My Short Short for the Day

“Whoa Judy, trouble waking up?”  Sam laughed in his passive aggressive way.

Judy just smiled and nodded.  She was only on her 5^th cup and that’s what the coffee was there for.  He was so annoying.  Like he didn’t have anything better to do with his life than fuss about how much coffee people drank.  Besides, if he actually did any work, he might need some coffee, too. 

Judy sat down and reviewed her notes.  Not much gossip from yesterday.  Maybe someone else got some good stuff.  She browsed her usual sites looking for any new leads to follow and found a juicy tidbit about the famous actress, Stella.  Judy scribbled down the address, grabbed her coat and coffee and rushed out.  She was the first to arrive in the alley outside the office of the plastic surgeon to the stars.  Judy found a crate to sit down on and pulled out her phone.  After a long while, she heard the click of the door lock.  The actress emerged from the doorway wearing a wide brimmed hat, oversized sunglasses and a fur coat covering her from neck to ankle. 

Judy stood up and snapped a few pictures.  “Hi Stella, you look fantastic.  Can I get a few pictures?”

“Oh, I don’t know Judy.  I’m a little tired.”  Stella forced a pout.

“But my readers would love to see how wonderful you are looking.”  Judy said.  “It won’t take long.”

“Well, alright, I guess I can spare a few minutes.”  Stella posed, adjusted her hat, and posed again.

“How about with your sunglasses off?”  Judy said.  “You know how your fans love those baby blues.”

Stella smiled and took off her hat and sunglasses.  She fluffed her hair and posed again.

“Hey, Stella, over here.”  Jake strutted down the alleyway.

Stella turned and smiled posing.

“I was here first.”  Judy glared at Jake then stepped in front of his camera.  She quickly snapped a few more pictures.

“It’s a free country.”  Jake sidestepped her and snapped another photo.

Just then a limo pulled up at the end of the alley and Stella’s 6’5”, 250 lb. bodyguard stepped out.  I stepped back.

“Thank you so much Stella.  You look fantastic!”  Judy smiled her most winning smile.

Stella smiled casually and slipped into the back seat. 

As the limo drove away, Judy turned on Jake.  “How dare you butt in on my story!”

“Like I said, it’s a free country.”  Jake’s face was so smug.

Something in Judy just snapped.  Maybe it was too much coffee.  Or maybe she was tired of Jake constantly swooping in on her stories.  Whatever the reason, she’d had enough.  She walked over to Jake, stared him in the eye and slapped his face. 

“I challenge you to a duel!”  She blurted out.  “Tomorrow, on the Cliffs, at dawn!”  She stared him down then walked away.