The Fruitcake Special by Frank Brennan

Its’ a story about Anna, a chemist who works in a cosmetic company in USA. She discovers something amazing when she tries putting up a piece of her favourite fruit cake into her chemical mixture to create a new kind of perfume. Trying out her new invention, she sprays the perfume on her that brings rewards her attention from men. One of them is her boss, Mr. Amos who then invites her for dinner.

However, something strange happens that night, Mr. Amos behaves totally different. So, Anna wonders the reason that brings her to the ladies. She uses the other perfume to the dinner, Intrigue which could be the reason. She is going to spray some more perfume, but Intrigue is not anywhere in her bag, instead the fruitcake perfume is there. She sprays some fruitcake perfume, and things awkwardly 'shine' to her. Even the waiter takes a shot on her. She returns to the table but a phone call is waiting for her. Thus, she goes get the phone call.

Returning to the table, Anna finds that Mr. Amos is now joined by his girlfriend, Sabina the model. Surprisingly, Mr. Amos tells his current girlfriend that he is in love with Anna. Upon all this, Anna has already known that all those awkward and strange behaviours come from that perfume effect. They fight and Anna is forced to walk out of the scene and she returns home by taxi.

Anna misses the work on the next day and finds out the ingredients in the fruitcake from Aunt Mimi. Anna learns that there is a secret ingredient in the fruitcake from Aunt Mimi who buys the cake from an old lady. Sadly, as Anna tries to find the old lady, she learns that the old lady has already died.

After a two days off, Anna returns to office to find Mr. Amos's note asking her to see him. As she enters Mr. Amos's office, she finds him with Sabina. Mr. Amos apologizes to Anna and explains that he has no idea what could he behave such a way the other days. Sabina cynically says to Anna that what Mr. Amos wants to say is that he himself does not understand why he could get attracted to Anna. Anna feels insulted. She takes the fruitcake perfume and pours in on Sabina. She quits job.

She finds another job with the Intrigue company. Armstrong, the pizza delivery man, one day comes to visit Anna. He brings pizza and flowers. He confesses to Anna that he falls in love with Anna at the first sight. Now, as he owns a pizza company, he asks Anna for a date.

Well, that’s how the story ends. So, what do you think of the after-ending? Do Anna and Armstrong settle down together? What do you think happened to Mr Amos and Sabina?

With your partner, discuss on a sequel for the story. Give your sequel a title.

One day, Anna randomly creates a new perfume by mixing a slice of fruitcake with flowers. She ______________ (1) it on herself to test it. ____________________(2), the Fruitcake Special turns out to be an exotic lure for men. David Amos who happens to be walking past Anna is _______________________(3) smitten and asks her out for dinner. That evening, Anna puts on her usual perfume, Intringue, and Amos becomes cool _____________________(4) her. Intent on ______________________(5) her pride, Anna dabs herself liberally with the only ____________________(6) in her handbag - the one she created. The effect on David was __________________(7) and he becomes romantically attentive to Anna again. To _________________(8) matters further, their waiter for the evening is also affected by the new perfume and serenades Anna. A fight __________________(9) between the waiter, David and Sabrina, who arrives just in time to hear David declare his love for Anna. Anna leaves hastily. Eventually Anna works in a rival perfume company and is _____________________(10) by Armstrong, now a pizza company owner. Aunt Mimi and Momma can now sleep peacefully at night!

Perfume

Cosmetics

Chemist

Waiter

Embarrass

Disappointment

Lobster

Intringue

A feeling of dissatisfaction of being let down.

Person who waits on customers at a restaurant .

Some things out of the ordinary / fascinating.

Substances used to enhance one's appearance / makeup

A mixture of oils and compounds used to give human body a pleasant smell.

Scientist trained in the science of chemistry

A type of large shellfish with large claws eaten as seafood.

Emotional state experienced as a result of socially unaccepted act / condition.