CLIPBOARD
Prompt - Clipboard : Write about words you imagine on an office clipboard
The blonde mullet fluttering in the wind was as much of a landmark as his vibrant dayglo vest. In his left hand a clipboard, in his right a pen. On his face the glow of jobsworthy authority, his place in the sun. Senior firewarden. He loved it. His moment to shout at anyone not following the instructions, be they a cleaner or the big boss. His chance to show his mastery of the moment. And be the man to talk to the firefighters. What could be better.
He knew what to do, had rehearsed so often for this moment, but he would still do the right thing - by going through the steps on the sheets of paper tightly clipped to the board in his hand, by following instructions.
He waved his pen at stragglers, indicating their need for speed, shouted commands to the other vests. One by one they came up when called, to give their situation reports. Tick, tick, tick went in as each section reported back, as floors were identified as cleared, as the annexes were added to the list. The last report as the first fire engine drew up, and he could proudly march to the first man out and make his report, show him the facts and figures he'd collected, show him that procedures had been followed.
"Aye, but has anyone identified a potential fire source, anyone smelt or seen anything?"
Blondie looked down at his papers. That wasn't on the list. He didn't know. The clipboard had let him down.
No comments:
Post a Comment