“Oh Well” at The Flash Fiction Offensive

Some of my stories have had political elements, but until now only one (“Mess With Me”) has been set in the Pennsylvania State Capitol, where I work. I’m pleased that my second Capitol-based story was published this morning.

“Oh Well” — published by the fine folks at Out of the Gutter Online’s Flash Fiction Offensive — has scenes set in the Capitol Rotunda, the Senate chamber, and a Senator’s office. The Capitol’s a remarkable building, and if you ever get a chance to visit, I highly recommend it.

“Oh Well” being published is great on its own (I’m thrilled to be back at TFFO!), but also because it gives me an excuse to post a few photos of the spectacular Pennsylvania Capitol (click on any of the photos on this page to see larger versions), including:

The Capitol rotunda’s marble stairs, often the site of press conferences;

“Screech Owl,” one of nearly 400 mosaics created by Henry Chapman Mercer for the Moravian tile floor; and

The second panel of Violet Oakley’s “The Creation and Preservation of the Union,” depicting President Lincoln at Gettysburg in November 1863, on the front wall of the Senate chamber.

Several of the characters in “Oh Well” share names — and little, if anything, else — with people I know (all with their permission, for any lawyers reading):

In real life, Adam Pankake works for Senator Gene Yaw and is the executive director of the Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee.

In real life, Chris Brennan is a reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News. And not a hack.

The main character is a state Senator named Harry, and although no last name is used, in my head it was Evans, as in my friend and the drummer for The Throes and Poole.

Harry’s last name did appear in multiple versions of “Oh Well” — just not the final version. I originally wrote this story in third person, but it never felt exactly right. I think it’s much stronger with a first-person perspective. I hope you enjoy it!

Like many of my previous stories, “Oh Well” shares its title with a song by one of my favorite bands, The Throes.