Wrong Object by Mona Simpson, 2018
The magic trick:
Generating tension by admitting that the story’s subject is boring – at first
Another short story about a therapist. So what makes this one interesting?
Well, the therapist – our narrator – tells us up front that her new patient is boring. He bores her.
Then several months into their sessions and a few pages into this story, he tells her something new about his situation.
He is no longer boring.
And that’s quite a trick on Simpson’s part.
The selection:
The first session I said what I often said to begin: How can I help you?
I still think of what I do as a helping profession. And I liked the way the phrase echoed down my years; in my first job I’d been a salesgirl at a department store counter.
I want to work on my marriage, he said. I’m the problem.
His complaint was familiar. But I preferred a self-critical patient to a blamer.
It’s me, he said. My wife is a thoroughly good person.
Yawn, I thought, but said, Tell me more.
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 