What's in a Face? A Valentine WEP

Sometimes we fall in love with a face, not knowing what's behind it. A dangerous proposition. . .

She Wore Red

As he arrived at the cafe, he saw a woman look up at the door. He couldn't take his eyes off her face.The red scarf was draped around her neck, as she had told him it would be. Her black leather jacket molded to her shape.  She had called earlier, asking him to meet her at Cozmo's.

He remembered Veronica Lester, the local girl who changed her name. She used to sing at the jazz club, but left when she was offered a contract in New York. She came back a few days ago, at the same time her ex-partner at the club went missing.

"I'm Jarvis, you called me earlier today. . ."

"Yes, I hear you're good at what you do."

"I am. I'm a private investigator. You want to hire me?" Her red lipstick made her look  dangerous.

"Yes, I want you to find a friend of mine. I can't go to the police. I'm afraid he's dead."

"Tell me more.  What's your real name?"

"Veronica Lester is my legal name; years ago, I was Vickie Rasmussen."

"Well, Ms. Lester, what is your connection to this person you want me to find?"

"He was an old friend that I promised to keep watch over. If he's dead, I need to know."

"Did you say your name was Vickie?"

"Ah, the light brightens?"

"I do remember the name, and I heard you went to the big city to make a name for yourself."

"Of course, I wanted a career and a recording contract. My ex-partner was  negotiating a future booking at the jazz club, Smoke, in New York. A couple of days ago, he dropped out of sight."

"What's in it for you, if I find this guy?"

"The truth? Money. He owed me back pay, and the Smoke gig was going to be my ticket into the world of New York jazz and blues."  

"I see. How much are you paying me?"

"Enough. What do you charge?"

"That depends."

"I have cash. And, I really need your help."

This dame liked to spar. But, she had cash. If it wasn't for that face and those lips, I'd turn her down.

"I'll do it."

To be continued. . .

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A Face from the Arc de Triomphe sculptures, Paris, by DG Hudson

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February Theme: What's in a Face? 
A Valentine's Day excerpt

Learn more about WEP at Denise Covey's - Write Edit Publish. This is a monthly themed bloghop with the purpose of getting us to write more, share photos and poetry, and jumpstart a few short stories. Check it out, you might be intrigued. Word count is limited to 1000 words or thereabouts. My entry is once again the seed of another story.

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What's your opinion on Valentine's Day? A Hallmark institution or a chance to be romantic? Do you try to read a person's face to determine if you can trust them?

Please share your thoughts in the comments. I'm always listening.

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References:

LIE TO ME - a TV show, now off the air. The show is inspired by the work of Paul Ekman, the world's foremost expert on facial expressions and a professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California San Francisco, School of Medicine. Jim Roth's character in Lie to Me, a tv series, was based on Paul Ekman.

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http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/   Denise Covey's site, info on WEP

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Ekman   Paul Ekman, and Facial Expression Studies

WEP Beginnings: Fall In, Take Me Away, and Lookout Rock

Hosted by Denise Covey at Write-Edit-Publish 2014

Three women, three cities, three stories. . .

Fall In

The sailing ship, The Jolly Roger, bobbed in the waters of Schooner Cove in old Key West. I sat in the bar nearby sipping iced tea. I would be on that tall-masted beauty the next morning. I had gone as far as I could go on land. 





Tour Boat in Schooner Cove, Key West FL, by D G Hudson

"Leave the city behind," they said, "and sail away to a different harbor. It will help you to forget. Give yourself time to heal."

A new harbor? Perhaps. A new identity, a new face, they'll never know what happened to me, that woman who fell overboard. . .during the midnight astronomy cruise. It may just make the morning news.

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Take Me Away

The Open Road, River, or Ocean

PARIS - Seine River Tour Boats and Bridges, by D G Hudson

As I gaze at the Seine River from the Pont D'Iena, I don't regret what I have done. My past life is gone forever. My family, my work, all gone. I wish the river would take me away too, but I have a few things to do first.

In this, my new beginning, I burned the letters which would incriminate others. There were worth a fortune. But there is one more, an important one. The Paris letter is hidden in the lower levels of the Louvre, in one of the statues in Antiquity. 

I know which one. . .

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Lookout Rock

Winter in British Columbia Interior, by DG Hudson

A burst of light caught my attention as it reflected off the white crystals of the snow covering the ground. Another day of low temperatures and cold grey skies, I thought as I looked out the window. In the early morning light, I could see Lookout Rock at the top of the hill. Like a sentinel it stands. 

It's been a week now, but every day seems the same. It's too quiet. I know it takes time to be comfortable in a new place. I know that. I've done this before. . .that doesn't make it any easier. 

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Write-Edit-Publish (WEP)
First Entry January 2014

Joining this month's Write Edit Publish, is a new beginning for me. I'm testing the fit, since I'm trying to gather some short fiction ideas, and perhaps work some of them into stories. I'm eager to read the other entries and perhaps meet new bloggers or old friends.

WEP-Denise Covey's monthly bloghop is appealing because of the flexibility. Bloggers are expected to reciprocate if they want feedback, or just comment and visit the other participants. Denise has a widget in her sidebar (on WEP page) that bloggers will update when they post their entry. Don't forget, a different challenge once a month keeps the creative side of the brain happy.

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Please let me know you were here in the comments. These story snippets illustrate that, unfortunately, not all new beginnings are good ones. Thanks for stopping by! 

Do you participate in WEP or other monthly bloghops? 
To learn more to access the list of participants, check Denise's WEP site)

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