---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “The Unbridgeable Canyon” Down in the Dirt v218 (4/24) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology The Limits of Imagination the Down in the Dirt January - April 2024 issues collection book		get the 422 page January - April 2024 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

Office Daze

Brandon Myer

    The elevator stopped moving. Broken down between the sixth and seventh floor. Vincent and Veronica were furious. The two despised each other even though they worked in the same office space.
    Vincent was a womanizer. He desperately wanted Veronica. She had stunning naturally good looks with long bronze hair partially draped over her shoulders, captivating blue eyes, a beauty mark under her left eye and a curvaceous hourglass figure. But he disliked her snarky attitude and constant teasing. Veronica vehemently hated his inflated ego and cocky remarks. But he was also the most handsome man she had ever met. He was tall with slicked-back midnight black hair, dark brown eyes and a toned body courtesy of all his daily morning jogging routine and weekend biking. These two constantly clashed in the workspace over how to effectively do their jobs as programmers for a software company. They avoided each other like the plague during their breaks. Now the two found themselves trapped inside this elevator unsure of when it would get fixed.
    “Fantastic. Just fucking fantastic. Of course, it had to be today.” Vincent muttered.
    “Worst. Day. Ever.” Veronica said in a hushed but infuriated tone.
    “You’re telling me. I’m stuck with you.”
    “Your pompous attitude only makes this situation even more unbearable.”
    The two leaned against the walls of the elevator on opposite sides. Refusing to acknowledge one another they both decided to stare at the polished dark oak flooring. Or the black leather walls. Or the pasty white ceiling lit by rows of lights. Anything but each other. Neither of them had their cell phones on them. They were on their way to see the boss on the eighth floor for a meeting so they had left their phones in their desks. The deafening silence was starting to drive them mad. The elevator sound system stopped working yesterday so not even faint soft jazz could fill the void of silence.
    “Can’t believe this. What’s the boss going to think? He’s going to be pissed.” Vincent sighed wiping the sweat off his brow.
    “This isn’t our fault you idiot. He’ll understand then yell at the maintenance man for failing to detect any faults in the machinery causing this mess.” Veronica rebutted.
    Vincent raised an eyebrow. She had a point and he was promptly shut down. She knew how to find flaws in his reasoning on multiple occasions.
    “I... I knew that. I was simply testing you.” Vincent stated.
    “As if. Once again you don’t think before you speak.” Veronica snickered, waving her palm while holding a single finger up.
    “Oh please, shut the hell up.”
    Minutes passed on. Nearly an hour of painful silence and occasional jabs went by. They were wondering just what was going on. The elevator was still stuck and they had no way to contact anyone in the building such as their boss or the receptionist. Agony was what they felt. If it wasn’t for their cushy jobs, great pay, excellent benefits and trained skills in the field then either one of them would find a new position elsewhere. Why they’re still in the same division together is a mystery to all their co-workers.
    “You know if you weren’t such a stuck-up prissy bitch, I’d consider asking you to dinner.” Vincent said.
    “Like I’d even accept. I don’t care how handsome you might be, it can’t mask that massive ego of yours that drives me nuts.” Veronica replied, crossing her arms.
    “I’ll have you know I’ve slept with countless women. Meanwhile you’ve been single and alone for almost two years. No guy wants to deal with your sass regardless of your beauty or nice body.”
    A smug grin crossed his face. Any chance to put her down he would take. To balance out her constant arguments against his logic.
    “I’d rather be single then a whore like yourself.” Veronica hissed.
    “Screw you.” Vincent snapped.
    “Go jump out a window.”
    “You first.”
    “I’ll fucking push you out!”
    “And I’ll drag your ass with me!”
    “Good! I’d rather die then have to continue to spend my weekdays working around you!”
    “I’ll die knowing I’ve lived a more exciting social life with babes and partying then you slumping around at home drinking wine by yourself!”
    “I wish we never met.”
    “I wish the same damn thing.”
    “Asshole.”
    “Bitch.”
    As if their silent prayers had been answered, the elevator started moving. Both of their eyes widened and their legs buckled having been standing solely in one place the entire time. The elevator reached the top floor. A chime went off as the doors opened up. Breathing sighs of relief the stressed man and woman left the elevator. Ahead of them was the office of their boss.
    “Finally... Freedom.” Veronica sighed with relief.
    “About time. Maintenance is going to get an earful from me.” Vincent stated, carefully adjusting his tie.
    “Most definitely. I don’t ever want to experience a hell like that ever again.”
    “You and me both...”
    Vincent and Veronica initially just stared down the long hallway adorned with paintings and potted plants. But then they exchanged glances for but a moment. Sweat beading their foreheads having been stuck inside the brightly-lit, condensed elevator for all that time. Their eyes locked onto one another’s.
    “You know... Had I been stuck with anyone else in our unit it would’ve been nothing but awkward silence or another lame conversation about number crunching or something.” Vincent noted.
    Veronica snickered. He was right on that remark. They weren’t particularly fond of their co-workers either.
    “This is true. Your company may have been aggravating but at least you’re not a square. I enjoy putting you in your place.” Veronica replied.
    “Sounded almost like a compliment. I’ll take it.”
    Veronica shrugged. The two started to venture down the hallway.
    “So... Pick you up at nine-thirty?” Vincent asked.
    “Nine-forty-five. Let me freshen up real nicely first. You get one chance with me so don’t fuck it up.” Veronica replied.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...