A Mediocre Conversation

Submitted into Contest #137 in response to: Write about a character who gets called an Einstein ironically.... view prompt

11 comments

Funny Friendship Inspirational

“They call me Einstein,” Henry says.

“That’s great, my boy! What a compliment,” Albert replies.

“They say it when I miss a math problem or stumble over my words or forget to wear pants. It’s humiliating!”

“What’s humiliating?”

“When they call me Einstein. I just said that.”

“Oh, I thought you were referring to the pants. Funny story, that happened to me once too. So, it was right after I moved to America—”

“I wish I could just disappear.”

“That is physically impossible, son. We are made of matter and matter can’t just go away.”

“You know what I mean!” Henry shouts.

“Of course, of course. But if you disappeared, who would I talk to? I don’t have any friends.”

“I don’t know. Your wife?”

“They’re long gone by now.”

“They?”

“Yes, I had two.”

“At the same time?”

“Oh no, of course not. That’s an odd thing to suggest. Why would you ask that?”

“I don’t know. I’m eight. I don’t know how life works.”

“Neither do I. But I have a lot of theories.”

“Any theories on how I can change my nickname?”

“Well, obviously, I’m quite partial to the name, but if it really bothers you, then prove them wrong. Make them say your name with respect!”

“Easy for you to say.”

“Is it? I’m actually not sure how this whole thing works. Maybe I’m using an immense amount of energy just to form words. Do you know?"

"Again. Eight.”

“Oh yes, and you’re no Einstein.” Albert chuckles.

“Really? You too?”

“No, my boy. They called you Einstein. I said you’re no Einstein, meaning you’re not hyper-intelligent or meticulously groomed.”

“They mean the same thing.”

“Do they? How can opposing statements mean the same thing? This language is very unusual.”

“It’s called irony, I think.”

“That’s definitely not irony. When they call you Einstein, that’s irony because you’re just not that bright. It’s funny.”

“It’s not funny. And that’s what I meant.”

“You meant what?”

“Irony. I was trying to explain irony.”

“Well, you didn’t do very well. You need to be clearer in your speech, my boy.”

“You’re not helping.”

“Have you heard of Alanis Morissette?”

“What? Uh, yeah, my mom likes her music. Why?”

“‘It’s like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife.’ So ironic.”

“Is it? It just sounds unfortunate.”

“Don’t question The Great Morissette. She is all-knowing. But you’re right, that just sounds like a bad day to me.”

“Can we get back on point?” Henry asks.

“Yes, yes, sorry. I haven’t talked to anyone in a long time, just figuring it out.”

“So can you help me?”

“With what?” Albert asks.

“Seriously?”

“Oh, I remember. Well, I can help you with math. But you’ve got to learn to put your pants on yourself. That’s kind of a necessity in life.”

“Where do we start?”

“One leg at a time.”

“Enough about the pants!”

“I’m only joking, let’s start with the basics. Can you count to 100?”

“Yes.”

“Good! You’re halfway there?”

“Really?”

“Of course not! Look alive.”

***

“How was school today?” Albert asks.

“Terrible! Your math was all wrong and they started chanting ‘Einstein, Einstein, you’re as smart as an apple pie.’”

“That doesn’t even rhyme.”

“I know that!”

“Did you do the math just as I showed?”

“I think so. I don’t know. I just can’t do math.”

“Fiddle sticks! Anyone can do math. You want to know something? When I was a lad, I failed a math class. And everyone made fun of me about it. Kids called me stupid. Teachers scoffed at my intelligence. But did that stop me?”

“I’m guessing not, since you’re like a famous smart guy.”

“You have guessed correctly! It did not stop me. I worked hard, continued to fail, but then after years of work, I became Albert Einstein, Physicist. Now people use my name ironically, which still confuses me, and I’d like to talk to someone about that, but the point is, you can be someone special one day, even if you’re just a lump of coal right now.”

“Gee thanks.”

“A lump of coal, given proper pressure, can become diamonds. Boy, you are a diamond! Don’t let other kids or teachers or even me tell you any differently. You can do anything you want in life. If you just work hard and believe in yourself.”

“Did you always believe in yourself?”

“That’s an interesting question. I could tell you I did, but that’s not true. I doubted. I doubted until the day I died. But it never stopped me. Don’t let it stop you, Henry. Go back to school with your chin up, your eyes focused, and your pants on, and you’ll do just fine.”

“You really think so?”

“I do. Pants are key.”

“You’re ridiculous!”

“I have been told that multiple times by multiple humans.”

“Thanks, Mr. Einstein, for everything.”

“Meh, it’s nothing. It’s not like I have anything else to do. I mean, I think I disappear when you go to school, so these chats are kind of keeping me alive.”

“I thought it’s impossible to disappear.”

“Everything I have learned tells me that is a scientific fact, but somehow, in this case, science seems to fail.”

“It does?”

“Indeed. I think this is just one of those things unknowable to mortal minds. Like how a woman’s heart works. It’s impossible to determine.”

“Doesn’t a woman’s heart work just like a man’s?”

“Technically, but in practice, I have observed that is in no way reality.”

“I have so much to learn.”

“So do I!” Albert agrees.

“Can we try the math thing again?”

“If that’s where you want to begin, yes.”

“Actually, no. I have another question that’s been bugging me.”

“Proceed, my boy. I will answer the best I can.”

“Why do cats exist?”

“That’s an easy one. They were sent here by an intergalactic agency to destroy the human race, kind of like the internet. The irony here is that cats ended up obliterating the agency and simply took over our governments.”

“Then we are doomed.”

“Yes, my boy, we are doomed.”

“Then it’s not ironic.”

“Isn’t it?” 

March 13, 2022 21:35

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11 comments

Sharon Hancock
22:48 Mar 20, 2022

😂😂😂you had me laughing from the start! Unique way to tackle the prompt. I really enjoyed it.

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Daniel Roueche
13:41 Mar 21, 2022

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’m in this to entertain and make people laugh.

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Sharon Hancock
00:48 Mar 24, 2022

Me too!😻

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Okashi Kashi
21:27 Mar 19, 2022

Although I much prefer action in a story, I think that good dialogue can work the same way in terms of moving a narrative forward. And your dialogue was really darn funny. You nailed it in that department. I do think the story would benefit slightly from a teensy bit of context. You had a lot of word count left to play with. Of course, Einstein probably wasn't around long enough to hear his name being used ironically. So how does this conversation happen? That was something I felt could've been weaved in. (Personally, I thought Einstein was...

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Daniel Roueche
21:44 Mar 19, 2022

You hit it on the nose with your last sentence haha! And I purposefully left things vague because I really wanted this to just be a conversation. If I were to develop this into a longer narrative, more things would make sense. I just really wanted to have a fun, weird conversation :) Glad you enjoyed it!

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Okashi Kashi
22:08 Mar 19, 2022

No problemo. If it doesn't bother you, would you take a peek at my latest submission? - OK

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Daniel Roueche
00:38 Mar 20, 2022

On it, Boss!

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Jeannette Miller
17:34 Mar 19, 2022

I liked the interaction between the characters; although, it needed more story and less dialogue for me, if that makes sense. It's easy to get lost with who is speaking when it isn't clearly defined in some way as both characters felt like the same person, just a different age levels. They had a similar energy and language style. I liked the integration of Einstein's life and his encouragement to the boy even when calling him "not that bright". Also, the pop culture references were well integrated :)

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Daniel Roueche
18:46 Mar 19, 2022

Hi Jeannette! I appreciate your feedback, the positive and the negative! It’s always helpful. In response, I just want to say that this story is a practice in dialogue. I wanted to create something completely as a conversation. And as far as the characters having the same energy and it’s difficult to figure out who is talking, I say, maybe there’s a reason for that? Maybe….

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Jeannette Miller
19:11 Mar 19, 2022

I like that! I was kinda hoping that was where the story was leading me but I wasn't sure :) Cool!

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Daniel Roueche
19:56 Mar 19, 2022

Oh I’m glad you like it! I left it vague on purpose. It was just a fun, weird story to write haha

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