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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Blue (10/08/09)
Cerulea Sings the Navy Blues


I’m a Navy man, I need to be strong. Why am I so melancholy, almost despondent? She said she would think about my proposal after giving the sapphire engagement ring back. There was disappointment in Miss Cerulea’s voice, I could tell. Even her appearance was crestfallen. Was it the ring? Or that I’d be out to the deep blue sea for months at a time? If it was only the ring that’s not too bad, but what if it is my job? That would be heartbreaking for me. I do love her but this is my duty now. Dejection has never been easy for me to handle.

It will be good to be back in the Mediterranean again. I’ve always loved the changing sea colors: deep cobalt, almost indigo, with the white sands close to shore giving the clear, light blue vista, the cool breezes refresh my thinking, chasing the misery away. Will it work this time? Three months? Will I be this miserable all that time? Pessimistic, that’s not the way to shove off on this cheerless assignment.

Assignment? That reminds me I need to get down below deck. I have dental clients to see this afternoon. Isn’t that something, here I am down in the dumps and going to help others who are “down in the mouth”! Depressing, wouldn’t you say, ol’ boy?

Good time to get started, looks like a storm moving in, it’ll be gloomy the rest of the day anyway.

GLUM…GLUM…glum…

GLUM…GLUM…glum…

GLUM…GLUM…glum…

My footsteps are echoing on the stairs mocking me – “Glum, glum, glum…” this is going to be one dismal day.

But imagine how disconsolate she will be without me! What a wonderful, happy-go-lucky guy she’ll be missing! When she finds out I will not wither and die without her, she will realize hers is a life of misery, despondency! It’s not an easy decision for me to make but I realize now she doesn’t deserve such a man like me.

I need to think of something to cheer myself up though. Hmmm...I know, I’ll use half-strength Novocain on all root canals. Nothing like transferring my frustrations to those sad seamen. I’m starting to feel better already.

“Who’s first?” Oh, how I enjoy the benefits of this job.

*****

Postscripts: Our Navy man met with Miss Cerulea after he returned from sea duty and she was devastated by his arrogance and colorful sailor language laced with blue streaks. She never stopped loving him though and remained unmarried, hoping for his return.

He later accepted a teaching position at the Academy’s dental school and became a drill instructor, his crowning military achievement. After retiring he set up a private practice; he is still doing root canals somewhere. He can be recognized by his signature blue mask.

Miss Cerulea went on to become a famous Blues singer but always wondered if her name influenced her future. It is rumored she inspired Bobby Vinson’s hit song Blue on Blue.*

*****

*Opening line of Blue on Blue: “Blue on blue, heartache on heartache, blue on blue, now that we are through, blue on blue, heartache of heartache, and I find I can’t get over losing you.”
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Rachel Phelps
10/18/09
This was an interesting take on the topic, but I felt the execution was a bit choppy. The italicized parts felt a bit stiff, not like the flow of thoughts within someone's head, and the postscripts left me with a lot of questions. As I said, though, the concept was unique and intriguing, and the opening line definitely caught my attention.