Myshuno! 2012 Prompt: “Winding a clock” (311 words)

[esmeiolanthe]

The prompt for this story was “Winding a clock,” submitted by silverbelle1220. This story fits into the current chapter of Already in Progress.

Rating: G



Dramatis Personae

Isaac Clemens, new to the family.

Frederic Miller, his fiancé.

Edgar Miller, Frederic’s father.

Celeste (Kalson) Miller, Frederic’s mother.

Setting

The living room, after dinner. The family is playing “house rules” charades. Celeste has just guessed Isaac’s charade.

ISAAC: “Skinning a deer” is absolutely correct, ma’am. You’re up. Category: Something you do every day at work.

(Celeste stands)

EDGAR and FREDERIC (together): Planning a hostile takeover.

ISAAC: But she hasn’t even started yet.

EDGAR: It’s what she always does for that category.

FREDERIC: And she’s never actually executed one.

CELESTE: I do plan them, though! On my coffee break.

FREDERIC: Come on, give her another category.

ISAAC: Okay. Um, something that needs to be done every day.

(Celeste goes up to the front; Isaac sits)

CELESTE: Something that needs to be done every day. (ponders) Got it!

(Celeste looks at a spot in midair, just above her eye level, then at her bare wrist, then at the spot in midair again. She reaches out with her index finger about level with where she’s been looking, and twirls her finger in a largish circle repeatedly, first fast, then slowing to a stop. She looks at the spot, then at her wrist, then at the spot. Using her thumb and index finger, she makes a small adjustment, perhaps fifteen degrees. She compares the air to her wrist one more time, smiles, and turns to the audience.)

FREDERIC: What was that supposed to be?

CELESTE: Oh, come on - it’s easy!

(Edgar, Frederic, and Isaac look at each other and indicate bafflement)

CELESTE (disbelievingly): Winding a clock! (repeats motions as she talks) See? I see the time’s off, I wind it by spinning the minute hand, I check, I set the right time, and I’m done!

EDGAR: You wind clocks with keys. Like this. (mimes turning a clockwork key rather lower in the imaginary clockface)

CELESTE: Not the one we had when I was a kid! You spun the minute hand.

(Frederic and Isaac stare at one another uncomprehendingly)

FREDERIC: You have to wind clocks?

ISAAC: I thought you just plugged them in.