cars that someone gave them 20 years ago, etc. but they wouldn’t change it for the world…

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Thanks. Maybe not a scalper – Actually, I was thinking of those legitimate places where some shows sell left over tickets at the last minute so they always have a full house. You can’t count on them, but if you are lucky, you can see a great show for a fraction of the full price.

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Something like that. Actually, I was thinking of those legitimate places where some shows sell left over tickets at the last minute so they always have a full house. You can’t count on them, but if you are lucky, you can see a great show for a fraction of the full price.

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