Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Gossip Mill (05/08/14)
-
TITLE: Perceptions | Previous Challenge Entry
By Steve McClure
05/15/14 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Ol’ man Hubbard’s doing OK, though. He owns this whole block. And it’s all leased out, too – except for that big bookstore on the corner that went out of business. That was some time ago, now. Come to think of it, that’s a large part of this block. Well, somebody will pick it up – it’s prime real estate.
Me? I work for ol’ man Hubbard. Been here for years. Helped build out a lot of these businesses. Seen a lot come and go, too. Keeps me employed, remodeling when a new business comes in. Take that shoe store down the block….
“Alex!”
“Yes sir, Mr. Hubbard.” Alex jumped as if caught with his hand in the till. Puffs of steam escaped through his chapped lips in the brisk fall air. He stuffed his ungloved hands into the pockets of his denim overalls and faced Hubbard.
“Get down to that empty unit on the corner. See that it’s tidied up. Got people coming to look at it tomorrow.” Hubbard turned and rushed back into the building. Tie and shirtsleeves were no longer sufficient to ward off the deepening cold.
“Yes sir, Mr. Hubbard.” It’ll be a big job fitting out that place when it’s finally leased. I’ll definitely need more guys than I have. Yeah, ol’ man Hubbard’s doing OK.
“Hey, Alex.”
“Hey, Frank.” Frank’s a construction guy like me. We could be competitors, but I’ve always had the Hubbard contract. Frank helps out on big jobs. “Hubbard send you down here, too?”
“Yeah. He said somebody important is coming in.”
“Important?”
“Yeah, that’s what he said.”
“Must be from out of town.”
“Could be. Don’t really know.”
“He hasn’t leased it already, has he?”
“Not that I know. But he must be expecting to soon, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”
“Um-hm.” Alex lifted his billed cap and scratched his balding head.
“Say,” Frank blurted. “Did you hear McClary’s is closing up?”
“No. Really?”
“Apparently.”
“What happened?”
“Can’t say. Just heard this morning.”
First Winding…now the McClarys. What’s up with that? I’ll bet they’ve got money problems. Playing the horses…expensive vacations…. “Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s not too much high living.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Happens all the time with these folks. Just look at Winding.”
“Can’t say I knew much about him.”
“Well, I never met him either, but…. Um-hm. We’ll see.”
The next morning, a late model sedan pulled up to the building, and a younger man wearing an expensive suit, tie, and overcoat stepped out. He asked Alex where he might find Mr. Hubbard, and Alex directed him to Hubbard’s door.
That guy looks like he just came from some big law firm. Is he the guy? Am I going to be fitting out a law office? That’ll be something. Wait till Frank hears.
Hubbard and the man came out of the building and walked down to the vacant corner unit. Alex followed as normal to answer questions and hear what might need to be done.
“Yes, Mr. Hubbard, I think this will do nicely.” The man glanced all around, peering into corners and examining the ceiling. “Let’s go back to your office and chat about it.”
After they’d gone, Alex phoned Frank. “Hey, Frank! You’ll never guess – we’re going to be outfitting a law office!”
“Really? Who’s the firm?”
“Dunno, but you should see this guy. He’s from out of town, all right.”
“I wouldn’t have thought a big place like that at street level would make a good law office.”
“Well, they just went off to make the deal.”
“OK. I’ll be waiting for a call.”
Alex strolled back up the street and arrived at the office just as Hubbard and the young man exited onto the street.
“Alex,” Hubbard called. “Come here and meet our new client.”
“Hi, Alex,” the man said, extending his hand. “I’m Jason Winding. We’re going to build this town a new youth fellowship center.”
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul – Prov 18:7.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
You did an awesome job of illustrating this point, by allowing the story to simply unfold. Great characters and dialogue, and realistic situations.
He said, "the only exercise they get is jumping to conclusions, that's why their tongues are so strong from exercising so much."
I never forgot that.
Anyhow...well done, good message, and great writing.
God bless~