Self-deception

This week's prod is: Self-deception:

Who do you know that's guilty of self-deception? Nearly everyone is guilty of self-deception at one time or another. This facet of our personalities can be a wonderful tool for humanizing characters and rounding them out.

Remember: show, don't tell. For example, don't write: “George was ugly. But he constantly annoyed the women around him by flirting with them.”

Flesh it out, like in this (admittedly outrageous and stereotyped) example:

George leered at the waitress. “Bring me a beer. And if you're quick about it I might decide I like you enough to take you out tonight.” The waitress froze momentarily, mouth open, then turned away quickly. George scratched the wart on his nose, and leaned back in his chair. The buttons strained across the bowling ball shape that was his belly. He scanned the room quickly. Not much talent here. Not at all. That little waitress might have to do, though she was a brunette. Blondes, tall, with long legs were his preference.

This example is the cheap and easy way out. Write 200 words about a character that is fooling themselves. Bonus if you can arrange the scene so that the reader realizes the truth late in the scene. Let's see what you've got.

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