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 151: “Today was their last day,” Elizabeth said.
“Today was their last day,” Elizabeth said. “I know that with the rumors you might be worried, but it was proven that you were not involved in anything and that any mention of your involvement was an attempt to shift blame and responsibility.”
“Proven?” Sophie asked.
“After last week’s run in with Kristen you stopped going to lunch, however your typical routine has you going to the food trucks on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There were complaints made that you were starting rumors and stirring up trouble when it was confirmed by multiple witnesses that you didn’t leave your office during the day,” Elizabeth said.
“So that’s why people kept watching me all week?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth said. “I am sorry for any observation you might have felt but since they were more or less terminating an entire department it was thought best that conclusive evidence with multiple witnesses confirm that you were not involved. It isn’t that we didn’t trust you of course.”
“Right,” Sophie said. It certainly felt as though they didn’t trust her. Elizabeth smiled at her reaction taking her comment as acceptance.
“And now this whole mess is over. While the policies are in place to protect everyone sometimes it makes actually firing someone a bit more of a process. But the termination notices have been given and that should be the end of it. I hope you have a lovely weekend.”
“Thanks,” Sophie said. “And thanks for letting me know how things sorted out.”
Elizabeth smiled and turned away. She opened the office door and let herself out. Sophie looked at the clock and realized it was pretty much time to go. While she didn’t need to have witnesses any more, the others were likewise getting ready to leave and Sophie had no desire to stay in the office any longer. Even though she was told that she was believed the thought that she needed witnesses to verify her actions didn’t sit well with her.
‘I can’t really change that,’ she thought as she shut down and locked everything away for the weekend.
She gathered her things and left with the others. “I suppose that is the end of it,” Linda said. “We got all of the files earlier but couldn’t say anything.”
“No problem,” Sophie said. “I’m just glad it is done with.” They walked out and as Linda parked next to Sophie they walked towards their cars together. Linda’s car was nearly identical to Sophie’s. The were both late model sedans and while Sophies was a dark blue, Linda’s was a dark green. As they approached the cars Linda gasped.
“Oh no,” she said. “Look.” They looked at the cars and saw that a screwdriver had been jammed into the back tire of Linda’s car. “Who would do such a thing?” she asked.
It was obvious to everyone that this was not an accident. “I hate to say it, but do you think Kristen mistook your car for mine?” Sophie asked. Linda looked from vehicle to vehicle. The similarities were clear.
“Maybe,” she said.
“Better call it in to security,” Sophie said. “I think I ought to call my supervisor as well.”
“Might not be a bad idea. Just don’t touch the screwdriver.”
Sophie pulled out her cell phone and navigated to Elizabeth’s phone number.
Ten til Midnight 