Pretty Little Head
This is my fifth year participating in the April A-to-Z Challenge. The past couple of years, I’ve written 100-word flash fiction each day. This year I’m doing the same, only with a twist: each day’s story will be inspired by the title of a Paul McCartney song. So let’s continue the fun with…
PRETTY LITTLE HEAD
“Ken!” Barbie called from the bathroom. He walked in to find Barbie frowning in the mirror.
“What is it my sweet?”
“Am I getting fat?”
Ken blinked.
“You have the figure of a porn star, my angel. Why would you ask?”
“But my arms—are they too thin?”
“Perhaps some weight training?” Ken said cautiously.
“My smile—is it bright enough?”
“Maybe whitening for your teeth, my love?”
“Are my cheeks rosy enough?”
“A little more rouge, if you like?”
“Are my eyes big enough?”
Ken was silent.
“Ken?”
“You’ve got me there, baby. For that you’ll need plastic surgery.”
Check back tomorrow for “Q”…
“Pretty Little Head” was co-written by Paul McCartney and former 10cc guitarist Eric Stewart for Paul’s 1986 album, “Press to Play.” A re-mixed version was released as a single in October of that year. To date, as far as I know, the re-mix has not been released on CD.
Here’s the music video to the single:
And here’s the album version for comparison:
There is the sense of an underlying theme here, Colin. At least in my read of it. Here you have Barbie in all of her “perfection,” questioning her looks. Of course there’s all that controversy around Barbie dolls, and that anatomically impossible body – unless you’ve been on some contraption to stretch your legs and are fitted with an 19th century corset. 🙂 It was sort of humorous how you had Ken getting a little uneasy giving his answers.
Yes! I actually tried for two humor points in this. The first, as you point out, is the irony of hyper-perfect Barbie’s dissatisfaction over her body (and, yes, Ken’s nervous affirmations), which, sadly isn’t so funny for a lot of young ladies these days. The second is the last line. Pun. Dad humor. Well, I laughed, anyway. 🙂
Barbie and Ken caught up in all their plastic majesty. I never did understand the appeal of Barbie, but this is quite funny. Even Barbie who is supposed to be so perfect has body distortion issues. And well she should. There is no room for any internal organs. That would be most uncomfortable.
I think Barbie’s internal organs all got pushed into her… um… chest region. 🙂 Being one of three brothers, Barbie was never more than a “girl’s toy” to me. I didn’t really think about her ridiculous body proportions until it was pointed out later. What were they thinking? Was she designed by a guy?
I guess they’re right when they say that ‘beauty is in the eyes of the person who sees it’. This is hilarious.
Thanks, Me. I thought this was fun–with a tiny bit of a message. 🙂
Barbie and Ken. Gotta love it.
Are they still together?
Plastic surgery! I’m trying to keep a straight face, but it’s hard. Not as hard as Barbie’s, of course. I won’t take that into any anatomical discussion regarding Ken, this is a family blog.
Dad humor FTW. *high five* 🙂
“Plastic surgery” – ha!
You asked who designed Barbie. I seem to remember she started as a German toy for men – a little sex doll. So you nailed it, Colin!
Eek! Well, that explains a lot. 🙂 Thanks, Celia!
I’d recommend skipping the plastic surgery on the eyes. Ouch! o.o
~Ninja Minion Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
Yes, that does seem a little extreme. But it seems people do that kind of thing. :-\
Groan…………….
I remember my brother doing some plastic surgery on one of my Barbies when we were kids. Unfortunately, after the surgery, the doll went into the trash can.
Yes. My older brother and I did some creative work on Action Men (kind of like GI Joe action figures). I recall one had a beard that I shaved. Of course it was glued on, so it took some work with a knife to remove… :-\
As usual, loved it!
(Oh, I also loved the visual of little Colin shaving a glued-on beard of an Action Man figurine!)
Thanks, Kae! And I was usually such a good child. Sort of. 🙂