Not Enough Words

Day 2 Writing Prompt! I think I’m getting the hang of this!

My initial thought with this prompt was some deep social commentary on how we must need more words in our language, because we’re all talking but no one seems to be understanding each other, but…this was more fun. So, here is my unintended homage to O’Henry’s “Ransom of Red Chief.”

“We don’t have enough words,” she sighed, flipping through the stack of mangled magazines in front of her. She had spent hours poring over that wrinkled piece of paper, scissors in one hand, an Elmer’s glue stick in the other.

“Good god, woman! It’s a ransom note not a novel,” I griped, fanning myself against the stifling Louisiana heat. The AC had conked out hours ago, and our only relief was a small metal fan creaking in the motel room window.

“That’s no reason not to be polite,”…