The Celebrity - Flash Fiction
Updated: 2 days ago
A satirical flash fiction story about fame, damage control, and the one option nobody wants to say out loud. In “The Celebrity,” Greg Luti follows a famous star through a tense meeting as his team debates every possible response to a scandal.
A celebrity sat around the room of lawyers and consultants, ready to address them on the current scandal that has rocked his world. The celebrity is unsure if he can handle all the negative press and wishes to hear the opinions of his team, which has helped him before.
He heard multiple takes on the situation, from having a press release on the matter to ignoring it altogether. Some suggested he go into another field for the time being, while others say now is the time to be releasing new material to capitalize on the publicity.
The celebrity didn’t know what to do, for he had so many options, yet no clear path.
After some discussion, a new voice spoke up, giving a take not heard of yet. “Why don’t you just leave? I mean, just stop all of this. What is stopping you from doing that?”
“I am sorry.” The celebrity spoke up. “Who are you again?”
“Light Pearson. I am the copy editor of your memoir. Joanne is out sick today.”
“And you want me to do what exactly?”
“Leave. The door is right there. If you really want to end all of this nonsense, then just go. No one is stopping you. You created this cage. You put yourself in this position. None of us is forcing you to do it. I mean, let’s be real. None of the people in this room wants you to stop, because we make money from you. But if you want help, real help, you won’t get it by asking a room full of lawyers and yes-men about what to do.”
“And where does that real help come from?”
“From within. Not from a shrink, or a consul, but from you. Find out who you are, before you start making decisions that will affect it.”
The celebrity chuckled, “What about all my fans?”
“Oh, please. People move on. The world moves on. Life moves on. If people need you in order to live, then perhaps the lesson you should give them is a realization that their life should not revolve around you, or anyone else, for that matter. You are only a celebrity after all. It is not that important, no offense.”
“And what about my money and everything?”
“Hey, if you don’t think a room of lawyers knows how to handle the money, then you have another thing coming. Am I right?” He winked at the person to his left.
“So just leave?”
“You want to know what to do, but you don’t even know who you are, without all the photos, all the glitz and glamour. Take it all away, and then ask yourself, “Who am I?” Then and only then will you know who you are. Because at the end of the day, it is your life. Not mine, not anyone in this room. Not even the fans. But yours… And how the hell can you know about your own life, if you never know about who you really are.”
The celebrity said nothing.
The editor finished, “Sometimes the best way to stay dry is to go back inside, not get a new umbrella.”
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