Some scene starters are situations. Others are settings. This prompt is brought to you by one of my favorite paintings: Edward Hopper's Nighthawks. In it, four people inhabit the only lit space in a dark, desolate street. It's inspired many a spoof, stage play, short story, but its question remains poignant.
This is the only place open this late. Who's here and why?
You can take this any direction you want. You can write a story about the three men and woman in the original painting, which can be found at the Art Institute of Chicago, or you could very well adapt it as some very creative folks have. A quick Google search turns up versions set in space (including one with Darth Vader next to the red haired woman), cartoonish figures, among many others. You can think of any establishment (it doesn't have to be a diner) open in the wee hours in any setting- a city, like the original, a fantasy realm, a small village in the desert, a suburb in Europe. It's as open-ended as the painting itself, the characters always nameless. It's practically an invitation, so get writing.
All prompts on this blog are free for personal and instructional use, but may not be reproduced without the permission of the author.
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