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 130: “They just need the television set up first.”
“They just need the television set up first.”
“Right,” James replied. “Thanks for setting that up.”
Tucker nodded and they went back to collecting the various pieces needed to assemble the television. After two weeks with limited reading material and only what shows he could watch on his phone, James was actually relieved to see the television in his living room as well as the boxes of books scattered throughout the house.
Spare time was not something he had a lot of. He heard others discuss binging television shows but he had a hard time finding the time to make it through a single episode. He pretended to watch a lot of them as the topic often featured in conversation, but it had been years since he was actually hooked on a show.
‘Well before you could watch them at your convenience,’ he thought.
Books were nearly as bad. He would pick up a book, meaning to read it in the quiet lull after dinner or just before bed. He would then find his dinners absorbed by clients and work emergencies soaking up his post dinner reading time and then when he tried reading in bed he would doze off, losing his place and often crumpling pages. It didn’t matter how exciting or well written the book actually was.
‘Maybe I’ll have time to finish all the books I started,’ He thought. James handed the last of the cords to Tucker. Or at least what he thought were the last cords. Tucker managed to unearth the television, DVD player and some sort of games console James thought looked vaguely familiar but couldn’t really name.
James suspected that for the next stretch of time he would be moving from the office to this house with few outings other than to restock the fridge. He suspected Tucker would prefer he was more of a homebody until this matter was resolved. While this expectation made him want to come up with a slate of activities in town, James didn’t really want to make himself a target. Safe and quiet was fine for now. When the emergency faded he could go to the movies, museums, bike rides, car shows or even the ice-capades if he wanted.
As James watched Tucker sort through and attach cords with ease and dexterity, James wondered if there were still such things as ice-capades.
“There,” Tusker announced. He dusted off his hands and stood. “All connected and ready for the professionals.”
James nodded and stepped forward to help Tucker lift the Television onto its stand. Tucker then moved the machines attached to the television next to the screen and stepped back, seeming satisfied with his work.
“Thanks,” James said again.
“All part of the service,” Tucker replied. He packed away. “I left several take out menus for places that deliver in this area on your kitchen counter. There is also a basic packet of information you’ll need should anyone ask about the house. Is there anything else you need before I leave?”
“No,” James said. “Does the stack of take out menus mean that I shouldn’t leave the house for a while?”
“It would be best if you spent as little time out and about as possible,” Tucker confirmed.
“I am going to need groceries for lunch next week if nothing else. Otherwise I’ll have to leave the office every midday.”
Tucker nodded. “Call me Sunday afternoon. You have my number?”
Ten til Midnight 