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27.9.18

LATE FOR WORK - a tale of consequences, in one hundred words


LATE FOR WORK

Gerald pedalled furiously along the dark streets, shot through an amber light, and collided with a delivery van, breaking his wrist.
Gerald’s absence left Dennis, the night porter, to set the breakfast bar, and he neglected to turn on the coffee urn.
Deprived of her morning caffeine, the Foreign Secretary departed angrily for a Cabinet meeting, but her trailing scarf became trapped in the revolving door. Before Dennis could press the emergency button she was half-throttled.
As she was rushed into Emergency, Gerald watched the drama, totally unaware that his failure to get up on time had averted a war.
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It took me ages to come up with a story this week,but I've been busy helping with the local Arts Festival, so I hope you'll forgive any shortcomings.
Thanks to https://rochellewisoff.com/  Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers, and to Yvette Prior for the photograph of a lovely mosaic floored lobby.

35 comments:

  1. I think we need a few more Geralds around. Nice one, Liz.

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    Replies
    1. There are a few government ministers who should have been prevented from attending meetings!

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  2. Talk about an error going right!
    Enjoyed this take, Liz

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  3. Lovely circular tale. Thank you Gerald!

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  4. Ha ha - I wasn't expecting that ending! Well done.

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  5. what a good excuse to be late for work. :)

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  6. Fun and clever. I like to think there was a cosmic puppet-master at work here :-)

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  7. Lovely thought - and nobody died!

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  8. Poor Gerald broke his wrist. Poor defence secretary almost got throttled. Yet the war was averted. So whatever happens, happens for good only.

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    1. They both survived to live another day. If there had been a war....

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  9. Lots of threads woven into this little story. Most enjoyable, as always :)

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  10. Everything happens for a reason. Looks like the universe had a good plan. Very creative take on the prompt.

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    1. You're right about the universe - in the long run things seem to work out.

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  11. A wonderfully different take on the prompt. Isadora Duncan popped into my mind as I read about the scarf.

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  12. Dear Liz,

    Some days are like that. Good one.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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  13. This is like the butterfly effect... sometimes a small disaster is better than catastrophe

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  14. Neat, satisfying, clever story.

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