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 91: Sophie sighed and wondered which of her co-workers decided to tell everyone that picking up their slack was part of her job.
Sophie sighed and wondered which of her co-workers decided to tell everyone that picking up their slack was part of her job. It was annoying but at least it explained why everyone felt free to leave files for her. ‘They think it is part of my job.’
Sophie shook her head and as she set to work debated whether or not that was an addition from Evers or if Kristen thought it up on her own. ‘Doesn’t matter.’
The work was new to her. Some of it related to the databases she just finished setting up, but everything was slightly different from what she was used to. That morning she flew through her usual work so that she could slow down in the afternoon to concentrate on the new things. Because she needed to focus, Sophie played music instead of a podcast and tuned out the rest of the office.
At the end of the day, Sophie logged out, put away her files and gathered her things. She thought about waiting for the others to take the elevator down but decided she didn’t really want to. ‘And I shouldn’t have to,’ she thought.
Sophie set the strap of her bag on her shoulder, did a quick sweep to make sure everything was turned off and locked down and then left the office. She left with everyone else and joined them in the elevator. To her surprise, everyone seemed to be in a good mood.
“I am so glad they shifted the Ferris Account out of our department,” Ryan said. “I thought for sure I’d have to stay late if I had to deal with those files.”
“I wish they would take some of my accounts,’ Kristen said. “I might actually have to stay late tomorrow. Or work over lunch.” She sighed heavily. “What kind of loser works through lunch?”
Sophie kept her thoughts to herself.
“I’m sure it won’t come to that,” Evers said. “In fact I think this new shake up could be a good thing. We should have several more accounts transferred out in the coming weeks.” Sophie frowned slightly but said nothing.
“Does that mean layoffs are coming?” Carrie asked.
“No,” Evers told her with a laugh. “We are going t be working with some of the newer accounts, that is why Sophia has be tasked with setting up the new databases we will be working with.” The elevator reached the main floor and they all exited. To her surprise as the others moved forward, Carrie hung back. Sophie looked at her as Carrie looked as though she wanted to say something. She waited until the others were out of hearing range, even altering her course to walk more towards the side of the parking lot where Sophie was parked.
“They aren’t transferring new accounts in are they?” Carrie asked. Her voice was pitched low.
“I don’t know anything for certain but I doubt it,” Sophie replied.
“Are they transferring your files?” Carrie asked.
Ten til Midnight 