Go Go Boots

In today's story, Go Go Boots, Daria is up for a promotion

Today's prompt was inspired by '60s fashion and the Summer of Self-Love theme at the yoga studio where I teach, Sthira Sukham Yoga. 

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More about Susan Quilty

Susan Quilty mainly writes novels, including two standalone novels and her current YA series: The Psychic Traveler Society.  Susan's short stories for Freely Written are created during quick writing breaks and shared as a way to practice her narration skills before she dives into recording audio versions of her novels.

Website:  SusanQuilty.com
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Transcript

Below is the transcript for Season 1, Episode 143 of Freely Written, a podcast by author Susan Quilty:

Welcome to Freely Written where a simple prompt leads to a little unplanned fiction.  

[Light piano music]

Hi, friends! I’m Susan Quilty and today’s prompt is Go Go Boots.

Today’s prompt is a throwback to ‘60s fashion. Go Go boots are white mid-calf or knee-high boots with low chunky heels that were popular in the 1960s. They were often paired with mini-skirts and got their name from Go Go dancing, a style of dance that was all the rage. 

Why the ‘60s throwback? Well, the studio where I mainly teach yoga—Sthira Sukham Yoga—is currently decked out in hearts and flowers for a special Summer of Self-Love theme. It’s super fun and when I was looking around this morning, I was tempted to shop for some mod-style dresses and go go boots… which led to choosing today’s prompt. 

While the prompt came from ‘60s fashion, I tried to put that out of my mind so I could write from a fresh slate. As a reminder, I have a certain process for my Freely Written stories: I sit down with a prompt and write whatever comes to mind, with no planning and very little editing. Then, I record the story and share it with you.

Here’s what came up today:

Go Go Boots

The bunker was gray cement on the outside. A crumbling structure that would appear abandoned to anyone who might wander deep into the forest. Visitors were unlikely as the forest was high on a mountain, far from any State Parks or small towns. To planes that might pass overhead, the bunker’s mottled roof was camouflaged by the trees’ thick canopy. 

While the outside of the bunker faded into its surroundings, the inside was incredibly bright. White walls, white floors, and high-powered lights banishing shadows. Most of the inhabitants wore white jumpsuits with white boots. Only the highest ranks wore colored jumpsuits and black boots. Blue for the top scientists, green for engineers, red for security officials, and purple for Councilors, a core team who were responsible for politics and general leadership of the facility.  

Daria wore a white jumpsuit and white boots. She walked down the corridor amid a colorful team wearing blue, green, and red. They were headed toward the council office and anyone who saw them was sure to assume Daria was being promoted. 

Generally, individuals did not attend council meetings. They were only invited for promotions to the color level or to decide punishment for crimes that transcended lower management. No one would believe Daria was capable of a crime. They would not be surprised if she were being promoted, though it was unclear whether she would ascend to a blue or green jumpsuit. 

Unlike most of the bunker’s workers, who spent their whole lives in only one field, Daria split her time between the science and engineering departments. She floated where she was needed, working on high-level projects and often stepping in to solve others’ complex problems. Daria was special.

Though Daria’s skills were well known, no one suspected that her promotion could lead to a red jumpsuit. 

A few years earlier, amid working on her various projects, Daria had been quietly brought in to advise on the bunker’s security systems. While there, she’d quite naturally found an aptitude for espionage. The security team had seen the value in Daria’s floating position and used her to freely gain insight into both the science and engineering departments.  

Since then, she had effectively been a member of the security department regardless of where she spent her working hours. 

Like the others, Daria assumed her invitation to the council meeting would result in a promotion. And she was just as unsure about what color jumpsuit she would be receiving. Was it finally time for her to step up in just one department? Would she be given a choice? 

Daria enjoyed her work in both the science and engineering departments, as much as she enjoyed the secret intelligence gathering she did for security. She did not want to limit herself to one department and didn’t know how she would choose if that was required. 

When they reached the council office, the doors opened into a large chamber where the six-person council sat at a long, elevated table. The room, like the rest of the interior, was white. Though the lighting was a bit softer, allowing for a dimness at the edges of the room that only accentuated the light bathing the council. Their purple jumpsuits were a rich, plum and their features were gently highlighted in this flattering light. 

In contrast, the podium where Daria stood was washed in the same bright light as the rest of the bunker’s interior. She felt the intensity of the light. Her white jumpsuit felt like a beacon amid the colors around her. Yet Daria did not show her discomfort. She had been invited and she belonged in this meeting. As always, she refused to be defined by the anyone but herself. 

The head of the council spoke into the silence. 

“You are a curious case, Daria Miller.” The others watched Daria intently, some nodding in agreement. “Your skills defy our organizational structure yet have proven to be quite useful to our community. Representatives from each department have come together to request your promotion to our color level. This will lead to a change in your responsibilities. Are you ready for that change?”

Daria considered the question carefully. Promotions to the color level were rare. If she accepted, her residence would move, and she would have access to restricted areas in the bunker. She would spend portions of her day in those separated places, doing whatever those in the color level did when they weren’t moving among the rest of the workers. 

The promotion appealed to her, though Daria wasn’t keen on accepting change without knowing what that change would be. 

“I suppose it depends on what you are offering,” Daria answered carefully, mindful to use a respectful tone. “I appreciate an opportunity to ascend, but as you said, I am a curious case. What would my promotion entail?”

The head of the council smiled softly, though there was no warmth reflected in his eyes. 

“This is part of your… charm,” he said with a hint of mockery. “A reluctance to go along, to stay in one box.” He waved off the arguments from Daria’s supporters. “Yes, yes, I’ve heard all about her successes and strengths.”

He beckoned toward one edge of the room where a woman in a gray jumpsuit stepped from the shadows. Gray jumpsuits were reserved for leaders of the bunker’s support staff. Those who worked in the kitchens, laundry, and maintenance departments. 

The woman wheeled over a metal cart that held a pair of black boots and a folded jumpsuit. Daria peered at the folded material, straining to make sense of it, until the woman lifted the jumpsuit for all to see. 

It was a hybrid jumpsuit. Half blue and half green. Not a blend of colors or mix of stripes. One half was blue from collar to cuffs, the other was green. It looked as if two jumpsuits had been split in the middle and neatly stitched back together. Which, Daria realized, was likely exactly what they had done. 

“So, I don’t have to choose?” Daria asked, noting the strangeness of the hybrid jumpsuit and a pride rising in her at the sight of it. 

“We have chosen to keep your expertise in both areas,” the head of the council replied, his tone a mild reprimand. 

“In both…” Daria echoed as her eyes drifted to the representative from security. It would be too much to have a jumpsuit split in thirds. Daria tried to picture that and failed. 

“Ostensibly,” the head of the council answered. “You work in two departments and will be promoted in both of those departments.”

There was a hesitation in his voice that raised Daria’s hope. She waited. They all knew about her secret involvement in a third department. She wasn’t going to be the one to bring it up.

The head of the council nodded toward the woman in the gray jumpsuit. She lifted a black vest from the metal table. Daria had been so focused on the colorful jumpsuit that she hadn’t noticed it folded beside the boots. 

Those in security wore black vests over their jumpsuits. They were protective gear that also marked their authority. 

“This is to be worn under your jumpsuit,” the head of the council explained. “You will keep it out of sight, just as you keep any additional duties to yourself. Is that understood?”

Daria nodded quickly, ready to accept her new role. 

“The go go boots will also be worn with your new jumpsuit, though they are indistinguishable from the boots we all wear.”

“Go go boots?” Daria was puzzled by the term and the head of the council’s smile finally reached his eyes.

“Ah, something you haven’t noticed on your own. Would you care to explain?” he asked the security representative.

“Go go boots look just like the other black boots,” she said, “if you don’t look too closely at the soles.” She lifted a boot from the tray, holding it up for Daria to see. 

“The soles have special tread that is designed for mountain terrain. Retractable cleats are triggered with this small switch on the inside of the heel.” 

She triggered the switch causing metal cleats to extend from within the thick tread. Daria’s eyes widened as she considered the possibilities, the reasons for having this special feature. 

“So, part of my new responsibilities,” she began haltingly but couldn’t bring herself to finish the thought. 

“May include going into the forest,” the head of the council confirmed. “Are you ready for your promotion?”

Daria’s head swirled with images of the forest outside the bunker. There were thick windows on the top floor, and rotating shifts brought them all into the sheltered yard for fresh air twice a week, but very few were permitted to out into the forest. 

“Yes,” Daria answered eagerly. Her eyes swept from the promise of the go go boots to the head of the council’s now somber face. “Yes,” she repeated. “I’m ready.”

The End 

Thanks for listening. When I started writing, I had a vague idea of making the go go boots some kind of special gear instead of a fashionable dancing shoe, but I didn’t know how I’d get there. Sometimes it’s fun to write to a goal like that, trying to lead my story into a place where I can fit in a reference to my prompt. 

I also love creating glimpses into these strange worlds without having to sit down and plan a viable community that could be explored in a full novel. That’s part of joy that comes with free writing, letting my imagination roam. And, who knows, maybe this is a setting that I can revisit someday, turning it into a larger story.  

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please share it with your friends. I would also love for you to check out my novels and other books. You can visit SusanQuilty.com to learn more, look for links in the show notes, or search for “Susan Quilty” wherever you buy books. 

There are many, many books you could read, and I hope one or more of my novels will make it onto your reading list. Books also make great gifts. As an indie author, I’m truly grateful for your support!

Until next time, try a little free writing of your own. Let go of any planning and see where your imagination takes you. 

[Light piano music]