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Anyone remember the (fictional) McAllister family, which owns the (completely made up) JavaNation company and appears to be incapable of deciding on an ad campaign—much to the hair-tearing frustration of David, Mike, and Dennis?
Well, the McAllisters just struck again and the boys struck out. Again.
But David’s thumping headache is about to remind Jack of something . . .
Jack went to his office, found the ibuprofen, and was walking back when a thought stopped him midstep. “Gnomes,” he said.
He sprinted for the art department, slowing to toss the bottle through David’s open doorway. “Heads up!” he said, already halfway down the hall.
Dennis was staring at his Art Deco mock up, as if he could will the McAllisters to reverse their rejection of it through the power of sad puppy eyes.
“Gnomes!” Jack announced, taking out his phone.
“What?”
But Jack was already sending a text.
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Wonder who’s on the other end of that message? Hmmm . . .
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The image is of the creepy clay gnomes that “lived” in the rockery at Lamport Hall, as originally published on page 211 of The Gardeners Chronicle, 25 September 1897.
Lamport Hall was the home of the Isham family from 1560 to 1976. Sir Charles Isham, 10th Baronet is credited with beginning the tradition of garden gnomes in the United Kingdom when he introduced a number of apparently truly creepy terracotta figures from Germany in the 1840s. And I’m sure we all thank him for that . . .
Earful of Cider 
An ad campaign based on gnomes? Or is this something to do with the wedding?
It’s an ad campaign, not wedding stuff. But it does bring Jack and Viv closer together, since they’re her gnomes.
This reminds me of the gnome Jess stole on “Gilmore Girls.” Great snippet!
Gnomes! Of course, gnomes! Or aliens! Alien gnomes! (Someone needs sleep..) Great snippet — I can relate to Jack because I do things like that… expect everyone else to be inside my head and know exactly what I’m talking about.
Not aliens, Paula, just gnomes—but if they’re anything like the gnomes in the photo, they’re alien enough for me!
It’s frustrating sometimes, but on the whole, I’m glad other people can’t read my mind. 😀
Desperation may have caused Jack’s stroke of genius in the form of gnomes. Can’t wait to find out. 😀
Desperation and something Viv mentioned way the heck back in chapter one that both he and I had forgotten until now. 😉
Gnomes? I’m curious. God, I wish I could see that text. lol
Gnomes! Stay tuned next week, Karen—I couldn’t fit it all in today. 🙂
Well, that clears everything up, lol. Great snippet, Sarah. 😀
Good. My work here is done. 😀
Thanks, Siobhan!
I’m giggling…cause I’m reading your writing : ) You do it to me almost every week! Love it, anyone whose had that creative genius aha moment will totally understand this…
I feel the same way about your stuff, Millie. Thanks! 😀
Why yell “Eureka!” when you can yell “Gnomes!” ?
Gnomes! Of course, lol. Loved the flow of this snippet. I can feel the stress and excitement of the moment. Really well done.
Thanks, S.J.!
It’s Dennis I feel sorry for . . . but I still have plans for him. 😀
OMG! Gnomes?! I need to find out what happens next:).
Yes! Gnomes! And good! Thanks, Tina. 😀
Ah, the return of the headache gnomes, wielding their little pickaxes on their victim’s skulls!
I love how you show Jack in the grip of an idea. He has to share it. Right. Now.
Yes! Exactly, Caitlin—fear and pain sells almost as well as sex, at least where caffeine deprivation is concerned. Or in my little world, it does, anyway. 🙂
Thanks!
Funny, goofy and oh so real moment in advertising with sleepless nights, headaches and life. You’ve got it all in eight.
Thank you, Charmaine!
Are you in advertising? Because I have a few questions . . .
Nothing ever good has come from gnomes. Gnomes are just trolls with better PR.
I thought gnomes were Luddite gremlins with better gardens?
The evil of these gnomes will be used for good, Mike. I hope. 🙂
Here’s hoping.
Gnomes are fun. I’m reminded of the garden gnomes my late paternal grandparents had.
I’ve always thought so, Carrie-Anne. 😀
My mother has a gnome garden, complete with tree stump house and porch swing!
Gnomes. Yeah, I get it…er, maybe not.
Neither does Dennis, Elaine. 😀
I hope you both will in a few weeks . . .
Oh well then, GNOMES. Of COURSE. LOL. I love this story and will happily go with you to the subject of gnomes. Excellent excerpt!
See? Simple!
Thanks, Veronica—that means a lot! 🙂
You’ve definitely got me curious. Is he recognizing some Gnome threat? Did he get a great a campaign idea? Or is he just having a “moment”. lol? Good snippet.
All three? 😀
Well, I have no idea what’s going on, having just dropped in here, but I enjoyed the slightly surreal feel to this snippet 🙂 Gnomes, indeed!
Thank you. 🙂
Hey, Surreal Gnomes would be a good name for a thrash band, wouldn’t it?
Gnomes, eh? How do gnomes and coffee go together? I’m sure there’s a connection? OH! the connection’s Viv??? 😀
Yes, very well, yes, and YES! 😀
Gnomes! Of course! Nice way to illustrate the way your character thinks.
Clear as mud, yes?
Thanks, Jeff. 🙂
Haha! Gnomes! Excellent twist. It forces a visceral reaction from the reader–gnomes…you either love them or hate them. But you’ve already laid the groundwork for such humor here! Nicely done. 🙂