Magnifique [5MinuteFreeWrite]

_{Background Source}

Car horns blared and construction equipment thundered across the block. Their sounds combined made for a deafening cacophony of apocalyptic proportions. It takes a special skill to sleep through the barrage of noise that echoed all over the city. Sadly for the painter, he didn't possess such a talent.

The raggedy man shot up from his makeshift bed as soon as he was blasted by the ear-splitting racket. His hair was disheveled, and his beard was riddled with dry paint. He squatted in front of a mural that he had been commissioned to work on some years ago. Even though it had been deemed completed some time ago, he never really accepted that decision, thinking that there was still something missing.

Years ago, the man was regarded as a painter of some renown. He specialized in murals, and was awarded the task of adorning the public library. Thinking that it could be his Sistine Chapel, he accepted the honor and devoted his life to emblazoning it with his masterpiece. He didn't know it, but that was the beginning of the end for him.

In the following years, he would go on to paint a masterpiece unrivaled at the time, but in the process, resulted in him losing his family and severing ties to everyone he knew. He became obsessed with his project, which caused him to grow detached to everything else that mattered. With every brushstroke, he lost a piece of himself to the wall.

The city council commended his dedication, and awarded him the money he was owed. But, he refused to accept it until his work was finished. His artwork changed along with his life and the times. It never really seemed like he was ever going to complete it. As his funds ran out, he was forced to accept the payment so that he could finance his independent venture. He sold his house and everything he owned, then moved in directly beside his mural. That was fourteen or so years ago.

Now, completely alone, he stared at the wall, contemplating about the missing piece that would complete his artwork. He thought about everything that he had lost and all the sacrifices that he had made. When he started this journey, he was tasked to decorate the public library, but now the hodgepodge of imagery represented his life more. He picked up his brush, dipped it in black paint, and drew a straight line.

"Magnifique!" he gleefully shouted. His eyes were glassy and his mouth was agape. He clasped his hands together and rested his tired chin on them. Basking in the glory of his life's work, he couldn't help but let his tears flow.

After a few moments, a wrecking ball swooped across and demolished the wall.

---

In honor of @improv's beard shaving and his fabulous 5-Minute Free Write Series. I was in the zone for this one! Reaching this many number of words surprised even myself. I didn't know I was capable of such a feat, and you can too! Once you do, make sure to comment me and/or @improv with the link. I don't want to speak in behalf of him, mainly because he has a mouth of his own, but personally, I would be excited to read your entry haha!

The mechanics are simple: you set the timer to 5 minutes (no more, no less), sit in front of your computer, and you write your ass off until you're told not to, but then you bargain for just a little more and then your phone slaps you in the face while telling you 'NO.' Check his profile out for more of these wonderful freestyle fiction! :D

---

Got a spare witness vote?

Vote for lukestokes.mhth! You won't regret it ;)