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 176: “I was a few minutes later getting downstairs so I missed the excitement,” Sophie said. “And my car was in the west lot this morning so they let me go.”
“I was a few minutes later getting downstairs so I missed the excitement,” Sophie said. “And my car was in the west lot this morning so they let me go.”
“I see,” Sean said. “That does clear things up. Do you usually park in the east lot?”
“I do but I was running a few minutes late this morning and there were no spots so I shifted to the west lot.”
“Ah,” Sean said. “Well I am glad you are safe and I wanted to let you know that it was Kristen who attacked the parking lot. She is in custody. Apparently Linda knocked her out with her thermos.”
“Her thermos?”
“Yes it is a metal one. It apparently was her father’s, She was upset that it was dented. But as she was already pretty mad at Kristen for the tire incident, the dent was just the cherry on top I suppose.”
“I…see,” Sophie said hesitantly.
“Right,” Seann said. “Well I am glad you are safe and now that Kristen has been dealt with I do not believe there will be any further incidents. I hope this doesn’t affect your decision on the potential job issue.”
“I haven’t really made up my mind,” Sophie said.
”Of course,” Sean replied. “On Monday would you mind coming up to my office as soon ass you arrive. There is no need to come in early, but I would like to have a meeting to at least clear away the aftermath of this…this,” he finished as though unsure what to call it.
“Okay,” Sophie said.
“No need to come in early, just your usual time,” Sean said. Sophie could hear people in the back ground. “I need to get back to it. I am glad you are safe and have a nice weekend.”
Before Sophie could respond he hung up. Sophie turned the screen off on her phone and put it back in her purse. Jasmine pulled into the restaurant parking lot.
“So do I get the run down or is it confidential?”
“No one said I couldn’t say anything,” Sophie replied as she turned the engine off. “Apparently Kristen tied to set fire to the parking lot and Linda threw her father’s metal thermos at her.”
“Way to go Human Resources,” Janine said with a half shocked sounding laugh. They left the car and walked into the restaurant. As they were early there was no trouble getting a table and they were soon settled towards the back.
“Sean waned to see if I was safe and to tell me Kristen was arrested and that he needs to see me for a meeting first thing Monday.”
“Did he say why?” Janine asked.
“He said it was to go over what happened but he also mentioned not letting this affect my opinion of the job situation.”
“So he doesn’t want you to run for anther company and told you that the evil one has been thwarted?” Janine said.
“More or less.”
“I suppose there is worse news on a Friday,” Janine said.
For a ttime there was quiet as they both looked over the menus and made their selection. When the waiter took their order they started to break down the pros and cons of each job.
Ten til Midnight 