Page 1, and Explanation
Apr. 23rd, 2005 01:36 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
unforthHey all. this is a story I wrote last semester during class that I found while I was going through some papers from then. Thought I'd type it up to preserve it, and maybe write some more. I really did like the way this one started. :)
“Everything is coming together just as we planned,” said the tall man, a note of triumph in his voice. “At this rate, we’ll be ready in mere days! I knew it was a good idea to acquire those additional engineers, they are making all the difference. Don’t you agree, sir?”
There was a long, uncomfortable silence. As it lengthened, more and more of the minions in the room turned to stare at the desk on the pedestal on which sat their superior. He stared blankly into space, not at all like his normal range of reactions. There were many reasonable answers to the tall mans query, they knew – a reprimand, a maniacal laugh, a simple agreement an encouragement – yet no answer of any kind for far too long. No one really knew what to make of this silence.
Finally, the tall man cleared his throat. “Don’t you agree, sir?” he asked, less triumphant and more tentative.
“Huh?” the boss shook his head, looking confused. This was not the reassurance that the minions were hoping for. Many shifted, glancing at each other uncomfortably. “I’m sorry, what?”
The tall man, with effort, kept the distress out of his voice. “The plan, sir. It is proceeding very much as planned,” he paused, “isn’t it?”
The introduction of this doubt sent a murmur of shock through the minions. Perhaps this was some as-yet-unseen expression of their masters’ dissatisfaction. Several minions, horror on teir faces, edged nervously towards the only exit from the room.
“I’m afraid I’m not following you, good sir,” th boss smiled warmly at the tall man. “Perhaps we should start this dialogue over again. With an introduction, perhaps?” the boss thrust out his hand enthusiastically. “My name is Alexander Reynolds. And you are?”
This was definitely not among the responses that the minions had anticipated. The color drained from the tall man’s face. He stared at the bosses hand as if he was being offered a chance to place his hand in a beasts’ many-toothed mouth. As if he could imagine the powerful jaws sinking into his flesh, he drew his arms in around himself.
Alexander Reynolds looked crestfallen at this overt rejection. He withdrew his hand, examining it in the hopes that he might be able to discern why it had elicited such an extreme response. “Well then,” he looked around the room as if he were seeing it for the first time. “What’s all this then? Very strange kind of place, isn’t it?”
More minions looked nervously towards the door. The fact that Mr. Reynolds was correct, that it really was a strange place, did little to ease their minds. Lights on banks of expensive-looking electronic equipment flickered silently, but all eyes were on the desk on the raised dais.
“Everything is coming together just as we planned,” said the tall man, a note of triumph in his voice. “At this rate, we’ll be ready in mere days! I knew it was a good idea to acquire those additional engineers, they are making all the difference. Don’t you agree, sir?”
There was a long, uncomfortable silence. As it lengthened, more and more of the minions in the room turned to stare at the desk on the pedestal on which sat their superior. He stared blankly into space, not at all like his normal range of reactions. There were many reasonable answers to the tall mans query, they knew – a reprimand, a maniacal laugh, a simple agreement an encouragement – yet no answer of any kind for far too long. No one really knew what to make of this silence.
Finally, the tall man cleared his throat. “Don’t you agree, sir?” he asked, less triumphant and more tentative.
“Huh?” the boss shook his head, looking confused. This was not the reassurance that the minions were hoping for. Many shifted, glancing at each other uncomfortably. “I’m sorry, what?”
The tall man, with effort, kept the distress out of his voice. “The plan, sir. It is proceeding very much as planned,” he paused, “isn’t it?”
The introduction of this doubt sent a murmur of shock through the minions. Perhaps this was some as-yet-unseen expression of their masters’ dissatisfaction. Several minions, horror on teir faces, edged nervously towards the only exit from the room.
“I’m afraid I’m not following you, good sir,” th boss smiled warmly at the tall man. “Perhaps we should start this dialogue over again. With an introduction, perhaps?” the boss thrust out his hand enthusiastically. “My name is Alexander Reynolds. And you are?”
This was definitely not among the responses that the minions had anticipated. The color drained from the tall man’s face. He stared at the bosses hand as if he was being offered a chance to place his hand in a beasts’ many-toothed mouth. As if he could imagine the powerful jaws sinking into his flesh, he drew his arms in around himself.
Alexander Reynolds looked crestfallen at this overt rejection. He withdrew his hand, examining it in the hopes that he might be able to discern why it had elicited such an extreme response. “Well then,” he looked around the room as if he were seeing it for the first time. “What’s all this then? Very strange kind of place, isn’t it?”
More minions looked nervously towards the door. The fact that Mr. Reynolds was correct, that it really was a strange place, did little to ease their minds. Lights on banks of expensive-looking electronic equipment flickered silently, but all eyes were on the desk on the raised dais.
