Friday 17 April 2015

'The Price of Vanity' by Bernie Laverty



They all come to gaze and I love to see them. They don’t realise I see everything, every nuance, every flick of the hair, every expression in their quest for perfection. They can never resist a sideways glance, I am beguiling you see. Some are addicted to checking every day. They pout and stare analytically with no inhibitions to hinder their indulgence. I love these people, because I hold a secret they don’t know. They have no idea what I can do. Well there has to be a price doesn’t there? I am providing a service after all.

I always show the truth even when their look of disbelief touches my heart. I do feel sorry for some when I meter out my magic, but I try to do it slowly and gently, but not for the vain ones. I especially love inflicting a spot, usually septic yellow, surrounded by a red angry ring, just like Saturn. Or a blemish and worry lines that still manage to seep through thick layers of make-up, like annoying creases on a freshly ironed linen suit. Some have the audacity to try and mask the signs of age. They don’t understand that time cannot be camouflaged, so I give them a drooping eye lid or a frown, like a ploughed field, just to remind them. If I’m feeling really vindictive, I take their confidence too and then languish in their efforts to try and get it back.

So remember, the next time you gaze in the mirror and see a new wrinkle or a grey hair, this is the price you pay for your vanity and all mirrors charge.



FlashFlood is brought to you by National Flash-Fiction Day UK, happening this year on 27th June 2015.
In the build up to the day we have now launched our Micro-Fiction Competition (stories up to 100 words) and also our annual Anthology (stories up to 500 words).  So if you have enjoyed FlashFlood, why not send us your stories?
More information about these and the Day itself available at nationalflashfictionday.co.uk.

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