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 82: ‘It’s a temporary thing,’ he reminded himself.
‘It’s a temporary thing,’ he reminded himself. James had no plans to work as the company accountant for the rest of his life. It was a place to hide while the rest of the world sorted itself out. He was settling in as part of his cover story. The fact that the work was easy and pleasant was just a bonus.
As James returned to the files he realized that whatever he did, he wanted something that challenged him. Untangling the snarled mess of the files was a challenge and as he worked he had to smile slightly at himself in mock amusement. How often had Mark handed him something he bungled? More often than James could count. Usually the bugled mess acme with the recriminations about James enjoying himself.
While Mark meant that James enjoyed lording his superior skills over Mark and Eric, the truth was he enjoyed the challenge of the mess. ‘Even while being exasperated by Mark and Eric.’
He again shook thoughts of family away as he dove into the files. The list of what was considered in need of repair was simple and straightforward compared to the twisted and tangled knot. James set the list to the side and glanced at it in reference as he continued to work.
A familiar scent brought him out of his file dominated world. Hot tomato sauce, melty cheese and the spicy meaty aroma that could only mean one thing.
“Pepperoni?” James said, looking up. Morris was standing in the doorway holding a pizza box.
“I figured you needed a break and it was lunch time. Besides, I wanted to check in to see your progress.”
James leaned back and rubbed his eyes. Morris walked the pizza to the other end of the long conference table so that it was far from the papers. He took the paper plates from the top of the box, setting them on the polished wood of the table. He then flung the box open. The scent grew stronger and James heard his belly rumble.
Morris smiled. “Break time?”
“Yeah,” James agreed. He stood up from his chair and walked towards the far and of the table. his right knee popped as did his spine. He stretched his shoulders and felt the ache of being in one position too long.
“I hope pepperoni is okay,” Morris said as he lifted a piece and set it on the plate. He handed the plate to James. “There was nothing in your file to indicate vegetarian and I figured this was general enough that it would pass as acceptable.”
“More than acceptable,” James said. ‘As long as you don’t mind me eating standing up.”
“Not a problem for me,” Morris replied as he lifted his on slice onto his plate. “Too long in one position?”
“Yeah,” James said. He took his first bite of pizza and felt the rumblings in his belly subside.
“You looked like you were really getting into it. Is that a good sign or a bad one?”
“A bit of both,” James confessed. He took another bit of pizza and chewed thoughtfully as he thought through his explanation.
Ten til Midnight 