That Lunch

Flash Fiction

That Lunch

“I’m going to get fired for this.”

“No, you’re not Jimmy. Don’t be silly, why would you?”

“Because I let it happen. I was supposed to be on watch. When Anderson asks you to ‘take over’ till he gets back, he means make sure nobody gets silly.” Jim added.

“This isn’t silly, this is nice.” Lucy said, “Everybody brought stuff and we all get to share it at lunch.”

“But you all can’t stop working to set up a lunch together!”

“I’m sure if Anderson was here, he would be delighted! It’s just a little set up…”

“You’ve been setting up for fifteen minutes already! You told me you just had to get something from your car!”

“Yes, and a couple other people did too. Don’t worry, if Anderson was here, he would certainly have let us do it.”

“But he isn’t here, and I’m supposed to be keeping everyone busy doing their jobs…”

“Well people can’t very well do their jobs well, if they don’t have lunch! We’re almost done… why don’t you go back to your seat. You can’t very well do your own work while you’re whining to me…”

“I’m not whining! I’m just… well… Please hurry up!” off he went.

Just as he sat down, in walked Anderson. “Why are all those people in the lunch room already?”

“Ah… Lucy was… ah… getting ready for lunch and... she needed some help?”

“Oh really!” Anderson said, in a very distracting voice. Off he went.

Minutes later came a call on the intercoms calling everyone to the lunch room. Jim got up and tried to brace himself. As he walked in, everyone in there looked right at him… and yelled “Surprise! Happy Birthday Jim!” and they sang!

But Jim didn’t hear it… he had already passed out.