A Picture of Dorian Gray Reimagined (2015)

A modern day adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, written by my friend, Douglas, and I.

Chapter 1

Out of the extensive grounds of Prince Edward Institution rose the imposing, dark main building, richly adorned with billowing banners. Jason Immanuel Thomas was stretched out like a predatory cat on a Persian rug , watching Gabriel skillfully enhance a series of images on the monitor. The bright-eyed chap continued his craft, almost spellbound by the loveliness of the face gracing the screen. He barely noticed the lemony scent of the air freshener being undercut by stink of tobacco, a highly unusual thing that did not go unnoticed by Jason.

 

“I can’t comprehend why you would leave those photos out of your submission,” he remarked, “that Damon has a face like peaches and cream. Fresh, and beautiful enough not to be thrown in the shade by other overly-ambitious submissions. I’m tired of seeing gaudy colours haphazardly thrown together on the pretext of abstract art. Why, your photos might even tempt me into attending the upcoming exhibition!”

 

“I’ve told you before, I have my own reasons for not throwing it into the pile. Like you said, there’s something almost haunting about his expression. A ruffian like you would never understand a photographer’s pain. It’s like I’m doing his photos injustice by even exposing it to the masses. And would you quit smoking in my studio?” Only a telltale twitch in Gabriel’s facial muscles betrayed his agitation.

 

“I would have thought that you’d have an acquired taste for it by now,” smiled Jason, carelessly ignoring Gabriel’s earlier comment.  The studio overlooked the lush greenery of the school grounds. Jason eyes wandered to Oriental-style pavillion and the colourful streaks of movement in the koi pond.

 

“What an oddity you are, Gabriel! Leave those painstakingly shot photos there? In your laptop? As insignificant bits of memory classified into little kilobytes and megabytes? I cannot and will never understand the whole tragedy plaguing you artistic lot . You wait years for inspiration to hit you and decide not to showcase your brilliance to the world. The silliest thing you could do is relegate it to a mere thumbnail. A picture like Damon’s could even inspire some epiphany in the minimally talented lot of participants, and the judging panel of octogenarians. That is, if you can still teach an old dog new tricks.”

“Laugh all you want, but I stand by my decision. I’ve put too much of myself into it to show it to the world.” replied Gabriel stoutly.

 

“Well, well, well, what have we here? I never thought that you’d utter such a vain sentence! You seem to possess the same amount of self-assured vanity that your muse has. Which reminds me, when are you ever going to introduce us? He’s not going to survive here in Prince Edward behaving like some startled starling. Besides, that Adonis profile of his is sure to guarantee a naturally self-worshipping disposition and a vacuum where his brain ought to be. Me and you, we put him on display and smile blithely and laugh at him! Beauty is a gift bestowed at random, and often undeservingly. Intellect, on the other hand, finds itself at the higher end of the gene pool. Have you ever known a great politician or the head of a conglomerate to be lauded for their beauty? We great men are often dealt with such a hand, it is what nature dictates.”

 

Gabriel’s phone rang. A sweet tenor could be heard distinctly under the the photographer’s cool tone.

 

“Yes, of course Damon. Tonight at Gerald’s house, 78 Grovesnor Square. Don’t forget to keep to the theme! I’ll be waiting for you at the front gate.”

A languorous stretch. “Well, looks like our Bambi is waiting.”

(Edited on 17/01/15)

Author's Note

It's our first try writing a fanfic haha and of a great literary work at that. Constructive criticism and reviews are appreciated!