Teppy was (and is!) awesome indeed.

Indeed, I'm so amazed you were able to do it for so long. Any other fic challenge type site I've seen has at least 2-3 moderators. You got stamina, girl.

Challenge for tomorrow: people I did not kill today. (fiction or non-fiction).

Only 88 words, but I ran out of things to say.

I did not kill the bob today,
though I was sore tempted when
he laughed and said that he'd
given my name to a friend
so I could do for free
what I do to live.

Unfortunately, my hand got tangled
in the phone cord instead of plunging
down the line to grip his throat
until his eyes popped.

And the bob laughed again,
unaware of his near fate,
while I nursed my sore fingers
and cursed the little holes
in the telephone receiver that
thwarted his destruction.

I heart Deena. Thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis much.

Deena that is great. Turns out I can't respond to my own challenge.

I'm fiddling with the Today part of the challenge

That call--"He's in the ER, get down here."

I snap his name to the first uniformed person I see. Half a dozen people point to the closed double doors that lead to the ER proper. Amy's touch on my shoulder slows me down long enough for the electric eye to pick up my approach and start opening the doors.

"Ma'am, there's the paperwork--"

My head swivels and I meet a minion's eyes. The minion squeaks and drops the clipboard. The doors open and I hear his voice, in pain. Next thing, I'm holding his hand and doctors and nurses are going, "Uh, you're not supposed to be in here."

I glance at them, tuck myself into a corner away from the machines, and watch until he's better. Three hours in, they ask Amy if there's any way she can get me out of there. She laughs.

Thanks Bev!

Turns out I can't respond to my own challenge.

I think I'm pleased that I had fodder to work with.

Connie, I love that. It's painful and very real.

Deena I'm glad it helped. And Connie, is it wrong that in addition to totally empathizing with you (cause I had someone I love in the med system too) I laughed?

Those are both so vivid.

I didn't think I'd have one for this topic, but I seem to

People I Did Not Kill Today

I keep a small bottle of arsenic in my apron pocket. It keeps my spirits up. All those customers who swear they said “latte” when I know they said “espresso”, or forgot to request soy, or think orders take less time to fill when they're in a hurry, well, they get an extra sweet smile as I say “Have a nice day” and think “I just saved your life”.

It's a real boon to customer service, my secret extra shot. I hardly ever even take it out, just knowing it's there is enough. Usually.