Short Stories to Get the Mind Going #2 - "Pizza Man"
Here is the second short story I will be releasing!
This piece was lucky enough to have art done by local friend/foe Gabe Stoddard! He is a talented artist in the Boston area for comedy, graphics, video, etc. You can also catch him as the co-host of "Midway or the Highway" open mic (for comedy) every Sunday night from 9pm-2am at Midway Cafe in Jamaica Plain, MA.
Again, please disregard any writing errors due to this being a free write to get the gears turning. ENJOY!
Pizza Man
Just one more piece and ill be done.
I think I’ve been saying that for the last few slices. This pizza should be a sin it’s so damn good.
No one else to blame but myself. Probably shouldn’t of ordered 5 larges, but how can you pass up a deal as good as 4 large pizzas, any toppings, and the 5th is free? I’d be an idiot not to take advantage. its surprising they are still in business with that bargain.
This is the 6th time in the past 2 weeks I’ve taken Pino Pizzeria up on this. no telling when they’ll realize how much they’re losing out on and get rid of it.
that one did it. “another notch on the ol’ belt.” hahaha… that joke never gets old. even if I've lost the ability to wear a belt. thats right! graduated to rope! Tried bungee cord at first, but the little hooks kept cutting up my love handles.
sitting back I push the empty pizza box to the floor. allowing it to join the many that came before it. my own personal collection of cardboard trophies from my oral accomplishments. their smell permeates the room.
-Burp-
that cleared some room. the thought of a fresh slice taking over my mental. nope! I'm going to be stronger then he urge this time. maybe the TV will help.
-Click-
“Oven fresh to order every single time.” figures… the visual of that sweet, saucy, circle makes my mouth and eyes water… “Nope, no!” I tell myself as i flick to the next channel.
“When pizzas on a bagel, you can have…” I turn the channel before it can finish.
the screen flickers, a man’s back fills the over priced rectangle in front of me. “don’t move a muscle.” he says as the camera begins to pan out. “put the remote down.” his head is tilted slightly down as it comes into frame.
I keep the remote in my hand.
“I said… put the remote down” his head starts to raise up. “I’m talking to you, the fat fuck with all the pizza stains on his barely kept together shirt.”
my hand trembles as I drop the remote to the ground.
“good. I’ve been watching you for some time now.” the camera moved far enough back now that the whole shape of the individual talking is all I can see. the figure starts to turn around. “and I have to say… you disgust me.” his face becomes visible.
he appears to be some type of important person. black slicked back hair, tailored black suit, piercing eyes that match. “how can you just sit there and… grow?”
he smirk taking over the lower half of his face after this statement is like an ice pick to my self esteem. granted I have little of that left, but it still feels the fresh chip being taken off.
“who… who are you?” is all I’m able to get out as I can feel my heart start to race. The man is now approaching the camera.
“I’m your saving grace. you might call me your… guardian angel.” there's that smirk again. “I’ve decided to make my presence known, in an effort to correct your ways.”
with this his foot comes through my TV screen, planting firmly in an open pizza box. the rest of him follows without hesitation. “That’s better.” his nose perks. “Good God! the smell is wretched.” he kicks a few boxes around. taking out his pocket square, he covers his nose and mouth.
“what do you want?” my heart is beating faster and faster.
“I’ll get to that soon. You really cant smell that? your tolerance for filth must be high. I’ll have to make this quick.” the dark stranger reaches in his pocket for something. “I hope you’re ready. this will change everything for you.”
as his hand starts to crest out of the top of his pocket my left arm goes numb. “ahhhh!!” my right hand shoots up to my chest. the pain is ruthless.
I can see through the tears welling in my eyes that the man takes a step closer.
my body goes straight in the recliner. spit is forming around my mouth.
“I guess you wont be needing my assistance after all.” the stranger turns. lifting his foot up and back through the screen of the TV.
my fingers are clenching my chest so hard that the nails break the skin.
once his body is fully back into my entertainment box, the screen goes black.
followed by everything else.