Slow Service (microfiction)
As a follow-up to my earlier post about my participation in the 2023 NYC Midnight 100-word Microfiction Challenge, I am sorry to tell you that I was eliminated in the second round.
Although the judges were clearly unimpressed by my attempt at a 100-word drama, I thought I’d share my failure with my followers and ask you for your honest opinions.
Go on! Comment! Be brutal!
BTW, I interpreted ‘drama’ as being either tragedy or comedy or both. What do you think?
Prompts:Genre: Drama
Action: Laying a table
Word: Previous
Six previous generations of his family had served the Belvederes.
It had taken Alfred considerably longer to set two places at opposing ends of the grand old table than when he’d learned his trade, as a boy.
“Pass the cruet, Alfred.”
“Yes, m’lady.”
Having complied, Alfred shuffled back to his seat.
He awaited his next instruction.
Seven minutes passed in silence.
“Take the plates and serve dessert, Alfred.”
No reaction.
“ALFRED!”
Still no reaction.
His lordship walked over and nudged the butler who promptly slumped to the floor.
“Good grief! He’s dead, Virginia!”
“How tragic! Who will serve dessert?”
