Chow! by Patricia Collinge, 1957
The magic trick:
Giving us full access to the thoughts that create a conflict, but then keeping us from the thoughts that lead to the resolution
Patricia Collinge was an Academy Award-nominated actress who also happened to moonlight as a New Yorker contributor. What a life.
This story could maybe be dismissed as slight, but I enjoyed it.
Mr. and Mrs. Engel are vacationing in Italy. Mr. is annoyed and embarrassed by the way Mrs. attempts to sprinkle Italian phrases into her interactions with locals. They argue about it. He hurts his wife’s feelings.
We’re very much in his head the whole way, understanding why he is annoyed. So it’s a surprise to see him take action in the end, because we weren’t privy to the train of thought that led such a resolution.
And that’s quite a trick on Collinge’s part.
The selection:
“You won’t even try,” his wife went on. “I wish you would just try.”
Mr. Engel took off his tie. “What do you want me to do?” he asked. “Go around telling jewellers that I love them?”
“That isn’t fair!” said Mrs. Engel hotly. “Just because I made a mistake and told you! I suppose now you’ll think everything I say is wrong!”
As always, join the conversation in the comments section below, on SSMT Facebook or on Twitter @ShortStoryMT.
Subscribe to the Short Story Magic Tricks Monthly Newsletter to get the latest short story news, contests and fun.
Short Story Magic Tricks 