Microfiction VI

Stanley came in, stomping his feet harder than necessary to knock the snow off of his boots. "Of all the..." he muttered.

Roger looked up from his book, "Things not go well tonight?"

"Not at all." replied Stanley, "They got it in their heads to put on a living nativity."

"That sort of thing," Roger opined, "is rather to be expected of religious or even semi-religious organizations, you know."

"Oh, I know. I have no problem with the idea itself. It's the casting with which I disagree." grumbled Stanley, "But it looks as though I might just be stuck with it."

Roger paused a moment. "Well, I cannot picture you as Joseph."

"Neither can I, but I could deal with that."

"And I doubt you'd have any objection to being one of the wise men."

"Indeed!" agreed Stanley, "I'd have no problem at all with that."

"So, you do not wish to portray a shepherd?"

"A shepherd... would not present a problem."

"What, you've been cast as a sheep?"

"No, not a sheep..." grumped Stanley, "Nor a camel, since you're about to ask."

"That rather limits the possibilities. The conclusion seems inescapable. Remind me, just why do you even deal with these folks? It's not as if you are all that religious."

"The food is excellent. And they know their wines."

"So," concluded Roger, "you go there to eat, to drink, but..."

"Yes!" snapped Stanley, "But not to be Mary!"