Author's commentary: So this is my story for the "Writer's Roulette" contest. I chose 3H, mainly because it looked like a little devil with horns (sideways). It's supposed to be realistic, which I'm not entirely sure it is (feel free to criticize my realism) and it's supposed to be dialogue only. I thought I'd throw this out here now because i'm really not sure how well it follows the parameters (realistic, dialogue-only). If you want to know what the setting is supposed to be, you may ask me. I won't likely answer, but you may ask.
Peter: "Annie, wake up. Wake up. Annie. Annie. Annie!"
Annie: "Murg."
Peter: "We've got to go. Come on, get up."
Annie: "It's cold, I don't want to get up."
Peter: "You'll get warmer while we're walking, we have to go."
Annie: "Why?"
Peter: "Well, there are other people coming in and it'll get too crowded if we stay. Besides, we want to get there as soon as possible, right?"
Annie: "I guess. Why do we have to go at night?"
Peter: "Because then its warm when you fall asleep and you want to be awake for the fair at night, right?"
Annie: "When are we getting there?"
Peter: "Probably a week."
Annie: "How long is that?"
Peter: "Remember last Friday?"
Annie: "Yeah."
Peter: "Well it's the amount of time between last Friday and today."
Annie: "Oh, that's a long time."
Peter: "Yes, but we'll get to see all the lights and performers and shops."
Annie: "What are that man and woman doing?"
Peter: "Procreating."
Annie: "Can we stay and watch?"
Peter: "No, but I'm sure you'll get to do that someday. Let's go."
Annie: "But they look like they're - "
Peter: "Come on, we've got a long road ahead of us."
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Annie: "My feet are sore."
Peter: "Want me to carry you?"
Annie: "Ow!"
Peter: "Come on, up you get. Let's see your foot here..."
Annie: "Am I bleeding?"
Peter: "Nope, it's fine, you probably just struck a nerve on your big toe."
Annie: "It's really dark."
Peter: "The sun will come up in a minute, I think."
Annie: "Okay, can you carry me until then?"
Peter: "I will. We're gonna be stopping for the day when we get to the next camp, so we shouldn't have too much longer."
Annie: "Is that camp?"
Peter: "No, that's a tavern."
Annie: "What's that?"
Peter: "People go to taverns when they want trouble."
Annie: "Why is that man lying on the road?"
Peter: "He found trouble. Look, there's the sun coming up."
Annie: "Ohhh."
Peter: "Do you like that?"
Annie: "It's really pretty. Do they have things like that at the fair?"
Peter: "Sort of, but not as good."
Annie: "Can we see that again?"
Peter: "Yes, we can see it tomorrow. We can even see it disappear later today if you wake up early."
Annie: "I want to see that."
Peter: "I'll wake you up before it sets, then."
Annie: "You can put me down now."
Peter: "Oof, thank God. You're so big."
Annie: "Is that the camp?"
Peter: "Yes. Wait up, though. Hey! Wait for me, dang it!"
Annie: "It's got the cushy grass!"
Peter: "That's yarrow."
Annie: "Can I sleep here?"
Peter: "No, it's too close to the road. Let's go in a ways."
Annie: "Oh, look! A cauldron!"
Peter: "Ask the nice man if he'll share, Annie."
Annie: "Um, hi."
Cook: "Hello, little lady. Want some stew?"
Annie: "Yes, please."
Cook: "Be careful, it's hot. Would your father like some as well?"
Peter: "I'm actually her brother, but I would like some, please. How much for it?"
Cook: "It's free. I got everything from the land; might as well not put a price tag on it."
Peter: "Annie, what do we say to this generous man?"
Annie: "Thank you!"
Peter: "Thank you very much."
Cook: "You welcome, enjoy."
Annie: "Peter?"
Peter: "Yes?"
Annie: "How long 'til the sun sets?"
Peter: "Several hours. Look, a willow! Do you want to sleep under the willow tree?"
Annie: "Will you wake me up in time?"
Peter: "Of course."
Annie: "Oh! A willow!"
Peter: "I just said...never mind."
Annie: "Yay willow!"
Peter: "Be careful, there might be someone already sleeping there. Be very quiet and check."
Annie: "Hello? is there anyone sleeping in here?"
Peter: "Quietly!"
Annie: "Sorry. Anyone sleeping in here?"
Liza: "Yes, but it's alright if you two want to stay here, too. There's lots of room."
Annie: "Yay, we get to sleep under a willow! Can I sleep in the branches, Peter?"
Peter: "No, you'll fall off and die. Hi, I'm Peter, what's your name?"
Liza: "Liza. And what's the little princess' name?"
Peter: "That's Annie, she's my sister."
Liza: "Aw, she's so cute. How old is she?"
Annie: "I'm six and a half."
Peter: "Six and three quarters,"
Annie: "We're going to the fair!"
Liza: "Oh really? That's a long ways away still. What are you going to see there?"
Annie: "Lights and people and shops and dragons!"
Liza: "Well I hope you don't get too scared. Dragons have been known to eat little girls."
Annie: "Oh, I'm not afraid. I once fought an army of gypsies!"
Liza: "Really?"
Peter: "Well, sort of. She was kidnapped by gypsies when she was three. We caught up to them at the Canadian border and got her back, though."
Liza: "Oh, well that's good. My cousin got kidnapped earlier this year, but they haven't found him yet."
Peter: "Sad."
Liza: "Yeah, I'm going to Terrace to see if any of the gypsies in the fair have him."
Peter: "Hey, since we're going in the same direction, would you like to travel with us? We might be able to help look for him."
Liza: "Thank you, that's very kind, but I don't want to impose on you. Besides, you wouldn't know who to look for and, no offense, I don't trust people I've just met."
Peter: "Understandable. I'll say hi if we see you at the fair."
Liza: "Goodnight."
Peter: "Goodnight."
Annie: "Goodnight, Miss Liza."
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Peter: "I think she's avoiding me."
Annie: "Oh, look, a butterfly!"
Peter: "It's really awkward being around her. I mean, we walked side-by-side for three hours last night, then she got something in her shoe and was behind us."
Annie: "It's so pretty!"
Peter: "It creeps me out."
Annie: "The butterfly?"
Peter: "Huh? Hey, cool, a butterfly. Wait, oh! You've been...talking...about...um, nice butterfly."
Annie: "Is the sun setting yet?"
Peter: "Not yet, be patient."
Annie: "When do we get to the fair?"
Peter: "Tomorrow, if we go fast enough."
Annie: "Where's Miss Liza?"
Peter: "At the next camp, probably."
Annie: "Can we sleep with her?"
Peter: "Probably not, I think she wants to be left alone and familiarity breeds contempt."
Annie: "I like her. I'll ask if I can sleep with her."
Peter: "You can ask. She'll probably let you."
Annie: "Is that her up there?"
Peter: "No, I don't think...oh, holy cow it is! Liza! Are you okay? What happened?"
Liza: "I'm fine. Don't come any closer."
Peter: "But what-"
Liza: "Run. Get away from me."
Peter: "But are you-"
Annie: "Miss Liza, are you alright?"
Liza: "Annie, don't come any closer to me."
Annie: "But you're bleeding!"
Liza: "Get away, get away from me."
Peter: "Who did this to you?"
Liza: "A man. His dog bit me and he stole my backpack."
Peter: "We need to get you to safety."
Liza: "He's going to come back. He told me to stay right here or he'd kill me."
Peter: "Well, I guess you'll have to stay right here. I'll be back."
Liza: "Wait, Peter! Don't go! Take Annie! Annie, go with him."
Annie: "But your leg, Miss Liza. I'll bandage it up for you."
Liza: "No, you have to leave. I don't want you endangered."
Annie: "I'm not afraid, Miss Liza. I once fought an entire army of gypsies and won. Hold still, Miss Liza!
Liza: "You need to leave! You can't stay here, you'll be killed!"
Annie: "No I won't. Hold...still!"
Liza: "Ow!"
Annie: "There, it's perfect."
Liza: "Oh, ow, that hurts so much. Hang on, what was that?"
Annie: "I don't know, I got it from the forest. Peter told me they help with swelling."
Liza: "I mean that noise. It sounded like someone yelling."
Annie: "Oh, that's probably Peter. He goes crazy sometimes."
Liza: "Crazy?""
Annie: "Like a mole."
Liza: "Like a...uh alright. What is that flower you just put on my leg?"
Annie: "I told you, it helps with swelling."
Liza: "But I'm bleeding."
Annie: "It's going to help one way or another. The bandage is for the bleeding anyhow."
Liza: "I need to get to a doctor."
Annie: "Peter!"
Peter: "Hey, let's get Miss Liza to camp, shall we? There will probably be a doctor there."
Liza: "What about the man with the dog?"
Peter: "Oh, he's not coming back. I had a nice talk with him. Here's your backpack."
Liza: "How did you get it back?"
Peter: "Negotiation. Let's go."
Liza: "Did you give him something?"
Peter: "Come on, it'll be light soon. Annie, you can see the sunrise again!"
Annie: "Yay!"
Liza: "Peter, what did you do?"
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Annie: "Are we there yet?"
Peter: "No."
Annie: "Are we there yet?"
Peter: "Nope."
Annie: "Are we there yet?"
Peter: "Look Annie, a unicorn!"
Annie: "What? Where? No, it's just a regular horse."
Peter: "How do you know?"
Annie: "It's got a rider. Unicorns are much too stuck up to have riders."
Peter: "Good point. Hey, look,we're two miles away from the fair!"
Annie: "Two miles? That's so long!"
Peter: "Tell you what, we'll go one mile and I'll carry you the rest of the way. Sound good?"
Annie: "I guess. Is Miss Liza angry at us?"
Peter: "Oh, no, Miss Liza's angry at me."
Annie: "Why?"
Peter: "'Cause I didn't tell her what I did to that man."
Annie: "Why didn't you tell her?"
Peter: "I don't like telling strangers about what happens when I go crazy."
Annie: "Miss Liza's not a stranger, is she?"
Peter: "I..."
Annie: "I like her. You should tell her so she's not mad at us anymore."
Peter: "But what if she thinks I'm dangerous?"
Annie: "She's already avoiding us."
Peter: "That's true, but she could try to kill me."
Annie: "Nah, she likes you."
Peter: "How do you know?"
Annie: "She told me."
Peter: "She was talking about me? Does she like me like-"
Annie: "Ponies!"
Peter: "Um, yes, there are ponies."
Annie: "Can I ride one?"
Peter: "Maybe the nice man will let you."
Annie: "Yay!"
Peter: "I thought you said your feet are sore!"
Annie: "Ponies make everything better! Can I ride one?"
Pony Herder:"Only for a little while. These aren't even my ponies, I'm just transporting them."
Peter: "How far?"
Pony Herder: "Across the road, so make it quick."
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Annie: "You can put me down now."
Peter: "Are you sure?"
Annie: "Yes. Is the fair starting?"
Peter: "Not yet. It will start later tonight. Do you want to sleep?"
Annie: "Will you wake me up for the fair?"
Peter: "Of course."
Annie: "Don't forget."
Peter: "I won't."
Annie: "Will you tell me a bedtime story?"
Peter: "Which one do you want to hear?"
Annie: "You pick one."
Peter: "How about the one about the cup of water came to life?"
Annie: "Okay, but you have to use the muffin voice."
Peter: "What? Mit's smo mard moo mell maht mime smaying mwen Mi muse muh mufffin moife."
Annie: "Muffin voice! Muffin voice!"
Peter: "Mangit. Mokay, munce upmon a mime, mew...oh wow, you're asleep. That was fast."
Liza: "Hey, Peter."
Peter: "Daa! Miss Liza...I mean, Liza!"
Liza: "You left me back at camp, Peter. You ditched me."
Peter: "And I'm really sorry I did, but I thought you would need awhile to heal."
Liza: "And you couldn't stick around?"
Peter: "I thought you were mad at me and you might not want me around when you woke up."
Liza: "Well, I am pretty ticked off, but I'm not so much angry at you as frustrated that you didn't tell me what happened."
Peter: "I killed the guy, okay? It was accidental, I only meant to kill his dog."
Liza: "How did you kill him? He was three times your size!"
Peter: "I don't know, it happened really quickly and he got buried under some rubble from his house."
Liza: "His house fell down?"
Peter: "I helped."
Liza: "You destroyed--"
Annie: "Murg."
Peter: "It's okay, Annie, go back to sleep."
Annie: "Mm."
Peter: "I was really angry, Liza. When I get like that I lose control sometimes and black out. When I come to, it's like a tornado struck. I didn't want to tell you because I knew you'd freak out like this."
Liza: "I'm not freaking out! If you would just tell me things instead of leaving me alone in a strange place with strange people we might not have this problem!"
Peter: "Liza, wait-"
Liza: "I'm going into town. Don't follow me."
Peter: "But-"
Annie: "Don't worry, she'll come back. She likes you."
Peter: "Were you awake this whole time?"
Annie: "Yup."
Peter: "I wondered why you dropped off so quickly. Look, the sun's setting. Should we wait for Miss Liza or just head on in?"
Annie: "We should go in and you should get her a flower."
Peter: "What for?"
Annie: "She likes daffodils."
Peter: "Okay, but she said she doesn't want us to follow her."
Annie: "She doesn't want you to follow her. I can, though."
Peter: "That's brilliant!"
Annie: "Yes. Then we can help her find her cousin."
Peter: "Do you know where he is?"
Annie: "No, why should I know?"
Peter: "No reason. Let's get going before the road gets too dark."
