Tuesday September 2nd, 2008

The exercise:

Go here. Find a radio station that appeals to you and go to their website, the majority of which should have a 'now playing' listing. Use the next song title that appeals to you as your starter - it doesn't have to be your first line, just be the foundation for today's writing.

Mine:

Cold Driven - Heavier than heaven

Thomas wiped his mouth with the back of his over-sized right hand and let loose a belch saturated with chicken grease. He had begun his lunch two hours ago but he at last felt sated.

As he rose from his cumulus chair the angel Anthony materialized before him. Thomas sighed and rolled his eyes - he knew the lecture by rote now.

"Dear, dear Thomas," Anthony said without speaking, "you have been warned countless times, yet you continue to insist on indulging in this Gluttony."

Thomas could hear the capitalization of that silly word, could feel it settling into place around his neck like a pillory. What he did not notice was that he had sunk into the nimbus ground up to his ankles.

"You know it is one of the Seven Deadly Sins," Anthony continued. "We cannot allow this to continue."

"This heavenly food must be appreciated!" Thomas cried defiantly. "If it is not... what is the meaning of this?" He was now submerged up to his knees, he could feel the clammy cold inching up his thighs.

"You have been granted too many chances," Anthony said as Thomas began to flail about wildly, now waist deep; his bulging belly made him look like a demented fallen church bell. "We send you on your way this day, to the punishment your actions have made necessary."

"You can't do this!" Thomas screamed as he plunged suddenly to neck deep, the once comforting ground now clawing at his throat.

"Goodbye dear Thomas," Anthony said as Thomas began the final stage of the fall that had begun so many centuries before. He sped through the air, dropping to earth like an overripe fruit, threatening to burst before impact.

But his descent did not stop at ground level. Thomas fell through the cracks of the earth until he landed in the warm, welcoming dining hall of Lucifer, where a feast of fire awaited.