DON'T READ THIS! – VOLUME I
A collection of short fiction (and one poem)
by Jon Hartford
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2011 Jon Hartford
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Smashwords Edition, License Notes
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Null Writer's Conference
(279 Words)
“Hello everyone, I'm new,” Webster said. He set his notebook bag down on a table and walked up to the group.
“Great, another idiot,” Carlene muttered under her breath. She sat off to the side, chicken-pecking at a mottled pink keyboard and smelling of skittles.
“Glad to have you here,” a tall, hyperactive man in a fluorescent green suit said, walking up to the newcomer and sticking out a hand. “My name's Todd, and I'm a crying shame.” The others in the group nodded at Webster and looked away in all directions, pretending to study some suddenly fascinating speck on the wall.
The visitor picked his suitcase up from the table, ignoring the hand extended to him, and sat down across the table from Carlene. She glared at him, then quickly returned to her typing. The rest of the people in the room wandered off in all directions, humming to themselves, not looking where they were going, and avoiding eye contact with each other. Todd remained where he was, hand outstretched, grinning widely, and not moving at all.
Webster took a paperback book out of his suitcase and opened it. As he slowly twisted the book covers back from each other further and further, the binding began to strain. Carlene looked up into his face, her eyes burning with anger. She said nothing. The back of the book began to creak.
“What do you want?”