Penny Apiece

For a long time now, I've had those two words stuck in my head, bouncing around from one side to the other. They don't really mean anything (as of yet) but I get the idea that I'd really like to build a story around them, perhaps something steampunk or urban fantasy. What do you guys think 'penny apiece' refers to? Is anyone else getting the spark of inspiration?

'Lo Gyr. ^_^

Er, yes. I don't suppose I could steal them from you...? ^_~ But a bit more to the point, I don't know what they refer--can't say I've any linear thought. They're the type of words I'd simply set on a page at the top, and start writing below....

(Though honestly, 'penny apiece' somehow makes me imagine something like microchips--dubbed 'pennies'--either stolen; or perhaps assigned. Everyone with a 'penny' in their wrist. Illegal messing with them, changing them... If they were identity chips or some such thing.)







IMP

Penny apiece thoughts...



Ooh, shiny!

Buy lunch with it.

Who's got the penny?

A group of people, and each one's got a penny apiece?

What are they, soldiers? In a country where they take a penny instead of a shilling when they join up?

A girl called Penny, and she's in pieces. Maybe she's got Multiple Personality Disorder? Lots of pieces of her?

Loads of clones, and they're all called Penny?

Everyone has a penny? Everyone's rich? Everyone's poor?




... I could go on, but is this the sort of thing you want?

Yes, yes, this is wonderful! You're both geniuses--keep it going!

A few ideas of my own:

A low-rent assassin who gets paid a penny for each assassination...or puts a penny on each of his victims (in their mouths, in their pockets?).

Sharpened pennies used as weapons?

An old, grubby man in the street, selling second chances for a penny each?

Keep it going, this rocks!

Wow. I like your assasination idea, I'd definatly read that. I'd probably finish it in a day if the writing is good (I haven't read any of your writing.. I don't think...)
The first think that comes to my mind is based off of a poem that I wrote for NaPo called garage sale of memories.

A penny for each memory.

All I got, love the assasination one. it rockx.

Oy, more? But haven't you got to light on one, at the end? ^_^'

...Penny, a piece--penny could be a slang scrap that kids used for souls--or for the "other" that is inarguably present in humanity. Pennies, then, in pieces--broken people.

Penny Apiece--suppose it could also be about things being worthless. Perhaps a game, or a system in which 'pennies' are given, token pay or recompense nearly mocking in its lack of value.

A game that goes with a nursery rhyme, 'penny a'piece, penny a'piece. drop me hand if 'tis slick with grease...'

Something almost meaningless...but suppose those with grease-hands do something particular; perhaps work below ground, in clockwork; or gov. men.


Ha, oy, 'tis too much fun to think up arbitrary threads for a tale. ^_^





IMP

Well, the idea is that I shall light on one, but I rarely ever use just one story idea to a story. Gypsie Eyes is about three or four. And anyway, other people can use these too!

You won't hate me for this?

A girl who slips a penny to anyone she likes. I know, it's stupid.

Tis not stupid!

I should like to thank all of you for you invaluable help--this has now begun to take a foggy kind of shape in my head, and there's a character named "Tuppence" who is a nearly direct result of one of Imp's ideas, about penny=soul...

Can I give you advice? Don't call your character that. It is an English slang word which means a certain part of a girl's anatomy.

It's an oldish word, Heidi...

What about Thrippence, Gyr? Or Ha'penny (HAYP-nee) with half a soul?

Whoops, didn't know, shall have to, erm, take care of that...

Heidigirl666 wrote::shock:

Can I give you advice? Don't call your character that. It is an English slang word which means a certain part of a girl's anatomy.

Oy, that's, er, true...but it's also the name of a brilliant Agatha Christie character. Never read Tommy and Tuppence mysteries, my friend?
















IMP