About Red Tales

Here's an evolving electronic collection of short prose pieces, with a poem contributed occasionally. Brevity guides. Although sometimes a piece will run to 900 words, most pieces are much shorter. Here one may find erotica, flash fiction, brief observations, and modest improvisations. Another rule is that each piece must have something to do with"red"; at least the word has to appear in each piece functionally. . . . All pieces are numbered and titled, so there's a de facto table of contents running down the rail below, under "Labels" (scroll down a bit). Browse for titles that look interesting, if you like. Thank you for stopping by. Look for some red today, tonight.

"Flaming June," by Frederick Lord Leighton

"Flaming June," by Frederick Lord Leighton

Friday, August 22, 2008

12. Welcome

He wishes sometimes for what used to be commonly called the Red-Carpet Treatment (RCT) which is an uncommonly generous welcome. Never having received such a welcome, he covets it, of course; he wonder what it would feel like to have the Treatment extended to him.

He nudges his way in sometimes, tries to earn the RCT. He know it’s the wrong approach, has studied the Treatment’s particulars enough to know no one earns the RTC. That is the whole point. One cannot earn it.

He refuses however to remain completely ignored, uncalled for, excluded. So he buys scalped tickets, or writes on spec, or slides through the delivery-door, or makes himself useful . . . . There are thousands of ways to get around being unwelcome.

There is though no way to be welcome, except to be welcome: sweet feet planted belongingly in plush red carpet, gladness all around, so happy, so happy you’re here, for you are the one we’ve been waiting for! Welcome!

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