Get Well, Man
SE Reid's Flash Fiction Contest
This was a fun exercise! Hope you enjoy!
Edit: 27 June 2023 - This story won the first ever Talebones Weekly flash fiction contest!
Read the award winning story below!
It was the biggest day of his life.
“Margey, honey, turn on the TV,” he said to his wife.
“Why? Mark you hate the news.”
“I’m not watching it for the news, babe! This is the real deal. I’m going to make a name for myself.”
Margey scoffed. “Ok, big shot. You think you’re the first lawyer to put out an ad? Greenman and Wattson have been on TV for years, and they clean you up in court. Remember last time—”
“Thanks, babe, not helpful right now.”
It was the biggest day of his life.
He got the news on just in time for the start of the 6:00 evening news.
“Recovery efforts are still under way in downtown Metropolitus after Galactron and Wonderman fight in the Lower East-side. We asked Mayor Rogan how long he thinks the cleanup might take?” The woman anchor begins.
“Local long-shot team from Westborough Highschool goes all the way to Nationals, with the championship game this weekend. We talked to Coach Wallace whether he thinks his boys have a shot.” her male counterpart rejoins.
“A local teens video of a squirrel riding water-skis goes viral. We talk to his family to ask how online video platforms are changing the internet for YOUR teen.”
“All this and more on tonight’s 6:00 broadcast of Channel 3 Prime News Now. Our top story tonight…”
Mark couldn’t take his eyes off the screen.
“Mark you gonna be alright hon? It’s not like you’ve never aired a commercial before.”
“Yeah but this one’s going to be big.”
He barely blinked through the first ten minutes of the broadcast. Then, they said the magic words.
“We’ll be right back after this short break.”
Fade to black.
Mark’s face is there, on the screen.
“Hi, I’m Mark Wellman, of the Wellman Lawfirm.” He’s sitting behind a desk, backed by bookshelves filled with thick volumes of what surely must be intelligent legal precedent.
“Have you or a loved one been affected by the actions or negligence of Wonderman?”
Cut to a hospital, where a man on life support says, “My apartment complex was completely destroyed when Wonderman threw Galactron at it. I barely got out alive.”
Cut to a woman with an arm full of envelopes, “My insurance won’t cover a fire caused by Wonderman’s laser vision. How am I going to keep food on the table with all these bills to pay?”
Cut to an old woman dressed in black, “My husband was just two days away from retirement when Wonderman caused a building to collapse on him. Now I can’t claim my husband’s pension.”
Back to Mark, standing now, surrounded by all these grieving parties. “If this sounds like you, you may be entitled to compensation. Call the Wellman Lawfirm, at 999-888-7654. Don’t wait, get Wellman.”
Cut to all the grieving families saying “I’m glad I called Wellman!”
Fade to black.
Some prescription commercial comes on.
Shocked silence while the prescription lists potential side effects. Mark looks at Margey. Margey looks at Mark.
“You—”
The phone rings.
“Mark Wellman, Wellman Lawfirm?”
Thank you for reading!
Ha ha a fun little peak into a different reality. Reminds me a little of the TV series (and graphic novel) The Boys. Thanks for sharing Scoot!
At first I just thought it'd be the joke of him fixating on the commercial. The superhero collateral damage joke is a little old but caught me off guard here, props for that.