The Wagon

Caroline stared up at the clouds on the horizon. Or they might have been mountains. Or cacti. She couldn't say anymore. In the deserts of Utah, everything looked the same. Just like everything had looked the same in the plains of Wyoming, and everything had looked the same in the mountains of Colorado. Traveling by wagon had to be the slowest way to get anywhere.

Caroline wasn't actually doing any of the work, and whether that increased her tedium or just allowed her idle nature to dream up mischief, she found their pace was becoming unbearable.

"Pull it faster, Daddy!"

The Daily Theme from Figment April 2, 2012

You are in transit, heading somewhere you're either thrilled or dreading to go. Don't explicitly say how you feel about it, but through your description of the destination and the journey, make it clear.

The Tough Minutes

Gary watched the seconds tick away with an increasing sense of horror. He could not remember experiencing such excruciating tedium. He tried to distract himself with thoughts of more pleasant forms of torture, like being strapped to a gurney and having his eyelashes plucked out or listening to Yanni while getting a root canal.

The other people in line didn't seem to mind. They were the world's sheep, willing to waste away their lives at the mercy of others. Not Gary.

Finally his turn arrived.

"Sir, as we told you on the phone, the cable repairman will arrive this Thursday."

The Daily Theme from Figment for March 20, 2012

In "The Busboy" episode of Seinfeld, George refers to moments like letting the car warm-up or waiting for your hair conditioner to work as "tough minutes." Narrate a character's thoughts in one of these "tough minutes." What does he or she think about during those interminable seconds?