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…

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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”.

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