We had two installment entries for the first episode of "The Office." I am choosing Tracey W.'s entry, not because Mary Z's wasn't terrific, but because Tracey left us with quite a cliffhanger, and I think there are complexities here that could lead the story in many directions. That's one of the things I look for, especially in the first few episodes. See what you think, and do write. The next installment will be due on May 3rd--so you have almost two weeks. Should I shorten the deadlines back to one week, or leave it at two? Which will help people get an entry in?
Anita Hunt
SerialFiction - The Office - Installment One--Tracey W.
Celia flowed through the office toward her very handsome co-worker in her very clingy designer dress, turned on her very best sashay - and heard the unmistakable sound of ripping fabric. John was there before she could take another step, wrapping his jacket around her. Sweet, dependable, John.
"Oh, John, thank you." Celia was totally chagrined and completely deflated; her tone making both evident. By now, everyone was beginning to stare.
"Not at all, Celia. Always glad to help a beautiful damsel in distress." John was such a nerd, but a sweet nerd.
Celia sighed. Eric hadn't even noticed her approach and the ensuing fuss was little more than a passing curiosity to him. He was already back on the phone. Eric was next in line to head up the acquisitions division at Stone & Stone. He definitely had a silver tongue. Celia would listen to him from her cubicle and dream of having all that talent and attention trained on her alone. She'd finally gotten up the courage to ask him to a party that some of her non-office friends were having.
Celia sighed again as she entered the ladies' room digging in her purse for a safety pin or one of those little pocket sewing kits she was always collecting.
*****
"I said I would handle it and I will!"
"You just see that you do, John. We can't afford any mistakes on this one."
"No sir. I understand. John hung up the phone in disgust. I will handle it.
*****
"Celia? Is everything alright? Damn, Marge is the worst gossip in the office!
"Sure, Marge, thanks, I've got it. " Of course it was hard to sound very confident while experiencing a crawling sensation where the rip in the fabric was continuing up and over her derrière.
"I can look at that if you want?" Marge volunteered.
"No, really, it's fine, I've got it." No way is 'Marge in Charge' getting one peek!
"Fine then, I'll just tell the others you'll be out in a few minutes."
"Oh, thank you so much, Marge." She had suspected before, but now Celia was sure that everyone in the office knew what had just happened. She was never taking John's jacket off! If I hurry, I can just make it home, change and get back before Mr. Stone gets back from his lunch meeting.
Celia blasted out of the bathroom forgetting that Sandra had a bad habit of rolling her chair out from her cubicle while on the phone. Today was no exception. Celia's shoe caught on one of the casters of Sandra's chair and she was suddenly airborne.
"Celia!" Sandra cried in alarm.
Landing hard, Celia didn't even notice who was standing next to her or the fact that John's jacket had flopped open, exposing...
©TSW 2008
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Comments: 5
My youthful speciality was when I accidentally tucked my skirt into my underwear in the back.:) As I walked out of the ladies' room, derriere exposed in my transparent pantyhose, my kind boss walked up behind me and yanked it down. He had four daughters and pretended like nothing had happened as he walked away. Ugh.
Mary, I'm looking forward to what you will come up with next.
Elizabeth, I certainly hope you intend to add your voice to this story.