FADING STAR

Olivia Hildebrand drained the bottle of beer. She took a long drag on a cigarette and stubbed it out on her expensive Armani dress.

She tripped, one of her Gucci heels had broken, and landed on the ground. She looked up at the Hollywood sign looming brightly over her.

‘This is how it ends then.’ She stared at her own face. ‘Not even a big enough star for a wax museum anymore.’

Well, it had been an exhilarating ride while it had lasted.

She hurled the head away and watched her younger face smash to pieces on a rock.

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

95 responses to “FADING STAR”

misstalkaholic

15/02/2017

Thrilling

LikeLike

Reply
neilmacdon

15/02/2017

The interesting thing is, despite the ravages of time and the unfeeling world, she seems quite calm about it

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Drunken acceptance I was going for, she’ll be back on her feet after the alcohol wears off.
  
  LikeLiked by 2 people
  
  Reply
ceayr

15/02/2017

Nicely drawn portrait of bitterness and disillusionment.
Good stuff, Iain.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Bitterness and disillusionment – we writers have got plenty of experience to fall back on there. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Jessie Ansons

15/02/2017

I love the link to the prompt! And a nice message in this piece too. Great title!

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Thanks Jessie, very kind.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Liz Young

15/02/2017

Photographs of our younger selves are bad enough – thank God I’m never going to be famous enough for a waxwork.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Thanks Liz, I always find the waxworks look a bit dead behind the eyes anyway, quite sinister. Speaking of sinister, thanks for the photo prompt this week!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
FabricatingFiction

15/02/2017

So poignant. How quickly some stars can fade.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Some burn brightly and quickly. That’s the fickleness and vanity of society though. Thanks Louise.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Snow’s Fissures and Fractures

15/02/2017

I loved what you saw and where you took us. Nicely done!

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Many thanks!
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Lynn Love

15/02/2017

A real Sunset Boulevard feel to this Iain. Tragic and yet inevitable too – no one’s star shines forever. Love how you’ve written this.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Thanks Lynn, nice to be compared to a film classic!
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
  1. Lynn Love
    
    16/02/2017
    
    My total pleasure 🙂
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
rochellewisoff

15/02/2017

Dear Iain,

I was thinking of a particular Twilight Zone myself. Stardom is such a fleeting thing. You captured the fading starlet brilliantly.

Shalom,

Rochelle

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  It’s such a shame that for a lot of actors, women especially, stardom is related to looks and youth regardless of talent. Thanks, glad you liked it.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
David K

15/02/2017

Very well written and poignant, Iain. You’ve captured the feeling well — the feeling of somebody resigning to despair and defeat after a life of striving (and self-destruction). It made me think of that line from Eliot: ‘This is the way the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper.’

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Resignation was what I was going for, and there’s not whole lot you can do about getting older. Maybe she’ll get one last hurrah and go out with a bang!
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
shehannemoore

15/02/2017

Sunset Boulevard supreme.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Thanks 🙂
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
J Hardy Carroll

15/02/2017

Excellent. Made me think of the old Westworld and the Faceless Men in Martin’s books.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Thanks J Hardy.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
justjoyfulness

15/02/2017

Loved it!

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Thank you!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
granonine

15/02/2017

Perfect mood for this photo.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Many thanks.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Rowena

15/02/2017

Great story full of passion.
My only thoughts would be to re-visit the second paragraph. You have two sentences starting with she and could mix it up a bit.
Liked the reference to the wax museum.
xx Rowena

LikeLike

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Thanks Rowena, and thanks for the suggestion. I like the repetition of ‘She’ as it is, I like to try and keep it plain and simple. Iain 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
James

15/02/2017

If you haven’t seen it already, I highly recommend the 1950 film “Sunset Boulevard starring William Holden and Gloria Swanson. Swanson plays a formerly famous actress who has “aged out” but dreams of a big comeback.

Some of the cast include silent film stars Hedda Hopper, Buster Keaton, Anna Q Nilsson, and H.B. Warner. Your wee tale reminded me of the movie.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Thanks James, I have a copy of it somewhere, been a while since I watched it, always worth revisiting. Glad my story reminded you of it.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Indira

15/02/2017

Excellent take on the photo prompt. It’s same everywhere for female stars especially. beautifully written.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Thanks Indira, unfortunately no sign of it changing anytime soon.
  
  LikeLiked by 2 people
  
  Reply
  1. Indira
    
    18/02/2017
    
    That’s true but hoping for the best.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
nonsmokingladybug

15/02/2017

She doesn’t deserve an Armani dress. Even a drunk lady knows not to use it to stub out a cigarette.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  That’s how low she’s gone! 🙂
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
  1. nonsmokingladybug
    
    15/02/2017
    
    That’s not low, that’s stupid 🙂
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
Sandra

15/02/2017

Very Gloria Swanson. Liked it.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Thanks Sandra
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Dave

15/02/2017

Nicely written. Acceptance tinged with tragedy

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Cheers Dave.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Fatima Fakier Deria

15/02/2017

I sensed an older actress, unsuccessful auditions, rumours in the tabloids. I felt her resignation alright! Maybe if she had built her career on more than just her looks, she could be Betty White, or Meryl Streep, or my favourite, Helen Mirren.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Thank you. Sadly I think even talented actresses (and some men too) can be cast aside when their looks fade, maybe she just needs to start auditioning for different kinds of roles.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
jellico84

15/02/2017

To bad society judges people so much on their looks instead of their intelligence and creativity! 🙂 Great story!

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Thank you, and I agree – not just for actors either!
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
  1. jellico84
    
    15/02/2017
    
    No, it’s not. I had a good job in sales with an electronics retail store, and after my accident (and facial reconstruction) the District’s GM fired me. Reason given: “You’ve lost the “cute” value.” Had nothing to do with the fact that I was at top sales that earned me $10K @ 2% commission on sales in only fifteen minutes that morning. I haven’t been able to find any steady work since.. That was 21 years ago.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
  2. Iain Kelly
    
    15/02/2017
    
    That’s a horrendous story. Hopefully things have changed in the last 21 years to make sure that doesn’t happen anymore. And the District GM is no longer in a position of power.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
  3. jellico84
    
    15/02/2017
    
    Actually, the entire company has been sent into virtual non-existence, shutting down 98% thereabouts of their stores. Karma bites! She laughs.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
  4. Iain Kelly
    
    15/02/2017
    
    Ha, they got what they deserved definitely 🙂
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
Dale

15/02/2017

Everyone said what I wanted to… excellent portrayal of Hollywood’s cruelty…

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Thanks Dale, always value your feedback 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
trentpmcd

15/02/2017

The limelight does fade, but the indignity of having your wax figure booted… Nice portrait of yesteryear’s star.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Yeah, definitely a blow if they return your wax head in the post! Thanks Trent 🙂
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Keith’s Ramblings

15/02/2017

Star today, meteorite tomorrow! Oh well.

Click to read my story!

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Better to have soared brightly through space than have never flown at all. Or something like that. Thanks Keith.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Alicia Jamtaas

15/02/2017

I must admit I gasped when I read the part about the cigarette being snuffed out on the dress. THAT line, to me, said it all.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  Thanks Alicia, glad a detail like that had an impact!
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Life Lessons of a Dog Lover

15/02/2017

I was caught up in this dark tale, then the last line made me smile, until I realized that this is a still a tragedy. Well done.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  15/02/2017
  
  A tragedy of sorts. She still might pick herself up from here. Thank you.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
wmqcolby

16/02/2017

Excellent, Iain. I enjoy the Hollywood scene, but I like the take on the prompt. Super!

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  16/02/2017
  
  Many thanks
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Leaking Ink

16/02/2017

‘Not even a big enough star for a wax museum anymore’ – great line, but such a sad story.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  16/02/2017
  
  Thank you, much appreciated.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
rgayer55

16/02/2017

Poor gal. Fame is so fleeting. The public is always looking for something new and fresh.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  16/02/2017
  
  Thank you
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
draliman

16/02/2017

It’s a terrible day when even your waxwork gets retired 🙂

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  16/02/2017
  
  It’s not a good day, that’s for sure!
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
beautyswot

16/02/2017

Brilliant

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  16/02/2017
  
  Thank you
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Mike

16/02/2017

Tonight my to comment won’t flow, but you wrote a fine story.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  16/02/2017
  
  Thanks Michael
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
plaridel

17/02/2017

it’s definitely one of your best. well done.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  17/02/2017
  
  Many thanks.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

17/02/2017

Just listened to the story of Peg Entwistle … though she was not old yet, being discarded is harsh in Hollywood…

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
Michael Wynn

17/02/2017

Expertly captured dillusionment

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  17/02/2017
  
  Thanks Michael.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Balaka

18/02/2017

The pathos of a fading star aptly portrayed. The sadness, the disheartened feeling…loved it

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  18/02/2017
  
  Thank you, much appreciated
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Emily Livingstone

19/02/2017

I love the final line–it tells us a lot about her. Nice take on the prompt!

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/02/2017
  
  Thanks Emily!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Clare Hempstead

19/02/2017

I am taken aback by how some former stars look when they are older. The sad thing is, I think they still see themselves as they once were. Nicely told.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  19/02/2017
  
  I think your right Clare, very few grow old gracefully. That might be society’s fault as much as the individual’s. Thanks.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Dawn Quyle Landau

20/02/2017

It’s hard enough aging in my simple world (back pain this week, knee last week), but brutal in Tinsel Town! Very evocative, Lain.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/02/2017
  
  Thanks Dawn. Better to grow old gracefully out of the limelight 🙂
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Tamal

20/02/2017

Nice. Throwing ones own head away that’s a striking image.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/02/2017
  
  Thanks, I thought so.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
The Reclining Gentleman

20/02/2017

It must be hard when that adulation moves on to others. It takes a strong personality to cope with fame, and a stronger one to cope without it.
Nicely told

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  20/02/2017
  
  Thank you.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
gahlearner

21/02/2017

Better the wax face shatters than the real one. She seems resiliant despite the disillusion. Great atmosphere.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  21/02/2017
  
  Thanks, I think she has the resilience to bounce back once she gets over the set back.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
lingeringvisions by Dawn

21/02/2017

Good take. I was with her the whole time.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  21/02/2017
  
  Thanks Dawn
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Sarah Potter Writes

21/02/2017

Some Hollywood actors less reliant on good looks for stardom, seem to command leading parts right up until the end of their lives.
This story is a wonderful example of how cruel the whole scene can be to those who are no longer useful.
Such a fickle world.

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Iain Kelly
  
  21/02/2017
  
  Fickle indeed, thanks Sarah.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply