Slow Burn (Jane Doe Flash Fiction)

Carrot Ranch July 13 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write about anger.

Scott Kellum/Creative Commons

Jane hovers over the “submit” button as she checks what she’s written. God, she hates online applications. Under “May we contact your present employer?” she’s put, No. Doesn’t know I’m interviewing.

It makes her quake, thinking about being caught. She boils at being put in this position, saying she still works where she doesn’t.

But it’s an accepted truth these days: Employers don’t want you unless you already have a job. Long-term unemployed need not apply.

The unspoken advice: Lie.

Whatever it takes. You try to screw me, I’ll screw you first.

She takes a shaky breath, clicks “submit.”

 

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