Writing Exercise
A bus just broke down. Using only dialogue, create 5 different characters.
My Writing
“Oh no, I’m going to be late for my appointment. I have to be there in twenty minutes or they’ll give my spot to another bride.”
“It’ll be okay, deary. I am sure the driver is already calling someone to help us.”
“I doubt it. I can see him outside having a smoke.”
“Oh, young man, can you please grab that yarn that just fell out of my basket? It rolled under your foot. Sometimes I think this yarn has a mind of its own.”
“Yea, sure, whatever.”
“Oh, thank you so much, young man.”
“Mommy, is the bus going to go soon?”
“I don’t know, sweety. We just have to wait and see.”
“But mommy….”
“Jacob, stop your whining. The bus driver is doing what he can to get us moving again.”
“We need to get going now. I have to get to the Bridal Boutique.”
“Why don’t you tell us what kind of wedding dress you want, deary?”
“Oh, it’s going to be so beautiful. I want a mermaid fit and I would love for it to fan out around my feet with a little of a train. I don’t want to train to be too long though because I was at a friend’s wedding last month and it was and she kept stepping on it. It was a disaster.”
“Oh, your poor friend. That must have been frustrating.”
“She finally got the hang of it, but I changed my mind real quick on getting a long train for my dress.”‘
“Haha haha. I bet it changed your mind. What else do you want for your dress?”
“Oh right! For the arms, I want long sleeves that are sheer, and what they call butterfly wings. My fiance and I are really into medieval things, so I thought that style of a dress would look medieval enough for our wedding theme. And I already have the shoes and the tiara I plan to wear.”
“That sounds so lovely, deary. I hope you find your dream dress. You know what? Why don’t you give the boutique a quick call to let them know you will be late? I am sure they would appreciate it and help you out.”
“Oh my gawd, I totally didn’t think to do that. You are such an angel helping think of that and to help calm me down. I’m going to step off the bus and call them right now. Thank you!”
“I was just like her before my wedding day. By the way, my name is Helen.”
“I’m Jose. It’s nice to meet you, Helen.”
“I’m Grace and this is my son, Robert.”
“I’m named after my grandpa. And he is very mean.”
“Robert!”
“Mommy, I’m hungry and bored. Is the bus going to move soon?”
“Hey, buddy, you want to see something cool?”
“Yes, I do! Mommy, can I go sit with Jose?”
“Of course, Robert, go ahead.”
“Yes!”
Grace, sweety, are you and Robert safe?”
“Excuse me?”
“I don’t mean to pry, but when Robert said his grandpa is mean, I thought…”
“Oh yes, Helen. We are safe. Robert and Jim, my ex-husband, are no longer in our lives. Even though it was a tremendous change and was hard to do, I divorced Jim two years ago.”
“Daddy was as mean as grandpa. Mommy would get bruises and cuts, and black eyes.”
“Robert!”
“Oh, sweety, I am sorry you went through that.”
“Thank you, Helen. It was hard and frightening, but we got away. I divorced him, got full custody of Robert, and moved here to Los Angeles in California to get away from them. They still live in Wyoming and have no plans to follow us. Plus, I have a restraining order against Jim.”
“That is so cool, Jose! Hey mommy, can I get a switchblade like Jose? His is so cool. It’s black and red.”
“A switchblade?”
“Yea, unfortunately where I live, I need some protection, so I have a switchblade. But I didn’t get my first one until I was 13 and I showed my parents I could handle it. I also showed them I was responsible enough for one, too.”
“So, mom, can I get one?”
“Robert, you are only 8 years old. I don’t think so buster.”
“But mooooooooom!”
“Oh wonderful. Now he won’t leave me alone about this. Thanks, Jose!”
“I’m sorry, Grace. I just wanted to get him out of your hair for a few minutes.”
“Hahaha! Thank you Jose, I appreciate the help, but you’ve created a little monster.”
“Oh dear, hahaha, Jose, you naughty young man.”
“I am sooorrrrryyyy.”
“Don’t whine, Jose, you’re sounding as bad as Robert.”
“Hahahaha!”
“Guys, guys! I called the shop, and they said they will still take me as soon as I get there. And I just heard the bus driver talking, and they have sent a new bus that should be here in about ten minutes.”
“That is wonderful news. By the way, deary, I’m Helen, that is Jose and Robert, and this is Grace.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you all. I’m Alice. Hey, do you think it would be okay if we sat together on the new bus? That way, I can join in with the conversation.”
“Can we sit together on the other bus, mommy?”
“Robert, my man, you can sit next to me.”
“Yay, thanks Jose.”
“It looks like the other bus has arrived. Gather your things, dearies, and let’s get going.”