Today's guest is new to our blog so please welcome Michael D Smith with a peek into his book, Comm Wealth.
Excerpt:
Rule One - You are free to enjoy the chosen object for thirty days. During this period no other person may request it.
Rule Two - The requestor is untouchable for thirty days by the person asked. Attempts at retaliation, such as demanding unusually large quantities from the original requestor after the thirty-day period, carry stiff penalties.
Rule Three - Once you ask somebody for something, you can never ask him or her for anything else again.
Rule Four - You can never ask for the same thing back from the person who got it from you, not even after his or her thirty days of enjoyment.
“You know... everything’s free...” Allan blurted.
“Well, of course everything’s free, Allan,” Jill said. “You really don’t have to give me anything for the refill, you know.”
“Well, if everything’s free, why don’t people go after what they want?”
“Well... they do,” Richard said. “Like, people were a little shy through about October, but after that... hell, you know how everyone’s getting whatever they want. I mean, it’ll be
a miracle if Steve gets back here with both the Volvo and the lumber.”
“Well, he’ll have the lumber,” Lisa said, “because he has thirty days to enjoy that. But he might be dragging it back on foot, that’s for sure.”
“No, he’s resourceful. He’ll get that truck!” Jill laughed, hand going to her magnificent breast.
“No, you know that’s not what I’m talking about,” Allan said. “I’m talking about what people really, deep down, want.”
“Well... I guess...” Jill said. “I mean, of course, at that level it’s not material things... that you want...”
“That’s... right...” Richard said, probing for her eyes.
They finally clicked on his for half a second.
“Right! Obviously!” Allan said. “So why don’t we have the guts to go after what we really do want?”
“Well... sometimes I guess we do... screw up the courage...” Jill whispered.
“Lisa, what do you think?” Allan demanded.
Lisa looked at the floor. “Well... sometimes... there are good reasons... for not... for not...”
“See... deep down,” Allan gulped, “I want Lisa!”
Everyone looked at the floor. Lisa turned to the front windows, chin high, as if she hadn’t heard a word.
“If everything’s free, why not Lisa?”
“What?” Lisa gasped.
“Why don’t I go after what I really want? It’s all so simple! And, look, I have two witnesses, Richard and Jill!”
“What?” Richard and Jill cried together.
“It’s simple! Lisa, I hereby ask—for you!” Allan grinned. “It’s really so simple! She has to be mine!”
Lisa whirled off her stool. “I can’t believe this! Allan, you’re crazy!”
“No, you have to give yourself to me! Isn’t that right, Jill? Richard?”
“Well... well, no, Allan... you’re joking!” Richard said.
“I’m not joking! Lisa, you’re mine, that’s all there is to it!”
Lisa’s eyes were wide with fear and disgust.
“Lisa, he’s—just joking,” Jill said.
“I’m leaving. Goodbye,” Lisa said. Allan stood and caught her wrist.
“Dammit, Allan, this is stupid!” Richard said, coming off his own stool.
“Look, I don’t care what anyone thinks!” Allan said. “I’ve made up my mind! It’s Lisa I want! And she’s mine! She’s mine!”
“Let me go!” Lisa moaned, jerking free.
hhmmm...definitely sounds different and intriguing. Thanks for sharing Michael!
Michael D. Smith was raised in the Northeast and the Chicago area, before moving to Texas to attend Rice University, where he began developing as a writer and visual artist. In addition to exhibiting and selling paintings and drawings, he’s completed fifteen novels.
Smith’s writing in both mainstream and science fiction genres uses humor to investigate psychological themes. On his blog, he explores art and writing processes, and his website contains further examples of his writing and art. He is currently Technology Librarian for McKinney Public Library in McKinney, Texas.
CommWealth is his first novel published by Class Act Books.
Find out more about Michael at:
Website: , www.sortmind.com
Hope you enjoyed the spotlight and that you'll check back regularly for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until next time good luck and God's blessings!
PamT
