photo by Daniel Cheung via Unsplash
‘I thought you should see it straight away, Doctor Garrett,’ said Benning. ‘In light of the man’s history …’
Garrett tried to suppress her dislike of the man, of the false sincerity he wore like an ill-fitting mask. His unwashed uniform smelt of sweat, stale cigarettes, last night’s liquid dinner.
‘He calls it a self-portrait, you say?’ The doctor gazed at the canvas, at the weave in the blank, unpainted surface. ‘Tell the orderlies to prepare him for my visit.’
Written for Sonya at Only 100 Words’ Three Line Tales. See here to join in and to read the other stories.
Word Shamble 
Very creative take on the prompt. And I love the idea of a blank canvas as a self portrait. Which highlights why it’s difficult to tell modern art from insanity at times.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I thought the same…and (this is a gender-based thing I’m not proud of), I pictured the doctor as a man at first, squinting at the canvas…had to go back to see he was a she…funny…(or not!). Bill
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well, that is more often the norm, even today – and I did write that character as a ‘he’ originally and changed it to defy my own gender bias! Thanks for reading Bill 🙂
LikeLike
It’s a fine line alright, but then artists have always walked it, stumbling one side, then the other. Thanks Joy 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Artistic imagination well penned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. It’s really godd of you to take the time to read and comment. Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person