Breakfast in bed Quote by Gemma Burgess
““Abigail,’ he says. ‘I thought it was you.’ ‘Hi!’ I say loudly. ‘Mark!’ ‘Who?’ says Robert. Fuck, he doesn’t know his real name. Why do I give everyone stupid nicknames? ‘I almost don’t recognise you out of your SKINNY JEANS,’ I enunciate carefully. He’s wearing grey flannel trousers and a pink T-Shirt with leather Converses. He speaks clothes exceptionally confidently for a straight man. I wonder if he’d take me shopping. ‘Oh, right. Got it.’ ‘That’s odd,’ says Skinny Jeans. ‘Since I was wearing nothing at all when you left my room without saying goodbye . . . let’s see, seven weeks ago?’ ‘Um, yes. Well, you know . . .’ I trail off. Come on, Robert, I think desperately. ‘I’m sorry, were you planning on making me breakfast in bed?’ says Robert. Yes! Make a joke! ‘I’m sorry, were you planning on making me breakfast in bed?’ I say. Skinny Jeans grins. ‘Scrambled eggs? Toast? On a little tray?’ ‘Scrambled eggs? Toast? On a little tray with a rose on it?’ I say. ‘Don’t fuck with my script,’ says Robert, which makes me grin slightly more broadly””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Unnamed contemporary fiction, 2023
The narrator reflects on identity, misrecognition, and the absurdity of everyday interactions, highlighting how we assign meaning through nicknames and clothing.
In simple terms: People often misinterpret each other based on superficial cues.
Question assumptions about identity.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- dating
- friendship
- social media
- personal branding
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does a nickname reveal about us?
- How do clothing choices affect perception?
The dialogue may feel disjointed, limiting clear insight.