I'll Never Forget by DragonSkulls The One That Got Away writing prompt entry |
I worked tirelessly for nine days, composing a masterpiece for a contest. Hours of unforgiving discipline, forcing myself to carry on. I gave up precious, needed sleep that wore heavily on my job. Not to mention my duties as a father and a husband. My children begged for attention, "Please, Daddy, acknowledge our existence." But I simply couldn't, the deadline was drawing near. I wouldn't even turn my head to look at them as they wept. My wife threatened divorce as she ran into the bedroom, slamming the door, knowing she'd be spending yet another night in the empty loneliness of our bed. I frantically searched the internet to find the perfect picture to accompany the piece. Then there it was, the perfect sunset, landscape, colors, the perfect everything. I almost fainted from the sheer gloriousness of its magnificence, or perhaps the lack of sleep and nutrition, I wasn't sure. Two minutes before time ran out is when I finally clicked 'Release.' I promoted it up to eighty cents but still miles from the glorious front page. I spent every penny promoting, hoping it would get the praise it so richly deserved. I waited in anticipation for reviews to come pouring in, all those dear, sweet reviews. My dream was to reach the divine "Well Received" list. There, it would so brightly shine amid the highest of ranking members. I would bask in the essence of its glory. I waited on bended knee. My second review was a precious sixer. I nearly wept with excitement. Six more reviews followed, each offering fives. They so graciously wished they had a six left to give but sadly, frowny face, :( they didn't. I got my eight reviews and one was a sixer, though, so I knew I was going to reach the "Well Received" list. I jumped and danced, praising the heavens. I was going to make "Well Received." Then came the FanStory message telling me my dreams had come true. I was on THE FRONT PAGE. I was ecstatic. The veins pulsating through my head nearly erupting. This was paradise. If I died that moment, there would be no greater death. I was on the front page. Then that's when I saw I had another review. I clicked on it and went into convulsions. All my muscles savagely tightened and I flopped on the floor shaking. A newbie gave me a four. They liked it and found no errors, yet gave my masterpiece a four star review. Darkness consumed me when I clicked on the front page and my piece was no longer there. I shrieked in horror. I lost consciousness and cracked my skull wide open when I crashed to the floor. When I came to, it hadn't gotten another single review. I had to do something. I ran to the front room, grabbed the TV and PlayStation, then headed to the pawn shop. I guess it was the blood all over my clothes that made them not want to do business with me. I needed more promotion money, some way, somehow, so I might relish in the pure splendor on the precious front page just once more. I raced home and went on-line. Why you can't sell your children into slavery I'll never know. Needless to say, I didn't manage to get any more cash to promote my entry. It never felt the glory of the front page again. It got a couple more fivers then just faded to dust in my pathetic excuse of a portfolio. I'll never forget, never...that one, six star rating that got away.
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