Tag: flash fiction

Manipulator

“‘Mazing!” the boss appreciated. “This is such a great piece, Stan. I might give you a raise right away.”

Stan looked up. He hadn’t had a raise in two years because of ‘unfavourable economic conditions’. “Now?” His heart swelled, but the boss just smiled, and lifting his belly, waddled out the room.

Stan’s interns sat next to him. “It’s going to be okay,” assured Mark, a rich kid whose parents had “purchased” his internship.

“Well,” The boss had returned. “Wrap up that maze of an agreement. It’s brilliant—so binding that people wouldn’t know what hit them. Jackpot!” He exclaimed.

The mask

Jason was, again, the star in the meeting. He made juniors feel at home and seniors reel at numbers.

It wasn’t new. Jason was the energy machine in every gathering. He’d bust awkward situations, introducing people to fun and laughter.

No one’s seen him angry or sullen. He was the funniest guy at work, the loveable friend in college, and the most helpful neighbour.

Every morning, however, before masking himself, Jason would stare at the dark liquid in his mug. As he’d drown the bitter shot, he’d also drown the bitterness of his phony life. Then get ready for work.

Life goals

Susan stumbled out of the bar. Her knees buckled, and the stilettos scorched her feet from within.

It was her friend’s dinner party. There was dancing, drinking, doping, groping, and even some smooching. ‘So worthwhile,’ she thought, squinting for her Uber while rubbing her eyes.

A guard approached. As in every movie she’d watched with friends, he was same: tall, dark, and handsome with bald patches and bold muscles. She recognised him—having often past him in the corridors while rushing for her waitressing shift.

“This isn’t your lifestyle. Why—?”

“I’grew up poor, I don’ wanna be poor grown up.”

Knowledge

Daniel had spent days picking at circuits and nights poring over assignments. And now with a job in hand, he swelled with pride.

His engineer dad had taught him how vital an electronics degree was. He couldn’t rely on his childhood hobby of deconstructing circuits; he needed a certified document to make a good career. That way, he could make back the cash he shelled out as fees.

The first day, wanting to impress his boss, Daniel walked in crisp and clean. But he was the one impressed—welcoming him wasn’t a fancy degree holder, but his father’s old apprentice.

Part of the deal

David drudged inside. A long day had grown longer with the traffic jam.

“Honey, I’m home!” He yearned to call out, embracing his love. He was knackered, however, to even open his throat, let alone arms. He walked into the bedroom, wondering if she had slept already.

She wasn’t there. Only his laptop lay on the bed cold and uninviting. It was their date night, and a frown would’ve appeared on her face when he hadn’t.

“I’m sorry, Hon.” He sent a text.

She understood his work, but not why he lived five timezones away for a job he didn’t enjoy.