This is an extremely short piece of writing I did for my university class, where we needed to write something as an example of subtext. Here’s the scenario we were given:
- There are two prisoners
- Its their final night before being executed
- They discuss everything but the execution
- Once we’ve done that, we add a different subtext
I’m not much of a descriptive writer, and I spent way too much time in class looking up the various methods of execution in the United States (hello FBI and ASIO agents watching my every move, I promise I’m just researching) instead of actually doing the writing. Also, I felt the scenario was a bit depressing, so I tried to add a bit of humour to the situation. This is what I came up with in ten minutes:
“Any plans for dinner tonight?”
Jack tilted his head to the side in thought.
“Well it’s a free meal, so I’m thinking a sirloin with red wine jus – medium rare of course – with twice cooked chips and a shit tonne of chicken salt.”
“What the hell are twice cooked chips?” Aster asked.
Jack had been waiting for the question.
“They get fried twice,” he said immediately, his mouth curled on one side as he pressed his lips together.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me.”
Jack shook his head, trying not to laugh.
“Nope. Its double fried chips for me.”
Aster snorted and threw his hands in the air.
“You’re such a dick, you know that?”
“Well what do you want for tea then?” Jack asked, raising an eyebrow.
Aster thought for a moment.
“Pufferfish.”
“Pufferfish?”
“Yes. Pufferfish.”
“Alright.” Jack felt his lips twitch. “Why?”
“They’re highly toxic,” he paused. “And mishandling one could result in an accidental lethal injection.”
Jack grinned.
“I’d like to handle your accidental lethal injection.”
Aster looked bemused.
“Really now?”
“Well, you only live once.”
My University Writing Journal 