What Watch?

I’m not quoting Casablanca, although that little conversation is one of my favorite bits. Actually, just about any bit of Casablanca is my favorite bit. The bit I’m not quoting, though, is this bit, wherein two characters practicing their English discuss the time:

-Sweetnessheart, what watch?
-Ten watch.
-Such much?

A week ago, I misplaced my watch and don’t know where to find it. It doesn’t have a tail, so leaving it alone hasn’t worked, either.

So yesterday, Jane and I had lunch in Louisville at Shiraz, and I took the opportunity to go to Sister Dragonfly to buy a watch. Which I did.

It isn’t something you can just up and do, you know. There’s an Ideal Watch you try to find, or at least approach. The one I lost was perfect, but the one I bought yesterday was close enough.

An ideal watch must:

  • be a cuff watch – Straps get scruffy and break, stretchy ones pinch, and bracelet ones dangle. Ugh!
  • not be digital – My grandmother spent many long hours teaching me how to tell time; I’m not about to waste her effort by using a digital watch
  • have all its numbers – Because obviously.
  • have numbers large enough to READ – again, obvs.
  • not cost much – Because I’m the one buying it.
  • not be some weird color or combination of colors that will call attention to itself – It’s a WATCH, not a LOOK AT ME.

So yesterday, I got a silver cuff watch with a fake mother-pearl face and big black numbers (all 12 of them), and I am content. I know that’s a big load off your mind.

In case you haven’t seen Casablanca, either, here’s a clip of the bit about the watch.

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: How does your main character tell the time?

MA

About

I was born in Louisville, Kentucky, but now live in the woods in southern Indiana. Though I only write fiction, I love to read non-fiction. The more I learn about this world, the more fantastic I see it is.

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One thought on “What Watch?

  1. Jane

    July 12, 2012 at 10:19am

    Does anybody really know what time it is?

    Sorry, I just had to. Let’s see: Vampires generally know what time it is because of their close relationship with sunset and sunrise.

    I used to be able to uncannily estimate the PASSAGE of time, having developed the knack during many, many timed recording sessions at the %!@. Like: “When will we get there?” Answer: “Only 23 minutes have gone by. Shut up!” OR: “Is it done yet?” “You asked me that 17 minutes ago. No.” Fortunately, I no longer have this affliction and now require the benefit of a timepiece like everybody else.

    Permalink  ⋅ Reply
    • Author

      Marian Allen

      July 12, 2012 at 11:38am

      Jane, they say that a man with a clock always knows what time it is; a man with two clocks is never sure.

      I refuse to believe you’ve lost any of your superpowers.

      Permalink  ⋅ Reply
    • Author

      Marian Allen

      July 12, 2012 at 11:37am

      It’s a nice one, Red. It has a tiny little nick in the glass, just at the bottom of the 6, which is probably why it was cheap. I’m a little the worse for wear, myself, so it should look natural on me. 🙂

      Permalink  ⋅ Reply

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