Another KSP writing challenge from the past. The subject was cliches; hence the giveaway title. I’ll explain at the end to avoid further giveaways.
This immediately brought to mind echolalia, which is a condition where instead of regular speech the person repeats what they’ve heard. It can range from only being able to echo what is said ‘mindlessly’ to using phrases overheard (usually TV) in an appropriate context; for example “Howdy Mam” instead of “Hello”. It can effect the person constantly or occasionally; it is often worsened by stress. It is a common symptom of autism but it is not exclusive to autism.
Taking things literally is also a very common autistic problem. So I created this completely fictionalized exploration.
Clichéd
“It was a dark and stormy night” said the boy.
“Was it darling, I’m so sorry” Annette soothed.
“He’s out of his mind it was clear and silent” said Ian.
“Yes it was, it’s okay,” Annette still spoke in the same soothing tone.
“It’s a word to the wise,” insisted the boy.
“It’s a word from an idiot!” Ian retorted.
“Leave it Ian, come on let’s get breakfast,” begged Annette realising it was going to a long day. “Breakfast now! What do you want sweetie?”
“A chip off the old block!” said the boy.
“Of course,” replied Annette.
“Yes please, I want chips too!” enthused Ian.
“We don’t eat chips for breakfast, do we Ian, that would unhealthy and silly,” explained Annette.
“He’s getting chips! That’s not FAIR!” yelled Ian, his face turning red.
“Pain in the neck,” chirped the boy.
“I am nowhere near your neck, this is a pain in the neck!” screeched Ian striking out at the boy.
“It’s all fun and games!” observed the boy in a sorrowful tone.
Annette quickly grabbed Ian, stopping him as he was about to strike again.
“But he said it was fun! He likes it when I hit him,” Ian whined.
“We do not hit people in this house,” said Annette in her most commanding tone.
“Yes we do! I just did! Are you okay?” Ian sounded worried.
“We should not hit people, it is a rule.” Annette corrected herself, this was so exhausting.
“Loose cannon!” remarked the boy.
“Really? O my model? I have to go and fix it!” yelled Ian as he ran to the hallway.
“No sweetie! Come back for breakfast,” called Annette, she realised immediately what she had just said and her face paled.
“My name is Ian,” Ian said quietly. He then fell straight to the floor flailing his limbs and repeating “Ian!” gaining volume each time until his voice reached a crescendo.
“Thunder roared! What’s good for the goose! No happy endings!” screamed the boy falling to the ground too.
Annette sighed and grabbed two cushions from a nearby sofa. She tucked one under each of her sons’ heads, a manoeuvre she was well practiced in. Twins both with the same disability, yet one was trapped by echolalia, the other ruled by literalism.
They were never going to get out of this alive!
The cliche assignment immediately brought to mind echolalia, which is a condition where instead of regular speech the person repeats what they’ve heard. It can range from only being able to echo what is said ‘mindlessly’ to using phrases overheard (usually TV) in an appropriate context; for example “Howdy Mam” instead of “Hello”. It can effect the person constantly or occasionally; it is often worsened by stress. It is a common symptom of autism but it is not exclusive to autism.
Taking things literally is also a very common autistic problem. So I created this completely fictionalized exploration.
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