Contemporary story
On

The Star

When the world started to end, you were ashamed of yourself for weeping bitterly in your bedroom for an entire day. You saw the president crying and begging on TV and it sent you into a panic. You lay in bed with the blankets pulled up to your nose, crying, refusing to answer the door when the maid, your manager, your assistant, and finally your parents begged you to come out.

After twenty-four hours, your father took the door off its hinges and dragged you down the stairs into your sunken living room with the white carpet and leather couches. You kicked and screamed until he had to pick you up and carry you over his shoulder. You called him a motherfucker and threatened to take back the Mercedes you'd purchased for him last Christmas.

Your mother sat solemnly on the couch, her hands clenched into fists on top of the newspaper in her lap. She said it was all over.

You glowered and glared; you asked what the hell is happening, and will you still be on the talk show circuit next month?

The television stations are all color bars and static. Your father says that the talk shows are all gone, and not to worry. He tells you that there are far more important things happening right now. How can you not worry? You were supposed to debut your new fragrance next month to coincide with the release of your latest album.

Your mother tells you that the album isn't going to happen, and she clenches her fists even tighter than before. You can't believe what she's saying. How can she say that? There will always be an album, and there will always be television. You tell your parents they're idiots, and that this will all blow over in a few days, as soon as they replace that pussy of a president.

Your mother says that the world is ending. They dropped bombs, she says darkly.

There are diseases and radiation poisoning spreading all over the country, your father says.

Not in LA you shout defiantly.

Your mother holds up the newspapers one at a time. WAR is on the cover of each one, along with speculations on the doomed fate of the country, including LA. You feel sick, you're dizzy. You want to know what you did to deserve this, and how anyone could possibly do such a thing before you had a chance to accomplish the things that mean so much to you.

*

←2→

Two days later, your mother and father are discussing survival, and filling jugs with water from the tap just in case. Your father is worried about the electricity holding out. You sit in the living room wondering why all the servants quit the day before, and if your assistant is ever going to call you back. The only connection to the outside world is the radio, and it's hard to get real information between the crying and praying on almost every channel. On the pop station, the dj says over and over that it's only a matter of time. Your father tells you to switch to the AM band because they have more sense on AM, goddammit.

You hear reports of death and destruction all over the country, and all you can think is that you hope LA is okay. Even after reports of people dead in their cars, you imagine Rodeo Drive the same as it ever was, untouched by nasty things like war, sickness and death. How could a place a beautiful as Hollywood ever be destroyed? No one messes with LA, you say, and your father won't look you in the eye.

When the electricity goes out that night, your eyes fill with frustrated tears, and you light the scented candles you'd been saving for a special occasion. The radio runs on batteries, but they won't last long. Your father tells you to conserve them, and stop leaving the radio on so much. You tell him to shut up, and that you can afford thousands of batteries. The man on the radio says that much of the east coast is destroyed, along with Detroit and Chicago. He says that the radiation is coming west at an alarming rate, and you wish you had a map so you'd know what that meant. Instead of worrying, you get out that limited edition pink nail polish and give yourself a pedicure. It isn't until you spill the bottle, and nail polish gets all over the carpet that you realize you can't stop crying.

In the morning, your dad tells you that your mother is very sick, and he doesn't feel so well himself. You roll your eyes and tell them to take some pepto, but on the inside, you can't deal with the possibility of them dying and leaving you alone, so you go back to your room and sit in front of the window. Your yard looks the same. There is no death and destruction on your property, but you wonder what's changed outside of your front gates.

In the afternoon, you bring your four gold records and three Grammy awards up to your room so you can look at them. Your finger traces your name on the awards over and over, and you can't comprehend how someone who has accomplished so much in such a short time should be allowed to go through something as horrible as this. You're a star, for God's sake, you deserve better than this.

←3

Your father is calling your name in the hall. He sounds sick. His voice breaks repeatedly, and he's gagging between words. You don't want him to throw up on the carpet in the hall, but you keep your mouth shut. If he does, the cleaning woman will take care of it tomorrow. You pull the blankets up to your chin and close your eyes. Your father's voice sounds farther and farther away now as you clutch the Grammy close to your chest and squeeze your eyes shut.

Tomorrow you'll wake up and things will be better. Tomorrow you'll be on the Tonight Show, and be as charming as ever. Tomorrow your agent will apologize for not calling. Tomorrow you'll still be a star.

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Average: 5 (1 vote)

Comments

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/06/2010 - 15:11

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I agree about the use of profanity in the story. Ive had this argument with others and they say, "thats how the real world is" and I say, "Im reading SF for escape not for realism!". After years of subscribing to Asimov and Analog, I dropped them mostly due to the ever-increasing use of vulgarity in the stories. Id guess most people that use that language wouldnt miss it if it werent there. Other than that, nice story showing the self-centeredness of todays "ME" generation.

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/06/2010 - 15:26

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I couldnt find the inconsistency example another commenter made. Unless I missed it, the term "fallout" was never used. The radiation mentioned is different from "fallout". Neither did I see mention of "prevailing winds" or directions. Im in the mid-west and we get winds from all directions. Not a valid example in my opinion. Another commenter advised you needed to "organize thoughts". This persons world was falling apart, in deep denial and approaching insanity. I feel "organized thoughts" would have been incongruous.

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/25/2010 - 09:26

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the story ending is so pathetic, the stars arrogance and boastfulness drive her to believe that because she is a star she is so different from anybody else and immortal. if this is how all stars feel, superior to others, well i feel sick and more hateful than ever to stars.

Submitted by admin on Thu, 02/25/2010 - 12:43

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the ppl who loved this story should read nevil shute "the beach", same storyline, but far more haunting and tragic. Addresses the issues that really matter if we really do blow up the world by radiation.

Submitted by admin on Mon, 03/08/2010 - 16:44

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Hi, I liked your story...you did seem to cover some major themes that young people are divided over right now when it comes to their attitude on current young celebrities...self absorbed, unkind to parents, disrespectful, obsessed with material wealth, etc...this story shows a character who refuses to change this attitude even to the end of the world...scary thought. I think that you may be new to writing, and so may want to work more to refine your prose...however, you did give some significant details. But, just also keep in mind that the writers "voice" sometimes can say too much...in other words, we get a pretty clear feeling that you dislike this character very much and are almost glad to witness this terrible occurance causing her to lose the fame that was so important to her. You can sometimes be more subtle and still get this across. However, all in all, it was a memorable story. Good job

Submitted by admin on Sat, 03/27/2010 - 15:52

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Let me quote here "I dont get it"or even better "Im confused" Why are these people even reading stories off of this website? The story was well written.It was short,punchy and to the point! I mean really! For those of you who "dont understand" Get a life, an imagination and please learn how to read! I guess when you people were in college you didnt pay attention in English lit.You all were only concerned with taking "the easy way out"-getting a business degree. Its sad that alot of people out there dont get it.But thank God I do.Again GREAT STORY!

Submitted by admin on Wed, 04/07/2010 - 09:51

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good story. The famous young singer behaved like any other star would behave in a serious crisis such as the world coming to and end or a major earthquake, etc...
She is sort of selfish, probably a diva. She did brought her father an
expensive car. Although, I dont use
profanity but if I was in that situation, I would of had some emotional outburst somewhere in that
situation. One day youre alive and well, next day youre threatened w/
nuclear bomb and there is nothing you
can do to save yourself or your family.

Submitted by admin on Thu, 04/15/2010 - 15:11

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I think it was great because any "normal story" would have ended with her changing, thats why I think it is so good! Because it ended different and that is refreshing! and Im 15 people come on cut her some slack she did great writing it! i want more!!!!

Submitted by admin on Thu, 05/27/2010 - 09:28

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i loved it

Submitted by admin on Mon, 06/07/2010 - 18:54

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Read your story. wow, what a concept. Scary, and yet relevant.
UNFORTUNATELY- this fictional pop star sounds frighteningly close to how many of the young pop stars today think about life (or, at least, seem to, if you listen to their lyrics).

Your story is almost as scary as the film "idiocracy", except this pop star was not moronic, but narcissistic to the point of denying reality. Scary.

I hope you get to expand this into a longer story at some point, (or even a script for a short film, thatd really be something) and hope you continue writing. JC

Submitted by admin on Tue, 06/08/2010 - 04:58

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a agree with a previous comment below that
its like a skeletal, or an outline of a
bigger story. i dont feel anything. a cold
meal, ill say. it just have a good form
without a substance.

Submitted by admin on Mon, 06/28/2010 - 08:37

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Interesting concept but one ive seen before, the main problem I had with it was that the main character was not believable at all, I can buy the fact that people in that situation would would act differently but the behaviour towards her parents without the slightest spec of compassion I found out of place. Wonder what Freud would of made of the way it was written?

Submitted by admin on Tue, 06/29/2010 - 08:03

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I dont understand what it is trying to say. I also cannot get what the meaning of the story is or what it is talking about it doesnt have a propper opening explaning what is going on and who she is.

Submitted by admin on Tue, 08/24/2010 - 11:47

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This story was intriguing from the very beginning of it. An apocalyptic world with the pampered celebrities trying to deal with it is a remarkably effective idea. Watching the star struggle for survival was gives us a clear message of the egotisism of typical modern day celebrities. However, as most comments have said, you need to show the dislike of the character more subtly. The story loses its grip on the audience when it becomes that blatent. However, all in all it was a good short story, and I encourage you to keep it up.

-Cataclyptic

Submitted by admin on Tue, 08/31/2010 - 23:11

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For those of you who dont understand why the star is not compassionate or think her feelings arent relatable, think again. The first phase of dying is denial. In this case, we are refering to the death of the stars world of luxury. Thats why the star isnt showing any real compassion or worry. She cant let go of her perfect world, so she tries to fool herself. This really is a brilliant story and using second person was a clever literary device to use. Five stars.

Submitted by admin on Wed, 09/08/2010 - 23:28

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I like the story. An interesting choice of perspective. The point (if there must be one) is quite clear and the scenario, if not the circumstance, is very real.
Though I usually prefer more depth, the author has said what needed to be said—any more would just be unnecessary icing.
The story ends at a good point, leaving the reader with some considerations rather than the all too common “spelled out” ending.
The writing itself is very clean; one doesn’t require an education in hieroglyphics to get through it.
I say, nice job.

Submitted by admin on Fri, 09/24/2010 - 23:26

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Riveting and well-written. It reminds me
of Joyce Carol Oates "Where Are You
Going, Where Have You Been?"

The fact that she calls her father a
motherfucker tells much more about the
personality of the narrator than if she
had called him, say, "poopyhead."

Submitted by admin on Thu, 10/21/2010 - 21:53

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great story!

Submitted by admin on Thu, 01/06/2011 - 14:35

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I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I think that the main character is very believable, even if she isn’t showing much emotion. I found it more interesting when she actually did cry, because it made me feel more towards this character. I also liked the authors writing style, it was very unique because she made you feel like you were the main character. It was very well done.

Submitted by admin on Fri, 01/07/2011 - 12:13

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Oh, wonderful. Somehow this reminds me of moments in the life of a teenage daughter, fortunately now grown-up, married, and with children of her own. Ms. Claes wrrites succinctly and brings her character tellingly to light. Do they say girls will always be girls?

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