Week Eight - Creating A Setting

Week Eight – Journal #1

Creating A Setting

The little white Honda Civic sat in the parking lot of the “Everything's A Dollar” mini-mart. In the bright sunshine, it looked more gray, showcasing it's need for a good wash. Through the car windows, clothes could be seen in the back seat, thrown on top of boxes, into which were stuffed all manner of items; books, purses, high-heeled shoes, a small television. A pillow and folded blanket had been placed on top of one of the boxes.

The dashboard, on which sat a coffee mug and hair brush, showed that the gas tank was almost empty. In the console were a toothbrush, and a tube of toothpaste. The opened ashtray held several tubes of lipstick. Empty soda cans, and various pieces of paper were strewn across the floor on the passenger side, among them old issues of Cosmopolitan and Elle magazine and envelops which read “Important Notice Enclosed” and “Payment Past Due”.

Hanging from the bar above the passenger seat was a red uniform. The uniform consisted of a sleeveless vest and short skirt. Across the breast of the vest was stitched the words “Golden Casino”. The sun beamed through the window making the fabric shimmer and flash on a laminated picture listlessly hanging from the rearview mirror. In the picture was a woman and little boy, both with bright smiles.