Maze Rumors – Friday Fictioneers

~ Amy Reese
garden-maze
Copyright – Melanie Greenwood

 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.

************************************

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.

58 thoughts on “Maze Rumors – Friday Fictioneers”

  1. 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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    1. 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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      1. 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?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. 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.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. 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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  6. 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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    1. 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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    1. 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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    1. 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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  10. 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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    1. 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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      1. 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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  12. 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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    1. 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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      1. 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.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. 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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    1. 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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  22. 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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    1. 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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