Day 42

Start writing a story that…

Step 1: begins with this sentence: He put on his hat

Step 2: add a scene that takes place in a big city
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He put on his hat, a gray fedora with a pigeon feather sticking out of the band, and stepped into the dark city street. He began to make his way up the block, tightening the belt of his overcoat, which he wore despite the heavy summer heat. Several cabs drove past him, but he made no move to flag them down. Lenny had a mystery to solve, and he felt the walk was just what he needed to focus his mind.

After two blocks, he came to Ritchie's Pizzeria, a favorite when he was on a case. He stepped inside and ordered two cheese slices and a root beer.

"Hey, Lenny!" said Ritchie as he slid the slices onto a paper plate. "Another case today?"

"Yeah," Lenny said. "Tough one."

"You'll get it!"

Lenny paid for the slices and soda and sat at a table beside the window. He took out a notebook and began writing some observations as he took bites of the pizza. With no Dr. Watson or other assistant to write about the details of his work, it was all on him to keep a clear record. Looking around the restaurant, he saw Ritchie working alone at the counter while Virgil cooked in the back. At a table near the counter sat a man and woman in their early 30s. They were sharing a large green pepper and olive pizza while typing on their respective phones. Lenny watched as the woman refilled her glass from the pitcher of soda, then offered to refill the man's glass, but he should his head. She put the pitcher back down and resumed looking at her phone while she drank.

Lenny wrote in his notebook:
Man and woman. Phones. Intense.
Potential 1: Having affairs? 
Potential 2: Laundering money?
Potential 3: Secret identities?

Lenny recognized the potential for future business. He stood up to throw away his plate and walked an extra wide loop to the trashcans so that he could go past their table. As he did, he slid his card in front of them. "Leonard Martin, Private Eye." They briefly looked up from their phones, confused. He tipped his fedora at them.

"Just give a call," he said, and headed back out onto the city streets.