The Fifteen Minute Novel is a novel written fifteen minutes at a time with each week day’s section starting with the sentence from the previous day. At least it is attempting to be a novel. For now I am just aiming at one continuous story, worked on for fifteen minutes each day. Started Friday January 1st, 2021 (in case you want to search for the beginning. I can’t wait to see where it ends up. It could be good, or it could be a mess. We’ll have to see. For now, here is today’s fifteen minutes.
Day 19: “A call came in this morning. There seems to be some concern about someone named Rupert,” Carson explained.
“A call came in this morning. There seems to be some concern about someone named Rupert,” Carson explained.
James looked at Carson. “Rupert.” He repeated. This time it wasn’t a question. He sighed and shook his head. A dark amusement flitted across his brain.
“Yes,” Carson continued. “We didn’t have anyone named Rupert in our files. But the statement was something about maintenance fees.”
“Well you wouldn’t.” James said. “Rupert was Faith’s very ill-tempered cat. She had him before we were married. He always hated me and showed it in innumerable ways and died while I still thought our marriage was a good one. Therefore when she insisted that he be buried in a very high end pet cemetery I consented. I hoped it meant that I would never have to hear about him again and the whole matter would be put to rest permanently.”
“A cat?” Carson said. “A dead cat?”
“Oh yes,” James replied. “A dead ill-tempered cat with a tombstone decorated with a carved angle and the statement ‘One of the world’s Angels taken too soon.’” James clarified. “I suggested a demon with the slogan ‘Finally exorcised back to his home territories’ but the idea didn’t stick.”
James recalled the bitter silence that reigned over their house for the following month over his small joke. He shook his head. “She was told in the divorce that Rupert’s grave was now part of her affairs and not mine. I’m guessing the maintenance applies to that. The fees are steep and due about this time each year. I paid them last time. Any remaining fees are her concern.”
“Right,” Carson said. He blinked rapidly as though processing the thought. As James had the same reaction when taken to the cemetery for the first time and shown the arrangements planned for Rupert, he could hardly blame his agent for needing a moment to process. James leaned back in his chair and took another sip of coffee. It seemed he was finally rid of Rupert for good. He never had to think about the cat and the fact that he had been asked to establish and maintain a monument to him that was more than many humans received at the end of their lives. There was a consolation in that.
“I suppose that is a bonus of witness protection,” James mused.
“Not having to pay for the maintenance on Rupert’s grave?” Carson asked.
“No, legally Faith is responsible for that now. Had I been in town though she would have called and continued calling until I gave in just to be rid of her. She can’t do that anymore.” James took another sip of coffee and realized Faith wasn’t the only one who used this tactic of wearing him down until he agreed. “None of them can actually.”
“Right,” Carson said. “I suppose that would be a benefit.” He nodded and something about his look suggested that he would still be processing for a while. “So,” Carson said, locking away his speculation. “Those are the two main bits of business. Shall we get you a few of the basics? Then we can discuss your career opportunities when we return.”
“By all means,” James said. “Let’s go shopping.”
Ten til Midnight 