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 108: She wondered if he too would ask if she knew about interoffice relations and gossip.
She wondered if he too would ask if she knew about interoffice relations and gossip. “At the moment,” Sean said. “You are the only one working in a new department.”
Sophie nodded.
“We haven’t figured out how many people we will need to add for the department and it may be a while before we need to add anyone. That has yet to be determined. In fact I believe that is something you are helping Elizabeth determine.”
“I believe so,” Sophie said. He fears abut being asked about the personal lives of others faded back.
“There has been some confusion as to who is over that department. We have no office spaces here so you can not be moved to an office closer to Elizabeth. However it does need to be clear that your department is not something Don Evers is responsible for overseeing. There is an available office space adjacent to accounting. It is technically between HR and accounting. Neither side needed the space so it is empty. It has a degree of separation because neither account claims it but the office is not off somewhere on its own. You would not be surrounded by empty cubicles as we wait to decide if we need more hires for the department. I would like to move you to this office.”
“Move my office,” Sophie repeated.
“Yes,” Sean said. “If we do expand and need more space we can figure out where to put you and the others hired at that time, but I feel this will be a good fit. It would separate you from your former department.”
“And Kristen,” Elizabeth added.
“That too,” Sean replied. “She seems to have taken a dislike to you, which may be partially due to your work not requiring disciplinary action while hers has.” He looked at Sophie. “Do you have a problem relocating?”
“None that I can think of,” Sophie replied.
“Excellent,” Sean said. “Then if you could head back to your space and start the packing up process, I will have someone drop by a box and notify IT that your system needs to be moved. Hopefully this should sort out all of our issues.”
“Right,” Sophie said. It was clear the meeting was over and she stood. Sophie moved to the door as Sean reached for the phone to get the IT department to begin her move.
Sophie left Sean’s office and headed towards the elevator. She stepped inside and pressed the button to go down to her floor. As he elevator got into motion, Sophie wondered what would happen to Kristen. Sophie was being moved to get out of Kristen’s area but would she be punished?
Ten til Midnight 