PHOTO PROMPT © Robbie Cheadle
“How’s your first week going, Zara?”
“Awful. It’s like I’m on display, but also closed off—everyone has their groups already, so there’s no meaningful connection—no offense, George.”
He shrugged and crammed his red face full of banana.
“There’s stability, but no excitement. Security, but nothing significant to do, you know?” Zara shivered and smoothed the fur ring around her face. “It’s mind numbing, like I’m swimming in circles!”
George nodded, rubbed his gloved fingers together, and tossed the banana peel into a lion-shaped trashcan. “It’ll improve. All first office jobs feel like that.” He smiled. “Next stop, penguins?”
As always, many thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting Friday Fictioneers! Stop over and read a wonderful array of 100-word-fiction pieces based on this photo prompt!
Angela Writes... 
And on and on to the last syllable of recorded time
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Once you’re in the fishbowl, it’s hard to get out!
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Once the routine is know, all will be well, honest.
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That’s what they tell us. I hope you’re right, for Zara’s sake.
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I love how we assume it’s the monkeys speaking until we realise, nope! Well done, you! (And ironically along the lines I was going to write until the muse decided nope!)
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I’m glad you caught that! I wasn’t sure how effectively it would come across, but I literally couldn’t think of anything else, so I guess it was meant to be written, lol.
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It was so subtle. Bravo to you!! Ya done more than good 😉
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Thanks, Dale! 🙂
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i thought it was the monkeys talking too. nicely done. 🙂
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I’m glad it caught you off guard. That’s what I was going for :).
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I can sense Zara’s boredom. She probably wishes she was a monkey, they’re having far more fun!
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Yes! I think they inspired her rant. And she probably WOULD have more fun than in at the job… 🙂
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I think Zara should stop monkeying around and get a job that inspires her.
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Violet, you’re 100% right about that!
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That is one brilliant piece of misdirection there. Great fun. Let’s hope Zara finds some meaning in her work.
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I’m so glad it caught you off guard :). As for Zara, fingers crossed!
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Life is but a zoo, or at least some jobs are.
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Truer words were never spoken!
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That is very funny and so true.
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I’m thrilled you like it!
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Angela, well-written and very much enjoyed the misdirection.
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I’m so glad it caught you off guard! 🙂
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Oh, I love this sneaky twist. I thought it was the monkey’s talking! Great story, Angela.
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I gotcha! I’m so glad you enjoyed the story :).
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A unique twist from the photo! Loved it!
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I’m glad you like my take on all this monkey business!
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Oh I feel this. Well done. A great description of new start.
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New jobs can certainly feel like you’re at the zoo! 🙂
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I loved this. It keeps you reading since which way it’ll end up going 🙂 Great job.
-David
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David, I’m glad the little twist at the end caught you off guard!
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Dear Angela,
Brilliant misdirect. We forget humans eat bananas, too. 😉 Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I never think of going to the zoo in the winter, but this photo made the season clear—and the misdirection work. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
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