This short story was written for Dan Antion’s (No Facilities) Thursday Doors Writing Challenge. It was inspired by a painted door I saw at a local artists’ village. A little warning, this story is a bit darker than the other ones I’ve shared.
Under the Rainbow
Dorothy shifted uncomfortably in her hard plastic chair. The air in the room was stale, smelling of early morning coffee breath. She looked down at her watch and was irritated to find that she still had 15 minutes left of this slow death.
Edmond, the insufferable little English prig was droning on and on about his brother and sisters, a closet (or, as he called it, a “wardrobe”), and some people who were turned into stone. We all have problems, Dorothy thought, why should I care about yours? She was about to fake a heart attack just to get out of there when Edmond said something about a lion and a witch. What the heck? Had he been there too?
When the group leader ended the session with his usual feel good, namaste BS, Dorothy made a beeline for the door. As soon as she stepped outside, she lit her fourth cigarette of the day and inhaled the fumes as if they gave her life. Scanning her surroundings, she felt as flat, dusty, and depressed as the landscape. “I flipping hate Kansas” she mumbled under her breath.
“What’s that?” Damn, it was that new girl. Pretty, blonde, and another English accent. “What did you think of the session?” Miss Priss asked smiling.
“I’ve been coming for three years and still haven’t gotten anything out of it,” Dorothy answered, hoping to cut the conversation short.
“Alice, my name is Alice,” Miss Priss said, extending her hand. “I feel like I’ve been chasing down rabbit holes my whole life and would really like to stop. I hope these meetings can fix me.”
“All of us are here for the same thing but I’m starting to wonder why we would want to leave those other worlds and exist permanently in this one,” Dorothy replied. “They might have contained dark magic and evil forces, but at least they were interesting.”
“You’re right,” Alice replied. “It wasn’t all Red Queens and madness. I had some opportunities for personal growth too.”
“Well, good luck,” Dorothy offered as she stubbed out her cigarette on the side of the building. “I hope you find what you need. I think this will be the last Rentering Reality support group I’ll attend.” Dorothy walked away without a backward glance.
As she headed home, she thought about her sad, miserable life and how everyone she loved was now gone. First, Auntie Em wasted away from cancer, then Uncle Henry drowned in bottles of cheap gin. Toto One—her only witness to her adventure—was dead. Even Toto Two had the good sense to run away and never come back. Why bother sticking around this god-forsaken place? she asked herself. Why exist in a black and white world when you can live in color?
Approaching her house, Dorothy fully grasped the property’s decay for the first time. The garden, once Auntie Em’s pride and joy, was covered in weeds. The barn and livestock pens—where the terrifying pigs had been kept—were almost as flattened as the Kansas topography. Her house was headed in that direction too; missing roof shingles, rotted siding, and dangerously uneven front steps. The sudden wash of guilt Dorothy felt nearly brought her to her knees.
Once inside, Dorothy knew exactly what she needed to do. Before she could change her mind, she headed for the cellar. As she descended the steps into darkness, she could see a faint red glow in the corner.
The ruby slippers were waiting for her, just as they had been for many years. Dorothy carefully put them on, not surprised at all that they fit perfectly, despite her shoe size changing over time. Looking down at her feet, Dorothy started to click her heels together: one… two… three…
“There’s no place like Oz, there’s no place like Oz, there’s no place like Oz.”
Don’t forget to check out the other submissions for the Thursday Doors Writing Challenge and – who knows? – maybe you’ll be inspired to add one of your own.
Retirementally Challenged 
Wow. I love this! Very clever. Makes me want to listen to “Dark Side of the Moon” now.
I’m glad you liked it! It was fun to imagine a darker side to Dorothy.
Oh I love it! And love that door too! Great job.
Thank you! I loved the door too. That village is full of colorful studio doors.
Neat story to go with the door image! I thought it was a neat twist to the story and I really enjoyed finding out the therapy session was for others like her. I like that it has a happy ending and she gets back to Oz maybe Alice can get back to her Wonderland too. 😀
Yes, Alice back to Wonderland. I’m not sure Edmund wants to go back to Narnia though 🙂
Definitely dark, Janis but a great twisty tale! Loved it!
Thank you, Terri. I loved all of those books as a child and it was fun to imagine them as (maybe not so successful)
adults.
Very smart use of the characters! And loved the door. I’m enjoying your forays into fiction.
Isn’t that door great? I’m enjoying writing fiction also and finding story inspiration is the weirdest places.
Love, love love this Janis! I think most of us have had days (months, years…) like Dorothy’s. Give me the alternate reality, please!!! 😄
Deb
Ha! Wouldn’t it be great to have a pair of ruby slippers handy?
Janis — You have a real gift for the short story form! Are you reading George Saunders’ blog about stories? I think he’s inspiring.
Thank you! And, thanks for the blog tip. I’ll check it out.
What a terrific story. I enjoyed her returning to OZ.
I think she’ll be happier there… at least I hope so.
Such a delight! Gripping from the very beginning, I could FEEL, SMELL, and TASTE her misery. And the “was he there, too” threw me off initially since it was Dorothy, and not Lucy. So creative, I love the look through these different reality lenses of stories and characters we thought we knew so well.
Dorothy has some willpower to not wear those red slippers more often… 😁
I’m so happy you liked my story! The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was one of my favorite books as a child so I had to work Narnia in my story too. Funny how Oz and Narnia both had a witch and a lion in the storyline.
I did like it very much (though with your warning I was expecting some morbid happenings, glad I didn’t find any dripping limbs scattered around 😁). And it wasn’t until I read it that I realized the lion and the witch overlap, which IS funny given how many times I read both and knew that to be true. It created an extra layer of enjoyment in revealing another facet of stories I thought I knew!
Really unique door and the story was perfect!
Thank you, Kate. I loved that door too.
Yay! You’re writing again. I’ve missed you. I like your story. Great take on the prompt, almost creepy but not quite.
Haha… sorry about the creepy part! I’m happy to share a story again and I’m glad you liked it.
Are you back to blogging– or is this a special occasion?
I haven’t really left. We are in the middle of a big house project so it’s hard to find time. I hope to get back to my regular irregular schedule soon.
Just started our house improvements this week. I hear ‘ya, it’s hard to focus on writing. It’s easier to go around and comment elsewhere.
I like this very much, Janis. Returning from OZ couldn’t have been all that interesting, after the initial happiness faded. I liked the twist at the end, but I can well imagine Dorthy heading back to OZ. That welcome song is playing in my head 😉
I wonder if the munchkins will be there to great her? I agree that Kansas couldn’t have been all that interesting after her journey over the rainbow… I think I’d want to go back too.
Haha!
This story literally took my breath away. The characters were from my favourite childhood books as well. Thought-provoking and very, very creative! You are incredibly talented.
Thank you, my friend. I hope you weren’t too disappointed with how the characters turned out as adults 🙂
Well, at least Dorothy gave it a go…so her leaving “Reality Rehab” was decided in a mindful manner! HA! I loved your premise and use of those specific fictional characters – a good read with a zinger of a ‘moral’ and/or social statement to boot! Who knew all those very cool door photos you took back in your travel days would be put to such a great recycled use, huh?
I think Dorothy will be much happier in Oz. That door is actually from a local artists village (in Balboa Park) so I didn’t have to travel far… although I’m looking forward to more adventures further afield.
That door is spectacular! I enjoyed your story, — very interesting and not too dark.
Someone had a lot of fun painting that door. I’m glad you enjoyed my story. 🙂
Love the story. Love the door even more. I’d steal it, but my HOA wouldn’t allow it. Sad to see the security details on the door, apparently necessary. I didn’t notice them at first.
The door is in an area where there are a lot of people by day but pretty deserted at night. It’s too bad we have to have security anywhere. Think of all the money and worry we’d save if we didn’t.
Great story! Who wouldn’t want a pair of Ruby slippers. Btw, we used to read the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe each week in Year 5 at school. It was a favourite of mine too!
I’m happy you liked my story! I don’t read much fantasy now but I loved those books when I was young. One of these days, I’d like to re-read them as an adult… I’d probably see things in a different light.
No doubt!
Haha!!! This is FUN in a really great slightly twisted way, LOL!!! I went back and read it a second time to absorb it all. So interesting to think about the places we long for, and what it would really be like to return to them. This is very creative.
Fun and twisted… I like that! I guess the admonition “Be careful what you wish for” applies here.
Having lived in Kansas for a little over thirty years, this certainly captured my attention and brought a smile. It is a wonderful take on Dorothy and the crew. As always, your writing is wonderful, and thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you, Judy. I’m sure that Kansas offers a lot as a state, but I can only think of the Wizard of Oz when I hear its name 🙂 I’m glad you liked my story.
Unlike you, as a kid I found The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland scary and creepy. However, as an adult, I enjoyed your story and found your creativity very inspiring. Love that door – and the way you captured it through your lens!
Isn’t it funny how we all perceive things differently? I loved them, and The Chronicles of Narnia too (The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe was my favorite). I’m glad you enjoyed my story (and didn’t find it too scary and creepy 🙂 ).
Follow the yellow brick road….. sign me up please! Janis, I love your occasional segway back to the blogoverse. Now I’m off to find my ruby red slippers.
I hope to be back more often (although I’ve come to terms with the fact that I will never have a regular schedule 🙂 ) when we are done with a big house project. I think we’d all like our own personal ruby red slippers… good luck finding yours!
Wonderful story, and I agree not too dark. 🙂 – Marty
Some people don’t like it when beloved characters are messed with 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed my story… and seeing Dorothy in a different light.
What a wonderful story, Janis, and perfect to pair with that incredible door. This wasn’t too dark, either. 🙂 Loved it!
Thank you! I was worried that some readers may not like this version of Dorothy but it seems that nobody has minded (at least those who left comments). It was fun to imagine her as an adult.
Fantastic! Such a creative mind you have.
Thank you! I had no idea that all of those characters were swirling around in my head before they found themselves in my story.
A very creative story! I was engaged from the beginning to the end. Knowing how to live in the real world when the magical one is far superior is tricky, but Dorothy seems to have a solution. 🙂 Very well done!
Thank you! I think Dorothy will end up okay once she gets over the rainbow 🙂
Janis, Wonderful story and door photo. Now I go looking for my red ruby slippers 🙂
I know! Wouldn’t they come in handy now and then?
It sounds like you managed to combine loads of references and characters in this story, Janis. I never watched or read The Wizard of Oz but I recognized some of the characters that I heard people talk about. What a fun exercise to imagine them all outside of their own realities, into our world and as adults… I enjoyed reading your story!
Hope there’s progress on the other side of the back windows. 🙂
It’s hard to believe you missed reading or seeing TWoO, but I imagine you had a different set of adventure/fantasy stories growing up? And, yes there has been progress on our deck 🙂 Hope all is well!
Clever, very clever.
Thank you, Helen! It was fun to write.
This is so clever! And the door is amazing.
Hi Anabel, I’m happy you liked my story. The door certainly was an attention-getter.
Glad to see another story here, Janis! Well done!
Thank you, Tracey!
Very creative. I did read the book “Wicked” (very different than the musical), so it was interesting seeing still another spin on the story of Dorothy and Oz. I’m just not sure her return to Oz will be what she hoped. See, you got me thinking!
I really hope she finds happiness 🙂 I read Wicked but never saw the musical. I loved how the book explored the characters in a different way.
This was not near as dark as I was expecting. I thought it was a super interesting twist on classic characters.
Maybe I should remove that line about the story being dark. Most of my short stories have happy endings and this one not only showed Dorothy’s life in a negative light but the ending was not necessarily happy. Anyway, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I love the updated Dorothy! Well done, Janis.
Thank you! I’m sorry that Dorothy experienced hard times but I’m sure she’ll find the happiness she is looking for 🙂
Indeed, I’m sure she’ll persevere.
There was “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and now this is “Thoroughly Modern Dorothy” – very creative Janis. In looking at the photo of the door in the header image, I didn’t “get” that it was Oz and the Yellow Brick Road until the end of the story. I just thought it was a very colorful door.
Well, it is a colorful door… with a yellow brick road, a rainbow, and a green city 🙂 I’m glad you like the story, Linda!
I did Janis – keep those short stories coming. 🙂
I loved this – and didn’t find it dark, although I understand why you might label it as such. The contrast in Dorothy’s grey world against the promise of the ruby red slippers. We’re all told we should just get on with reality but every so often it would be lovely to pop those slippers on, tap them 3 times and…
Thanks, Jo. We’d all like to escape reality at times and better with ruby red slippers than with other, unhealthy things, right? Dorothy may even give up her pack-a-day habit in Oz 🙂
Wow – 3 tales revived into a new and twisting version, nice job Janis!
I loved these types of books when I was young and often wondered what might happen to the characters after they returned home… I guess now I know 🙂
It’s fun to bring back our childhood memories and revive them into new stories. You did a wonderful job of doing so.
OMG, I LOVE IT! Fantastic! “Personal growth”. LOL
Oh, I’m so glad you got that reference. I wasn’t sure if anyone would. Thanks for reading my story and commenting!
Quite a surprise! I like this very much. The door is a gem, too! 🙂
Thank you! I was hoping to add an unexpected vision of her adult life.
Very nice. And what a beautiful door!
Thank you. They have a bunch of colorful doors in Spanish Village, but that was a real eye-catcher.
Hi Janis, This painted door beckons us in and I suspect all may not be bright and rosy. Good ones “lion and a witch” “Kansas” “Dorothy” “Alice”
You have taken me down the rabbit hole of memories and childhood fantasies. I am spellbound, not wanting to miss a word.
Ahhh….the ironic twist…..good one, Janis.
I have said it before and I truly mean it…you are exceptionally talented and creative.❤️
Thank you so much for your kind words, Erica! I’m glad you enjoyed my twisted tale. So good to see you back commenting (might not a post be far behind?).
Very clever and very entertaining. Such a good read. And the door photo is the perfect lure and accompaniment.
Peta
Thank you, Peta! The door was so beautiful, I thought it just needed a story to go with it.
I didn’t find this dark at all. We’ve all been to meetings like that, and it was actually quite satisfying to see what Dorothy did about it. It seems to me that writers have a love-hate relationship with realities and can especially appreciate the tension implied in this. I very much enjoyed your idea.
Thank you for your comment. I think Dorothy, after many years of living in a very sad reality, will find happiness back in Oz. I hope her three buddies will be waiting there for her 🙂
Sounds like a good solution to Kansas to me. (K)
Haha! Yes, I think I’d be clicking my heels together too 🙂
I love this, Janis! What a great story. I love your imagination. I’d definitely be off to Narnia. 🙂 Well done.
Thank you! I can think of several fantasy lands that I’d prefer right now 🙂
No kidding. Loved the story.
Ooh, great story! So creative and clever!
I’m happy you liked it. Sometimes, being a grownup and dealing with reality isn’t all that great. We occasionally need a pair of ruby red slippers.
At least she avoided another tornado. 😉 Enjoyed your story!
Good point! Travel via ruby slippers is much safer than via a house in a tornado!
I like the little twists and surprise at the end
I’m glad you liked my story. It was fun to imagine a grown up Dorothy.
and all the little creative stuff – under rainbow be over – no place like “Oz” – it was cleverly done
😀
Thank you!
Here you are, writing entertaining fiction! I chuckled the whole way through. Reminder to myself – be careful where pretty doors take you ;))
Yes, pretty doors can be deceiving 🙂 I started to write short stories at the beginning of the pandemic and am enjoying the creative outlet. If you’d like to read more, just click on Short Stories up on the menu bar.
Thank you for posting these – it’s a wonderful gift to the blogging world 🙂
🙂
Wow, Janis. What powerful writing. I absolutely loved this story. I have no words, except to say thank you for sharing it with us.
Thank you for such a wonderful comment… you made me smile. I’m glad you enjoyed my story, Christie!