Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: The Editor (05/27/10)
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TITLE: Day of Wreckoning | Previous Challenge Entry
By Holly Hoell
05/29/10 -
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He enjoyed the drive zooming in and out of the lanes, passing everyone. He arrived at work in a great mood.
“Good morning Mary.” His secretary was a beautiful woman. It was a professional office, but she always dressed like she was going to a party. She winked at him and smiled.
Good morning Kevin, want some coffee?
“I’m good. What’s on the agenda for today?”
“A new manuscript was on my desk this morning with your name on it,” she said, handing him a large binder. I glanced at a few pages; it looks like a Christian novel.
“Okay, but the old man better give me a huge raise this year,” he replied, laughing. “See that no one disturbs me.”
He shut his office door behind him, tossed the manuscript on his desk and headed for the liquor cabinet. Reading dry, religious jargon would definitely require some stimulation. He poured himself some scotch and sat down looking through the material.
He immediately noticed the main character’s name was Kevin. After a few pages, he read:
It was Tuesday morning when Thomas passed away. Kevin cried for hours over his younger brother’s death. He wouldn’t let go of the ragged blue Care Bear he called magic.
That was him! He took the last gulp of scotch and headed upstairs.
“Janice, I need to speak with my dad.”
“I’m sorry Kevin; he’s out today. He said he’ll be back in the morning.” Anticipating his next request, she stated, “He forgot his cell phone too. I tried to get him earlier but I could hear it ringing in his office.”
Okay Janice, thanks.
He stopped at Mary’s desk. “Mary, have you met the writer of that manuscript?”
“No I haven’t. As I said, it was on my desk this morning. Is something wrong?”
“Everything is fine, thanks Mary.”
He closed his door, sat down, and continued to read. This book talked about him being an editor. It told of things no one could know. Hours later, after finishing the book; he sat at his desk in a daze. Who wrote this? It was his life’s story in the beginning; but it ended in a horrible car accident, miraculous recovery, and salvation.
Bleary eyed and feeling sick, he staggered over to his brown leather sofa. He pulled his jacket over himself and was asleep in minutes.
The next morning, he woke to Mary’s voice, "Kevin, are you ok?"
“Mary, I had the weirdest dream, you gave me a manuscript and - - wait, why am I in my office?”
“You must have worked late, are you sure you’re ok?”
“Is my dad here?”
“Yes, do you – “
Kevin almost knocked her over as he ran from his office and up the stairs. He burst into the well decorated office.
His father sat at his desk, stoically, as if expecting him. “Good morning Kevin.”
Shutting the door, Kevin exclaimed; “where did this manuscript come from? This manuscript is my life story and then some. I want to know who wrote it.”
“Listen Kevin, I’ve wanted you to have this for a while now, but I was afraid you wouldn’t read it. Your mom – she wrote it. She –“
“Dad, she died 15 years ago. I wasn’t even an editor yet.”
“I know; I’m amazed how accurate her writing has been. Knowing what happens next; I felt that you needed to see it.”
What? You think I am going to get into an accident now, is that it?
“Son, I honestly don’t know. Your mom loved you and she wrote this book all about you.”
“Great dad, that’s great,” he yelled, as he walked out, slamming the door.”
“Kevin, wait;” his father yelled.
“My life is perfect now; nothing is going to change it. I’m leaving.”
He peeled out of the complex in his Mercedes; failing to notice a young mother crossing the street with a baby carriage. Swerving to miss them, he collided head on with a large truck. The last thing he saw before the accident was a blue Care Bear seemingly looking at him from the carriage.
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There are some problems here: some missing quotation marks caused me to have to backtrack a few times, and the secretary seems to be named both Janice and Mary.
Love the pun in your title and the open ending--awesome.