Maze Rumors
Phillip clutched the sealed envelope, his summons to complete the maze. Except for the fog swirling around, it was a straight shot.
“You do so at your peril,” said one.
“You’ll disappear,” rumored another.
None of this tiptoeing through the garden tulips. He ran for it; grubby, little hands snatched at his ankles, and they whispered at every turn.
“I can’t concentrate,” Philip yelled at no one.
He plunged ahead into a door, and they laughed at him. This was no treacherous cliff. A long corridor lead Philip to a meeting underway with a bunch of suits.
Oh, what a disappointment.
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Genre: Urban Fantasy (100 words)
Perhaps, this guy needs a vacation. Thank you to Melanie Greenwood for sharing one of her vacation photos with us here, which made for a most excellent prompt. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting the Friday Fictioneers and for all her gracious time.
This story was written for Friday Fictioneers 100-word photo prompt. Check out more stories from the Fictioneers HERE.
Oh my goodness is office life a maze. I hope he does take his vacation.
Have you seen the move “Divergent”? This reminded me of pieces of that film.
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Right, Melanie. Lost in the cubes. I hope he gets to go to as magical a place as this.
No, I haven’t seen that one. I did see “Maze Runner,” however. Not quite like this, but a strange film.
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I wish everyone could experience a place as magical as this, with the same guiltless, reckless abandon as I did.
I was intrigued by the previews for “Maze Runner”, but I haven’t seen it yet. Was it good?
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Oh, truly I really thrilled you got the opportunity to see this place.
It was so-so…a rentable. It was entertaining. The maze is pretty cool actually. That alone is reason to watch it.
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I’ve had days like that.
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Thanks, Tracey. I know this feeling well. Sometimes people wait too long to take that well-earned vacation, too.
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take the vacation and avoid the maze.
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I agree, Irene. I think this guy is long overdue. Thanks for commenting.
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Poor guy. All that effort and he ends up in a meeting 😦
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I have a feeling it’s going to be a long meeting, too. 😦
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Looks like Phillip has a big imagination. Either that or the company likes to make meetings mysterious. Well done, Amy. 🙂 — Suzanne
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True. It could be a whacked place to work with mazes that you were required to complete before attending meetings. I think Phillip might like that. Thank you, Suzanne. 🙂
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Your reference to “tiptoeing through the tulips” made me wonder if it was referring to Tiny Tim and the song, “Tiptoe through the Tulips.” (Way before your time). I loved how the maze was compared to “corporations and the “suits.” So very true.
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PJ, I’m not sure where the tiptoeing through the tulips reference came in for me. The song is there, of course, but I thought more about this beautiful garden maze. I just love flowers, and flowers are so unlike the corporate maze and suits. Thanks so much.
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Thanks for the explanation. 🙂
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Dear Amy,
I think a meeting with suits could be treacherous. 😉 Thanks for leading me through the maze and veering off into anther direction. Fun story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I wholeheartedly agree with your statement about the suits. A cliff may be less treacherous. 🙂 Thanks. I went with the flow this week and this is where the maze took me.
Shalom,
Amy
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I’m familiar with those cube dwellers. I hope he doesn’t wet his pants. I hate when that happens.
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Yes, Russell, that would be an unfortunate turn of events and would make the cube dwelling even more uncomfortable. 🙂
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A fun read, Amy, and a great image of grubby little hands snatching at ihs ankles… Poor overwrought man! I really felt fo him on that treacherous route to the dreaded meeting. 🙂
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Thanks, Millie. I know, poor guy. He probably doesn’t get any sleep at night either with those grubby little hands pawing at him all night. He’s definitely overworked, I would say. Thanks for your comments. 🙂
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Often, this is how I felt entering management meetings at the TV station. It was like running the gauntlet. I was always the only woman in the room. The token female to keep the watchers at bay when scrutinizing the old boys club. Unfortunately, I was also the last woman in the room. That was seven years ago.
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I hear that about the TV industry. Well, hell, that’s every industry, isn’t it? Practically, except for teaching. Once I wanted to write a Hollywood screenplay, but thought better of it once I learned of all the odds. I’m not saying I’ll never try to write one though, just to have done it! Thanks for sharing, Michelle. It sounds like a tough spot to be in, but I’m sure you you showed them how it’s done, running circles around those guys. No maze there. Do you think anything has changed?
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Things haven’t changed at that particular TV station. If anything they have dug their “old boys club” heels in. However, I have seen some really remarkable women succeed at other stations. They have paved the way for the ones behind them. Now if only the ones coming up would be willing to put in some effort.
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Oh, the world of cubicles. A necessary evil? Perhaps. Interesting take on the prompt, Amy.
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Thanks, Honie. It seems to be the necessary evil. However, I read this article about the futuristic workplace where people stand instead of sit and it’s very wide open.
Take a look. I think it’s pretty fascinating:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/07/no-sitting-office_n_6422934.html
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I often felt like a rat trapped in a maze when I was working as a nurse in a teaching hospital. I would ask myself, what would I be gaining if I stay – more stress and sleep deprivation. That’s how I got out. That’s not to say I hadn’t love my job.
Lily
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Even those jobs that are enjoyable, it’s hard to get away from the politics, etc. I’ve worked in many mazes. I think they’re definitely bad for your mental health and for creativity. Nurses are saints. My mom was a nurse for many many years in mental health. Like you, she loved her job, but it took a lot out of her and caused lots of stress. I totally understand what you speak of.
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nice. i can relate to the fellow. it reminds me of work.
http://wp.me/p6FwZ-lL
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Wow! Thanks for the link. It seems like quite a spacious building you work in. At least you’re by the kitchen. I was surprised by the co-ed showers. What a place! Thanks, Plaridel.
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the showers are co-ed only in a sense that they are unisex. each is available for anyone in complete privacy.
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Awww, got it.
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I have described some days at at work as having stepped into the abyss, so I totally get this.
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I hear you. I can imagine an entirely made up world to go with it, although I’ve never done that. 🙂 Thank you, Dawn.
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That’s the real maze, Amy, office politics and company organizational structures. 🙂 Nice one.
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Thanks, David. It’s hard to get out from under it. 🙂
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I’ve been in good and bad office environments. This one is pretty good, although it has its incomprehensible moments too. Luckily, I’m low enough on the chart to avoid most of the crazy stuff.
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Whew! That’s good to hear. I’m glad you’re happy in your new job. Incomprehensible moments are required, I guess.
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wow – Amy – is this where you want to live with your Prince?? I will play for both of you under the stars!!
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Awww, so lovely, Mihran! It would be a nice place to wander through.
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Business meetings are no fun at all. Phillip needs to take a break. Very imaginaative take on the prompt.
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I know, right, they’re never fun. And, why not? I think Phillip might lose his mind. Thank you, Margaret.
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I don’t think this man was meant for a cubicle desk job. Too mundane. Nicely done!
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True. I think this job is his number one problem. Thank you!
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Amy,
Your character has run straight into what I am sure hell will be like. 🙂 Fun story for this week.
All my best,
Marie Gail
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That would be a kind of hell, wouldn’t it, if everything lead to an business meeting. Oh, poor fellow. Thanks so much, Marie.
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Nice reminder about why I’m so glad I quit working the corporate Grind eleven years ago. Just riding the elevator with suits added to the drudgery.
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I can’t imagine you in the corporate Grind at all. I have had a few corporate experiences and they weren’t up my alley, either. So glad you got free of it for yourself, V.
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Excellent training for LIFE ITSELF. Not that life is a disappointment. It’s not. But there are disappointing elements that can’t be sidestepped. I’ve tried.
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That’s true. Not everything is roses, and sometimes you must sit in the dreaded meeting, like it or not. My experience with meetings is that there is a lot of ego and time wasting. However, lately, I’ve discovered the high tech meeting, which is highly focused. I think it is an improvement. You get stuff done. As for life, you must take chances even if it ends in disappointment. That’s one of my mottos…well, sort of.
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Sorry it’s taken so long to read and comment on your story – computer issues all week.
Anyway, this is a great take on the idea of THE MAZE of work and dealing with co-worker’s and the boss’s grubby little hands – metaphorically speaking of course. Kudos
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Oh, no need to apologize. My story is late this week and I’m still reading FF stories, too. I’m sorry to hear about your computer issues. Boy, I’ve had my share of those, Alicia!
Thanks for the kind words. Like in the maze, I tried to flow with it this week, and this is what came up. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Are you working with recruitment? This could be the next step in setting up innovative ways of getting the right person to do the job.
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No, Bjorn, I’m not. Do you think I should work in recruitment? Maybe I would have lots of excellent ideas, yes? With just a little imagination and perseverance…
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LOL I love this. If only all meetings started out like this.
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Thanks, Emilie. Yeah, imagine. I don’t think any meetings would ever happen.
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Oh how I miss that life. NOT! Nice one, Amy, sorry I’m late.
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Tell me about. I don’t miss it either. No problem. I just appreciate that you’re here. It doesn’t matter when. 🙂 I was late this week! Thanks.
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