#SwiftFicFriday – Week 140 Winner!

Happy Tuesday!

Sheri White (@sheriw1965) flew the highest this week and takes her first win!

Check out her story below and congratulate her on Twitter.

Congrats on your #SwiftFicFriday win @sheriw1965! Check out her flash piece and show her some love #WritingCommunity

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Just Another Workday

I hear Travis over in the next field scream out in frustration. I looked up just in time to see him throw his trowel, barely missing a workmate.

*That fucker’s going to get us all killed*, I thought. I blew my whistle. He looked up and walked slowly towards me.

“What’s up, Travis?”

“I’m sorry, Boss. I’m sick of this work. I’m hot, tired, hungry. And why, with all their supposed innovation, can’t they give us some modern fucking tools?” His voice rose.

I get it. We all do. I looked around at the other fields, everyone working hard and looking miserable. I hate being in charge. My job is to work them pretty much 24/7.

I wish I could commiserate, but I’m forbidden.

“Get back to work and keep a smile on your face.”

“How’s this, Boss?” He grinned at me, baring his teeth in a rictus.

I leaned in towards him. “Quit fucking around, man. They’re always watching.”

He flashed a regular smile at me. “Better?”

“Not really. You don’t look happy.”

“Whatever.” He went back to his work area and began digging.

***
I was making my rounds when I heard the drones. Oh, shit.

“Everybody—SMILE!”

The drones stopped in front of everyone. If they detected a smile, they moved on.

I was relieved to see the drones moving quickly. Then it was Travis’s turn. *Don’t fuck this up*.

I saw him start to smile, but instead screamed “Fuck you!” at the drone.

In an instant a laser beam shot from the drone right into Travis’s forehead. He was dead before he dropped.

A robotic voice filled the air. “Man in charge—clean this mess.” It flew off with the others.

I grabbed a body bag and headed over to Travis, a smile fixed on my face.