The Barchetta Babe
Meet Cute is a way to introduce two characters and set up their burgeoning relationship quickly
Welcome to the first post in my monthly New Fiction section. This piece is called The Barchetta Babe and it started life as an exercise to write around 300 words that would introduce two characters in a story. We were given the two photos above as inspiration and I really enjoyed the creative challenge of presenting characters and place for them to meet as well as posing questions. I’m sure that I could develop this further into a short story or novella - but for now…
Let me know your thoughts and if you would like to support my fiction and non-fiction work then please consider a subscription. The paid option will give you access to over 100 articles, reviews, interviews, podcasts and playlists filled with creative insight
THE BARCHETTA BABE
“Tonight’s Celebrity Big Brother: Our Biggest Shocker Ever – LIVE!” Social media was aflame with speculation, antipodean celebrity shit-stirrer Martin Branning was convinced Meghan Markle was involved and 2FM presenter Jen Panarelli conducted a phone-in for listeners to express what they thought would happen.
Stephanie Miller, the subject of the speculation, was unaware of the media maelstrom because she had been isolated inside the Big Brother house for two weeks. Stephanie had been known as the “Barchetta Babe” since 1995 when her Audrey Hepburn looks had featured in iconic advertisements for Fiat’s two-seater sports car.
The campaign became a global phenomenon leading to chat shows, catwalks and even an ill-fated movie, That’s Amore, which achieved a score of 27% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Now in her mid-fifties, Stephanie continued to work in second tier theatre tours and provincial pantos. She wanted to do CBB to show the world that there was more to her than being a hot girl in a sports car advert.
“House mates to the Dining Room Please”
The four contestants made their way to the hyper bright living space and found their regular places on the sofa. There were glances and whispered questions about what this might mean (and silent hopes about being featured to ‘drive profiles’).
“Housemates we are live so please keep your language appropriate” People at home watched TVs and phones. The shot cut to the show’s female presenter, white face, red lips and dark hair, who stood with a beautiful dark-skinned woman wearing a white dress and denim jacket.
“Jessica are you ready for this?”
“Yes Sabrina, I am”
Jessica was led to the door and within seconds found herself inside the famous kitchen.
She looked at the four faces on the sofa and smiled.
“Hello Stephanie” A breath. “I’m Jessica and I’m your daughter”.
The JasonWard Creative Substack is for readers like you. I really appreciate your time spent here and invite you to support my work by taking out a subscription. A paid subscription gives you access to exclusive content plus the entire archive of over 100 articles, reviews, interviews, podcasts and playlists all full of creative insight designed to help you develop your creative projects and practise.
Love it, I want to know what happens next please! 🤩