writing community
Sign In Here | Lost Password | FREE Sign Up
E-mail: Password:
Remember login  
The place for writers:
Upload your writing in minutes, receive peer feedback from other writers, poets, authors, then get your work published out there in the real world.       Learn how other writers are doing it.

 
Chris Millar
Chris Hastie
United Kingdom, East Sussex, Eastbourne

Words: 249
Access: Public
Comments: 4

Forward to a friend
Print Version
E-mail this writer E-mail this user 
View Author profile
Add to Readers  




Idiot Savant

The studio was cold and dark. Arley stood in his place waiting for the show to start, his mother next to him coaching him on how to behave.

The lights came on, the theme music played, and the host walked on stage. She faced the camera and spoke ‘Welcome, to The Weakest Link’

The introductions started, Arley was first. ‘I am Arlington Tarrant from Salt Lake City I am 32 years old, I was born on.’

‘CUT’ The director’s bellow failed to stop him mid flow.

His mother intervened, instructing him exactly how to answer the question.

After another dozen takes they decided to cut his microphone when he was not being addressed.

Then as the other contestants gave their details; Arley echoed them, memorising as he mumbled to himself.

Thirty minutes behind schedule the quiz started. The first question was to Arley

‘What is the only film to ever win both the Oscar for Best Picture and the Golden Bear at the..’

‘Rainman’ he interrupted before the question was complete.

She moved on, Arley’s mike feed was cut, he muttered all the correct answers, beating the other contestants every time.

The first round over they banked $100, despite having reached the round limit of $5,000. The girl next to Arley got her answers wrong, distracted by his mutterings.

The voting over, the decision was unanimous, Arley was declared the weakest link. Leaving the stage he swore under his breath, blaming his mother for pushing him to do the show.

Want to comment on this Short Stories?
Sign up to Edit Red and you will be able to comment on Short Stories and get access to: Upload your own stories and poems, get readers and their feedback, promote your work...
Sign up






[Back to top]
Comments  
Rosie Sandler Comment by: Rosie Sandler - 2008-01-19 13:33
Add to Readers
      
So was he introducing himself in response to her welcome?

This man is so convincing, Chris. He was walking around for me - a big, bumbling sort of man, his lips never still. Great take on the theme/s. My only query is, whether a man like this would be more concerned with failing his mother, than with blaming her? I think he'd be really worried about her reaction - presumably she thought she was about to rake in his winnings.

'Then as the other contestants gave their details;' I'd change the semi-colon to a comma. And, after 'the decision was unanimous,' I'd change the comma to a colon.
Kendall20 Comment by: Kendall20 - 2008-01-17 15:37
Add to Readers
      
I watched a really interesting PBS documentary on Asberger's syndrome (the higher functioning autistics) and there was one young man that your arley really reminds me of. Very socially awkward, obsessed with details - such as an address. Very lovely story.
easywriter58 Comment by: easywriter58 - 2008-01-17 08:15
Add to Readers
      
This is quite different introducing a game show to show the savant's ability. Good take on the subject matter.
Arley Comment by: Arley - 2008-01-16 05:49
Add to Readers
      
Hilarious, Chris! Fooled me good. When it started with a stage I thought our belived MC was gonna sing and play, heh heh. Great take on both themes!
1

Sponsored Ads


By Chris Millar

Featured Writers

Advertising - Terms & Conditions - Short Story Submissions - Contact - Writing Competitions - Writing Links - Book Promotion - Sky-Tribe.com - alanemmins.com
  Member short stories, poems, comments and other contributions are owned by the poster.
Copyright 2003 - 2007 Edit Red I/S