By Ben Roth
I am at a party, talking in the kitchen to two women I have never met.
“We’re veterinarians,” one says, dipping a carrot stick in the hummus.
“Oh, what a cool job!” I respond with enthusiasm.
The one turns to the other: “How many dogs did you have to put down today?”
I am at another party, talking to a woman in the dining room.
“I’m a veterinarian,” she tells me.
“Dog killer,” I laughingly call her as I reach for another handful of potato chips.
Her brow furrows, then she turns and walks away.
Talking to veterinarians is not easy.
This is pure genius. Love it!
Yes. This story is terrific. It has a gentle quirkiness that makes me give a happy laugh (as opposed to a snort). Nicely done, Ben!
Stories written in the present tense are underrated. You did it well.
They eat carrots, the protagonist eats potato chips. Interesting detail.
Why are the three veterinarians women? Couldn’t you have ended with: Talking to women is not easy?
The second party…. are you sure she wasn’t a vegetarian?
I love the simplicity of this story. Humorous, but not too. Great writing!