Something didn’t sit right, about the interim leader. Few know how to wield absolute power, even fewer know when to give it up. There was an odd inflection, when they said the words “unity,” or “greatness,” almost as if there were a hidden meaning behind them. Greatness for whom…
(more…)Tag: horror stories
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A Minimalist, #3
Saturday morning, the long awaited weekend is finally here! My friend, Sergio, agrees to come with me to the sale. He picks me up at my place, blasting his music as I come out to meet him.
Serg doesn’t share my enthusiasm for bargain hunting, but he’s a good friend and is always down to join me for an adventure. I don’t think I deserve a friend like him. He’s seen me through some difficult times, and he’s here with me now.
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“Where is this place,” he asks as I get in the car.
“Vienna. Not far,” and we’re off, speakers rattling all the way.
We get there quick. Whenever Serg is behind the wheel, physics don’t apply, and we turn a 45-minute trip into half an hour. We’re so fast that we’re the first to arrive. We might actually be early, for once. No other cars are present, and we park in an enviable spot.
“Where’d you find this place,” he asks me.
“Online. Saw an ad on Fartbook and figured it’d be worth checking out.”
“Online, huh…”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Nothing, man. Probably shouldn’t bring it up right now… You doing ok?”
“I’m fine.”
“It’s just that I haven’t heard from you in a while, and…”
“I’m fine. Really. Everything’s just okie-dokie. Couldn’t be better.”
“Okie-dokie, huh…”
“Look, if you’re worried about something we can talk about it later. Let’s get in there and look around—find all the good stuff before it gets taken.”
Sergio glances at the empty driveway. “I don’t think we have to worry about that, man.” -
A Minimalist, #2
The following days flash by in a manic frenzy. There’s a pep in my step, and my coworkers notice. At work, I normally keep to myself and have an earbud in—listening to podcasts to pass the time.
I’m not unique, in this regard. Everyone at the office has their own way of distracting themselves from the day-to-day monotony. Some like to chit-chat by the water cooler. Others, who have been here longer, find creative ways to extend their 30-minute lunch break into several hours. Another guy, slightly below management, takes naps right at his desk; not even trying to hide it, his snores mocking the rest of us.
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The Ragged Journal 