Sensitivity Training

Not another sensitivity seminar! The professor already kept his door open when he was with a female student. What more did they want? And who else had been sent this message from the dean? Nobody had been cc’d, so the professor forwarded the message to the entire department, the colleagues scratching their heads when they got it. Why had the professor sent them the dean’s message about sensitivity training? Each colleague checked the skeletons in his closet before flinging their doors open to the punishment of pizza stacked up against the professor’s office. One good prank deserves another, they agreed. From Guest Contributor Cheryl Snell

Cheryl's recent fiction has appeared in Gone Lawn, Necessary Fiction, Pure Slush, and elsewhere.

Sick World

It’s like a post-apocalyptic movie. A usually bustling city is eerily vacant. Essential supplies have come to include liquor, guns, and toilet paper. Who isn’t secretly embarrassed? Around midnight I take a puzzle apart just for the hell of it. The next morning my department holds a Zoom session on how to prevent cheating in online classes. Other professors mention they also have been having strange dreams. In mine, I’m eating Crown Fried Chicken on a bench while eyeballs the size of boulders roll across the grass and dirt, and a woman I recognize from TV weeps into her hands.

From Guest Contributor Howie Good

Howie Good is the author of What It Is and How to Use It (2019) from Grey Book Press, among other poetry collections.

The Search For Meaning

The purpose of the meeting wasn't revealed beforehand.

Timothy walked into the boardroom carrying notebook and coffee, ready for anything. He dutifully took notes as the minutes were recited, then listened as each department head read their reports covering the previous 24 hours.

An argument broke out over the order of the reports. The company would not refer to it as an argument, but rather a protocol discussion. The minutes wouldn't make note of the raised voices on both sides.

Eventually, the meeting broke up. Everyone returned to their cubicles.

Timothy still had no idea why the meeting was convened.

Career

A holiday in Hawaii proved to be a great way to celebrate my ten years’ service with the company. In my absence, a new department head was appointed. The morning of my return, the boss walked in and introduced himself.

“Xavier Truex, your new department head. If you would like to resign now, I will give you a glowing reference. Sooner is better than later.”

“Why would I resign? I mean, I’ve just celebrated ten years' highly rated service with the company.”

“My girlfriend is looking to change jobs. She has experience in this area.”

I feel the screws tightening.

From Guest Contributor Barry O'Farrell

Barry is an actor living in Brisbane, Australia. Barry's stories also appear in Cyclamens & Swords, 50 Word Stories and of course here at A Story In 100 Words.

Psychopath

The girls in accounts are crying.

They returned from lunch to find the end of month statements shredded and scattered across their department like confetti.

Divisional manager Mr. Yale was vetting the statements, when he thought he saw a mistake. He took punitive action instantly.

The following week, statements reprinted, the girls sit with Mr. Yale to check any error he may find.

There is no sign of a mistake.

Apart from the statements going out late, it is a most enjoyable month for Mr. Yale.

Satisfied with his bonus, he savors the delicious memory of making the girls cry.

From Guest Contributor Barry O’Farrell

Barry is an actor living in Brisbane, Australia. The acting experience has inspired a latent desire to write. Barry is enjoying the challenge of writing in 100 words.