Opportunity (346 hits)
Category: Quotes & StoriesRating: 1.33 on 9 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Somebody_Else (View user info) at 2006-09-12 07:13:27 EDT
"Fuck!"
He hurried through the lobby towards the elevators. Taylor was going to fire him for sure if he was late again. Why the fuck do I have to show up a half hour earlier than everyone else, anyway? Am I going to get fired before the meeting? It wasn't fucking fair. I'll be early and late at the same time. Goddamn.
The elevator doors closed just before he could get a hand in. Fuckers. I could've squeezed in. He sighed and punched the button. Can't catch a break.
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Mark Feldman was worried. Taylor had been riding him a lot lately, and he couldn't afford to lose this job. The old bastard's got it in for me, he thought, as a delivery guy pulled his dolly up beside him.
"You don't take advantage," the old man said, "When you see an opportunity, you have to grab it by the balls!" Then he'd pantomime grabbing balls, which would've been funny coming from such a shriveled up old guy if he didn't have the authority to actually fire your ass. And your balls.
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The elevator opened, and Mark got in with the delivery guy. He took great pleasure in NOT holding the door for some schmuck he recognized from a firm a few floors below his. Fuck you, buddy, he thought, smiling. Hope the delivery guy's going higher so I can be the first stop.
It figured. The guy punched one floor below his. One fucking floor. He looked at his watch. Can't catch a break.
Finally. Jesus Christ. Mark stepped back into the elevator, ignoring the delivery guy's thank you. Fucker should learn to operate a goddamn dolly and not hold people up with real jobs. Bee Cee Dee. Blue collar douche bag.
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The elevator doors opened with a ding, and he was thrown into the foyer with such force he was unconscious before he hit the opposite wall.
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When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the acrid smoke that had formed in a thick layer against the ceiling. He breathed in deeply, and coughed so hard his shoulders left the marble floor.
What the fuck was that? He could hardly think.
His whole body aching, he managed to roll over in a fetal position and find the handkerchief he kept in the side pocket of his suit coat. He shifted his ass and pulled his knees under him, resting on his elbows and covering his mouth. His eyes were watering, and when he tried to rise up on his hands he felt his elbows go weak and almost collapsed again.
After a moment, he was able to turn his body parallel to the wall, although the effort exhausted him. When he tried to sit up, he blacked out again.
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There was more smoke now. He was propped up against the wall, legs splayed out in front of him. His jacket was off, lying next to him on the floor, and his collar was loosened. Did I do that? He didn't remember, but he was thinking more clearly now. He brought the handkerchief up to his mouth and breathed deeply. Must've been a gas leak, or something. Started a fire somewhere. Gotta get outta here.
When he was finally able to stand, he actually walked over and pushed the elevator button before realizing that wasn't happening. He laughed, or at least he thought he did. What the hell? Then he realized he couldn't hear. Oh, shit.
He made his way towards the stairs, passing the conference room. He looked inside, and could not believe what he saw. Holy fuck. That was a powerful explosion. His knee was killing him, and he would've limped by, except he heard someone cry out his name.
Hey, I can hear. Thank Christ. He turned towards the stairs.
"Feldman!"
Oh, yeah. Someone calling me. He hopped into the room.
It's a lot less smoky in here.
And then he saw him.
Taylor was sitting on the floor, at one end of the long mahogany table. Blood ran down the side of his face. He was crying.
"Help me up!"
Jesus, whatever happened to please, Mark thought, and let out a crazed giggle which Taylor didn't seem to notice.
He limped over and leaned on the table for a moment to catch his breath.
"Feldman!"
Mark leaned down and hoisted Taylor up onto the table.
"What's the matter with you?"
Mark just looked at him. He was thinking a little more clearly now.
"I was passed out in the hallway. What the hell happened?"
"How should I know?" Taylor snapped. "Just help get me out of here."
Mark smiled.
"Okay. But shouldn't you call Beverly?"
Taylor just looked at him stupidly.
"Tell her what happened. That you're okay." Mark nodded towards a phone on the desk.
A light went off in the old man's eyes. But it was dim. Mark could tell he was still a little foggy.
"Yes, of course. Help me."
Mark put one of Taylor's arms over his shoulder, and walked him towards the phone.
On the desk.
By the blown out window.
When he got Taylor to the desk, he shoved him out.
He could swear the old man turned in mid air and just looked at him before he dropped, like the roadrunner in those old cartoons. Or was that the other one?
Who the fuck knows? He stepped back quickly. Always scary on the edge. You got that feeling you might lose control and jump.
He walked out into the hallway.
His knee felt a little better now. Finally caught a break.
I'd sure like to see that shit from below, he thought, as he entered the stairwell, joining the others trudging down the steps.
User Reviews
Submitted by Beano312003 (user info) at 2006-09-13 07:08:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Just could not enjoy the writing.
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2006-09-13 00:32:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Very interesting. There are a several good stories on the front page today. I wish it was always so.
Submitted by WatchMyStep (user info) at 2006-09-12 21:48:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2006-09-12 17:54:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Figured it out as I was reading it. Must have been crazy to not know what the fuck was happening.
Submitted by MouthSore (user info) at 2006-09-12 14:42:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by UnderOathMeal (user info) at 2006-09-12 09:21:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Good.
Submitted by ICO (user info) at 2006-09-12 08:08:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
+1-worthy
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2006-09-12 07:59:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
In the great film of my life I will be played by Corey Feldman. If I'd fallen out the window of that building we'd have had the budget to have me played by Edward Norton.
I didn't read the post, sorry. Truth be told I've kind of forgotten what I'm reviewing. I'm sure it was fabulous though.
Submitted by DCWoody (user info) at 2006-09-12 07:22:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Meh.
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