One Step at a Time

chicagomg
Photo (c) Marie Gall Stratford

One Step at a Time

 Words 100

Top floor! She panicked. Never in a thousand years would she manage to reach her goal.

She spied a signage and sighed in relief. Ah the lift!

She hurried to join the tail end of a long winding queue.

The queue behind grew longer and yet she didn’t move an inch.

Restless and impatient, she chaffed at the wait.

“Want to jump queue?” A voice whispered temptingly.

“How? I am new with no resources.”

“Fresh and resource full.” He leered lasciviously.

No time and miles to go.

Decision made she stepped out of the queue and headed for the stairs.

***

Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the challenge and Marie Gall Stratford for the photo prompt. To read the other stories or participate click here.

 

Published by

Dahlia

Email me at mysilverstreaks@gmail.com or tweet me @mysilverstreaks

51 thoughts on “One Step at a Time”

  12. Hmm!! I would have just gone down to the basement, to the Coffee Shop for the for a latte and a brownie making sure that old lecher was not following. (I love Bloomingdales, my favourite store in New York)

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    1. Ah would love a latte and a brownie (my fav!) I saw the building not as Bloomingdale but as one goal or dream, something to be aspired and the possible ways to achieve it. How we are often overwhelmed and discouraged by the enormity of the task. The trick is to keep your eye on the goal but focus on one step at a time. That’s what I was trying to convey -rather unsuccessfully 😦

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      1. Good morning Dahlia. Sorry I did not mean to trivialise what you were trying to portray. A woman has to overcome a lot of obstacles and many times achieves her goal a hard way.

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      1. Dear Dahlia
        Gosh, so you have. And you told us in the story. I overlooked that – I’m really sorry.
        You’ve written a good, consistent allegory. The only suggestion I would offer is to try to find a stronger way to signpost what you’ve done. Possibly the title?
        You set yourself a difficult challenge and largely succeeded. Kudos!
        With best wishes
        Penny

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  24. It seems people are taking the story literally.
    I presume you wrote this in light of all the sexual harassment cases popping up nowadays showing how women across various sectors have to provide sexual favours to advance their careers and climb to the top!

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    1. Not exactly – but I like your take on it as well 🙂 My take was for the way to approach an ‘insurmountable’ task or goal. How we often get overwhelmed with the obstacles and shortcuts and forget that all it needs is one step at a time. One of the enjoyable aspects of story writing is the different reactions it evokes. It is disappointing when it doesnt leave any impact but then that is also a learning experience. Thanks Anna for sharing your perspective 🙂

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