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Prompt: 012. screw
1. He leaned in close when they shook on the deal. “Don’t screw me over on this.”
A. He leaned in close when they shook on the deal. “Don’t screw me over on this.”
“I won’t,” she said, resisting the urge to glare back at him. There was no reason to up the aggression level, not when she’d already won.
By the time his lawyers untangled all the traps hidden in the contract he’d just signed, there’d be nothing anyone could do to stop it. And if he decided to contest anything, he’d spend years tied up in the courts while she continued to bilk his company for all it was worth.
“Mom asked about you the other day,” she said. “I know you’re not married anymore, but for some reason she still cares about you.”
“She should get over it. We’ve been divorced for five years. She should move on with her life and leave me alone.”
“Yeah, Dad. She should.”
2. There’s a moment when every person reevaluates the course of their life. Marissa Onion had her moment screwing in a light bulb while standing on a chair that had somehow lost a screw.
A. There’s a moment when every person reevaluates the course of their life. Marissa Onion had her moment changing a light bulb while standing on a chair that had somehow lost a screw. The resultant trip to the hospital and sudden vacancy in her position heralded the arrival of the first of many temporary workers in Handelman’s department.
The temps never lasted long, but Handelman’s work was of such importance to the company that there was a virtual never-ending supply of workers rotating through. It became a test of the employees–if a new hire could handle working in Handelman’s Madhouse for six months they could transfer to another position in the company; if they couldn’t handle Handleman, they were kindly sent on their way. Not that they were ever told that when they were hired. They were simply given their assignment.
Which was why Wendy Lau stepped off the elevator on the 13th floor with hope in her heart. This would be her first job after college and she desperately wanted to have a career with the company.
This was her chance.
3. Using a dusty old bartender book, they taught themselves how to make martinis and screwdrivers and whatever had the nicest pictures.
A. Using a dusty old bartender book, they taught themselves how to make martinis and screwdrivers and whatever had the nicest pictures. It was something to pass the time, and it wasn’t like anyone was going to be coming back for all the liquor they’d pilfered from the hotel bar down the street.
Everyone was dead or gone, which was about the same thing, They were the only people they’d come across in this part of the city. And they were happy to keep it that way–the virus drove people crazy! It put nasty thoughts in their heads and they did nasty horrible things. And neither of them had ever dreamed of being crazy.
“What should we do?” A gravelly whispered, answered by a lilting purr of a voice, “Whatever we want to do.”
The laugh started deep in their bellies but seemed to go on forever, ringing in the stillness of a city gone dead.
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