I’ve been looking through My Documents on my computer to fine old stuff I could post while I wait for inspiration to strike, and I found this gem: A short story I wrote in high school called “chatroom.” It’s about an Internet wedding, and I wrote it at a time when I was reading authors like Bradbury and Huxley and thought I was writing really profound science fiction.
Re-reading it, I instantly realized that a question one of the characters asked doesn’t really make any sense for the setting. Also, I didn’t have very good foresight – I mean, do people go on chatrooms anymore? I feel like most people text – sometimes I use Facebook chat or gchat.
But I am ever grateful to the Barbaric Yawp for actually publishing it – the only time I’ve ever had my fiction published outside of school. So, without further ado, I present to you, in its original form:
chatroom 2341829366273189515635101011111111
02:50:26 05/04/66
bestmanforhire6328: is she coming
JacObcd15: she should b soon
bestmanforhire6328: the ceremonys supposed 2 start at 3. 10 min.
JacObcd15: dont worry shell b here
mrsM52000: 😦 if she doesnt get on itll b all ur fault, jacob. have u done nething 2 make her mad
mrM834962w: now, sweetheart, im sure jacobs just as nervous as we r, rn’t u, son
JacObcd15: its alright, sir, i understand her concerns, she has a right 2 her opinions
mrsM52000: thats right, i do. c, matthew? at least sum1 understands me
mrM834962w: dont worry dear it wont b long now
JacObcd15: what times it now
bestmanforhire6328: 2:53
JacObcd15: i wish shed get on already
mrsM52000: youve done sumthing, i know u did sumthing…o y did i let her marry such a fool, matthew? my beautiful diane is marrying a fool.
mrM834962w: itll b ok vanessa. remember what ur parents said when we got engaged
mrsM52000: yah n they were right
bridesmaidforhire01: 🙂 what a beautiful wedding this has turned out 2 b! both sets of parents, brothers sisters, all here! ive never been in 1 so big
daveyk400: yah, altho carrie, once again, failed 2 show
misterpanderson8: dont put ur sister down, dave, u know how busy she gets with the kids
daveyk400: n that barbarian she calls a husband
daveyk400: its a good thing she didnt come after that stunt she pulled. a church wedding –no1 does that nemore.
daveyk400: u cant just invite ppl 2 ur house thinking theyll come when theres a computer right in front of them. n meeting her husband be4 hand…
mrspanderson53: it was a very sneaky trick, very shameful, but chris turned out 2 b quite the cutie, didn’t he, pete
misterpanderson8: yeh, unfortunately. she glowed on her wedding day, tho, rita, actually glowed
mindymad2066: u mean she was happy? on her wedding day?
mindymad2066: ive heard of feeling panic or nevous but not happy
bestmanforhire6328: go figure. prolly cuz she met the guy 1st
mindymad2066: i guess seeing each other in person isnt the worst thing thats ever been done.
mindymad2066: i had a friend who married this guy who sent her a pic be4 they tied the knot
daveyk400: a pic? what a jerk
mindymad2066: hoping shed send him one no doubt
dianemanderson25 has entered.
bestmanforhire6328: 🙂
dianemanderson25: im here, everybudy, ready 2 start
reverendonline0003: whenever u r
JacObcd15: were ready
reverendonline0003: ladies n gents we r gathered here 2day 2 witness the union of jacob anderson and diane madison in holy matrimony
reverendonline0003: 1st did u get ur rings in the mail
JacObcd15: yup, got mine right here
dianemanderson25: yeh
reverendonline0003: k, u may put them on. now, jacob, do u take this woman, diane, 2 b ur lawful wedded wife, 4 richer or 4 poorer, in sickness n in health, as long as u both shall live
JacObcd15: i do
reverendonline0003: n diane, do u take this man, jacob, 2 b ur lawful wedded husband, 4 richer or 4 poorer, in sickness n in health, as long as u both shall live
dianemanderson25: i do
bridesmaidforhire01: 😦 its so beautiful
reverendonline0003: u may kiss the bride
JacObcd15: *kiss kiss* 🙂
dianemanderson25: kiss kiss* 🙂
reverendonline0003 has left the room.
Copyright 2012 by S. L. Stacy
slstacy.com 