SHORT STORY

The following post is not news, nor is it views. It’s an excerpt from the beginning of a short story I wrote for a Creative Writing class. I hope you enjoy what will one day, surely be a literary masterpiece.

There was nothing sinister about his appearance. He didn’t look threatening at all. On the contrary, he was as plain as could be. In fact, from head to toe, he was the poster child for blandness.

His thick brown hair was meticulously brushed. He liked to slick his hair back. No stray hairs could be found; they all fell neatly into place. He was clean-shaven, mostly due to the fact he couldn’t grow facial hair if his life depended on it.

He had a long, thin face. His nose was disproportionately large, and his squinty brown eyes were disproportionately small. The 30 year old showed no visible signs of ageing, with the exception of a single crease above his brow. His skin was perpetually bronzed. He never frequented tanning salons, nor did he spend any time in tanning beds. His tan was the kind that you can only develop from a lifetime living in sunny Florida. 

Perhaps the only thing that stood out on his entire body was his glistening, unnaturally white teeth. Years of bleaching had resulted in a blindingly bright set of teeth.

He wore a business suit to work every day. It was perfectly fitted to his tall, slender frame. He didn’t like wearing a suit. He felt his uniform made him look awkward, and he was right. He didn’t have a choice though. It was an occupational requirement.

He polished his dress shoes every day. It was a practice he found humorous. He knew full well that nobody would be able to see his shoes. He knew nobody would see him at all below the waist.

He was as plain as could be. He looked like a generic businessman. Despite his appearance, there was nothing ordinary about him.

He spent his workdays in a studio. Under the bright lights, he sat behind a desk doing what he was born to do. It wasn’t by choice. Rather, this occupation was his birthright. He was a televangelist, and a good one at that.

But he wasn’t just any televangelist. He was Joel Esteen, the United States’ foremost televangelist. He spread his message with energetic zeal. There was a certain naivety about his enthusiasm though. But one thing was clear, he was in his element when in front of the cameras.

He was the only son and heir of John Esteen. His father, a Southern Baptist, was a man of great influence and power. His father founded the Church of Heavenly Redemption. John was incredibly charismatic and was able to build a following which grew with every passing Sunday.

Within a short period of time, John hit the airwaves on radio broadcasts, followed by television. He built up an impressive and lucrative media empire based purely on his interpretation of the bible. His followers eventually numbered in the millions around the globe. He led the biggest flock in the world, rivaled only by the Pope.

When John passed from his earthly shell, Joel inherited the family business. It was a vast empire that brought the young man wealth, power, and influence. Despite his remarkable good fortune, Joel wasn’t happy.

“It was a good program today. I think I really nailed His message,” Joel announced to his studio crew before he headed to his dressing room. He was careful not to tread on the cables. Joel always feared that if he accidentally tripped and unplugged a wire, it might bring down his media empire.