writing exercise: Endless Openings

I don't know. I'm not too sure if I like this one. It was kind of rushed and I feel like I didn't really do justice to the exercise.

A Love Story

It was a simple story, really—a love story. She was a princess, he a prince. They met through fate in a glen, where both ran to the rescue of a baby squirrel being terrorized by a large wolf. It was love at first sight and also decided that they would be married in the morning. The princess’s father, the king, heartily approved of the match and all in the land rejoiced in the union. And they lived happily ever after.

Or, it was a simple story, but life, as always, had other plans. She was a princess, yes, but her father wasn’t any old king. He was king of the south side—a crime lord, if you didn’t get the hint. The boy also remained a prince, but his monthly allowance was dwindling rapidly and he needed an influx of funds fast. Hence, his attempts to “accidentally” encounter the princess.

When they did meet it was quite by accident. He wasn’t expecting to find himself hauled to the abandoned railroad tracks at 1am and staring up at a loaded 9 mm. He also didn’t expect to hear her voice at the last second, saving his life. Kind by nature, the princess couldn’t bear knowing that her father had someone killed to protect her. In fact, to her, his willingness to die in order to meet her was romantic.

Or, simply put, it was a love story. She was a princess to all those people who watched her face light up the big screen. He was prince in much the same way. They’re meeting was arranged by fate, also known as their agents, and news of their impending nuptials hit the tabloids the very next day. Two days later the couple had their first date, sipping champagne on a romantic picnic in Central Park. The rags documented every moment of the whirlwind romance, particularly those days when he would show up on the set of her latest film reeking of whiskey. They similarly made sure to report about her rabid jealousy over his relationships with his costars.

They did manage to miss completely her affair with the producer of his new movie, a man known as the king of comedy. Our prince, of course, did not take kindly to the infidelity, but the fans loved him more as part of the perfect couple.

Or, it was a love story, simply motivated by politics. He was a prince, who wanted to be king, but first he needed a princess with the keys to the kingdom. She was a princess with powerful connections and deep pockets. It also didn’t hurt that she looked excellent in sweater sets and pearls. Her heart’s only desire was to marry and continue to look excellent in sweater sets and pearls.

They met at a garden party for the soon-to-be-retired king, both assessing the potential of the other from across the lawn. When they were eventually introduced by a mutual acquaintance only one word crossed their minds—perfect.

The match was made that very day and the contract between them finalized only a few short months later. The princess, her marriage now attained, and the prince, already laying down the money trail, took their first step towards the kingdom.