“FAIRY TALES FOR MILLENIALS” by Bruno Vincent

I am a girl who grew up reading fairy tales, and I believe in them. The specialists could even say that I was influenced by them.

Bruno Vincent decided to translate the classical fairy tales for the Millenials, and thus he wrote “Fairy Tales for Millenials.”

As an example, I chose the Cinderella story.

In this new version, the stepmother is named Queen after the death of her husband, the rightful King. As a Queen, she decides to start a company where she gives the titles of CEO and CFO to her own daughters (nepotism!!!). At the same time, Cinderella becomes “unpaid intern at the firm”.
“She was expected to work sixteen-hour days cleaning the office, managing the stockroom, and signing for and unloading deliveries.”

As well as in the original story, Cinderella arrives at the ball, dances with the Prince Charming, and at midnight she runs away, losing a shoe.
“The next thing that people were talking about in the office was the online campaign to find Prince Charming’s mysterious girl.”

When Prince Charming finds Cinderella, the following discussion takes place between them:

“- If you come with me, he said, you’ll never have to work again.”

“- I never had to work in the first place, she said, looking at her dusty hands and wiping them on her backside, if I didn’t want to. You know that.
So throw out the damsel rescuing routine, OK? It’s out of date and it stinks.

He was crestfallen. More than that – he looked genuinely stung.

“- Look, she said. Getting sent here was an incredible opportunity. I’ve always hated being royalty. Not allowed to help the poor and starving,  or even talk to them. Because it wasn’t the done thing.
When my stepmother put me in this job, I saw a lifeline – an extremely useful life experience that a normal princess never normally gets. I welcomed it.”

“- Great, said prince Charming, rallying. But I’d say after all this time you’ve got that experience, right? And you can take your rightful place as a princess – and a future queen – better prepared to rule than any of her predecessors.”

“- Hey, I’m sorry, said Cinderalla. She even patted him on the knee.
I know no one has ever said this to you before.
I am not interested.
I’m eighteen, she said. Who gets married at eighteen?
I’m studying towards a law degree, so I can help people in the slums who have no rights. After studying, I’m going travelling. To have some real experiences. And fend for myself, like real people do.
After travelling, I’m going to have a career. Find a place in my chosen industry.
And, let’s face it, probably shag around a bit.
Then maybe settle into a solid relationship, if I meet someone.”

Inspired by Cinderella’s speech, Prince Charming decides:
“- From now on, I want to live a real life, giving back to people instead of leeching off them! 
I’ll revoke my royal status and become a doctor. I’ll work in the world’s most dangerous war zones! Bringing relief to the oppressed!”

In the end:

“And so Prince Charming gave up his titles and lands, and devoted his life to good causes.
Cinders and he became friends and colleagues, and soon afterwards fellow students. On a couple of occasions they got drunk and emotional, and lay fully clothed next to each other pretending to be asleep.
Then, gradually, as time passed and their lives became busier, they lost touch and forgot about each other. Then they died.
That’s life, innit.”

Editura: Penguin Books (2019)