The Fifteen Minute Novel is an attempt to take a single prompt and use the last sentence written each day as a start for the next day. This year I had several prompts circling around a similar story, so I have combined them. However, the story starts the same way each day, with the last line from the day before and a timer set for fifteen minutes. The hope is to end up with a complete, if very rough draft by the end of the year. Some stories are better than others, but I always learn a whole lot about my own writing when I do this so for me it is not only a nice way to work out a story, but it is a tool for helping my writing get better. And so, we continue this story for 2024 with…
Day 89: “It is,” Sophie admitted. “But if you could not spread it around. I’d kind of like a calm and steady work environment.”
“It is,” Sophie admitted. “But if you could not spread it around. I’d kind of like a calm and steady work environment.”
“No problem,” Petra said. “But just so you know, it is already on the gossip grapevine. Apparently they did a double evaluation of you to test out Don’s supervisory skills. Mostly because when they looked ove the reviews they saw that your reviews before him were all really good and while your work stayed the same or got better, your reviews lowered. At the same time, several of the people the higher ups put on review got glowing evaluations from him. It didn’t look right. My supervisor had to pull all of the reviews for your entire department. They have been going through the lot of them.”
“Have they really?” Sophie asked. They reached the window and they each ordered and paid for their lunches and stepped aside to wait for their names to be called.
“They have and I think they found something. We generally only get a few people from the upper floors in HR occasionally. In the past few weeks there have been many meetings. Closed door meetings.” She lifted her eyebrows and nodded.
Their names were called and they picked up their lunches and began the walk back to the office. As the skies were filled with clouds that looked like they were just waiting to empty out a ton of rain on people, they weren’t the only ones choosing not to stay on the provided benches. Looking around, Sophie saw Kevin, he waved and she waved back before they each took separate paths back to their offices.
“Cute,” Petra said.
“Lives in my building,” Sophie replied. “So, you think something is up with the meetings?”
“Something is definitely up. I just don’t know what. Personally, I am hoping that they at least send Kristen packing.”
They made it back to the building. “Do you go to lunch often?” Petra asked.
“About twice a week,” Sophie said. “Its quicker and cheaper just to bring lunch the other days.”
“Cool,” Petra said. “Usually, I bring lunch because of the time it takes to go out, but this was quick. Next time you go, let me know and maybe we can go together. I hate going out alone. And this way I can share gossip.”
“Sure,” Sophie said. She wasn’t entirely sure she wanted the gossip, but as with the occasional eavesdropping, she didn’t mind listening in on occasion.
‘Besides it is nice to have someone to walk with,’ she thought. Petra headed back to HR and Sophie headed up to her desk.
“So I see you made a new friend,” Kristen said.
Sophie shrugged. “I was going, and she was hungry,” She replied.
“Uh, huh,” Kristen said. “I wonder what the two of you could possibly have to talk about.”
“Sandwiches,” Sophie said.
Ten til Midnight 