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C J O'Hare's avatar

'A jazz trio was painting the possibilities with a rather tired brush' - this description instantly jumped out at me - not sure if the musicians hearts' weren't in it, or if that's just the nature of jazz musicians, but this is a real mood-setter of a statement. Also - I never heard of Chet Baker before, but that was exquisite.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Glad you liked this fragment. Chet Baker was sublime. He died in 1988 -- fell off a balcony in Amsterdam. Drugs were involved. We have lost so very many great talents to drugs.

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

Redheads in green dresses. Kryptonite!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

You got that right.

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Kate Henry's avatar

This sort of thing makes me think you live in concurrent time zones. Walk through a doorway and be sometime else. Super skill for a writer. ))))

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Ha ha ha. Imagine what is in this head that I do NOT let escape... yikes.

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Richard Blaisdell's avatar

Fear and loathing in Las Vegas ends up surfing safari with lost wages waves crash in head and wonder was she a redhead or a blind blonde dancer date last might or day before. Just know sloe gin fizz frazzles my cold toes . That’s how my life goes. Lucky 🍀 Saint Patrick’s day is coming. I’ll be at James Joyce bar on State Street.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

See you there, pal.

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Richard Blaisdell's avatar

Guinness lives. One bar over another builds either a weight lifter, a house or a schloshed friend .

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

👍🏻

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James Ron's avatar

Las(?) Vegas to Pismo Beach overnight, wakes up in the surf, and doesn't remember anything but a redhead. He messed with someone else's redhead? Something in the drinks? Nice, Sharron!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Either one works for me! Thanks, Ron.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

Tis a mystery, all right. I hope whatever vehicle moved him from Vegas to Pismo Beach was driven by a gorgeous redhead in a spiffy foreign convertable, maybe a frog-eyed MG.

And Chet Baker pulled me into misery with his voice at the end. Lordy!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Chet Baker - such a sad loss his early demise was. He was only 58. Damned drugs...

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

😞

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Janice Walton's avatar

I hate it when that happens!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Ha ha ha. Silly girl!

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Joan Spilman's avatar

He probably deserved it!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

You think? I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. But you never know. Thanks Joan!

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Joan Spilman's avatar

I'd adding to your story and imagining her cleaning out his pockets! Redheads are as tough as they come.

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Gary Spangler's avatar

Excellent, Sharon.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, Gary. You'll have to finish this one on your own.

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Bryan Pirolli's avatar

I think you got us all with "A jazz trio was painting the possibilities with a rather tired brush." But the story is, as always, anything but tired :)

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Hah! Thank you, Bryan. I always appreciate your comments, my friend.

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K.C. Knouse's avatar

I too loved this line, Sharron: A jazz trio was painting the possibilities with a rather tired brush. That is one for the ages. You captured the morning after perfectly.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, KC. The more I think about it, the more that morning after could have been metaphorical. Or anyway, just in his mind... hmm.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

A bored band playing for money, no one really listening. A young man looking to feel alive. A Redhead looking for the same. Booze to heighten the senses and dull the mind. A morning after. Another day in paradise.

The jazz trio line was gold.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

One of my favorite old tropes. I tried to switch it up a bit. Thanks, Mark.

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Sharon Hudson's avatar

Waking up on Pismo Beach, after a night in Las Vegas…what a night! The music and voice of Chet Baker lulled me into another world. A smoky room, the clinking of glasses, and promises brewing on the dance floor. Magical,and mysterious, Sharron. I love it!

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Nathan Slake's avatar

Another lover of "'A jazz trio was painting the possibilities with a rather tired brush" here. Wonderful and evocative line. Great story. A siren in green.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, Nathan!

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Linda Cardillo's avatar

Chet Baker! Have not heard in years .So good, lovely.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Still sounds like sweet pain. He left us far too soon

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