Responsible

Good flow to this compact piece. Nice, nice ending. I like it, Kim.

Kim, you may have struck a nerve like the character hitting the alarm button. Where indeed? Great micro, good matchup with the 52250 theme of we're not responsible, and earns you a fav.

Thanks so much, Sam and Randal. I confess, I struggled with the theme for a week, until this one literally hit me!

Nice one, Kim. Good work doing the 52/250 challenge and a 55-word story in one piece!

Life is hard.

Well done.

Very good.

"They cut her contract twice."
vs.
"Twice they cut her contract."

Like use of "banshee."

"She smashed the button, breaking the radio. Where? she wondered. Where?"
Punch the ending. Get an angrier word (e.g. "fumed") than "wondered."

Boy, ain't that the truth! Where indeed!!

Yep, the truth hurts...

: )

*

Captures the essence of a complex situation in a few words: well done.

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm":)

Glad you liked it, J. Lyudmyla, thanks for the read!

Kim, I love this. You capture what many must be feeling but can't put it into words. This is a little jewel.

Thanks, Jack. The frustration is everywhere. I hope this speaks to people.

Wonderful work, Kim. In the Micro world, brevity = intensity. And your plot is very timely for Our Times. The only nit I can pick is in the opener:

Yesterday, she dazzled, professionally brilliant . . . For my foggy mind, there should be a longer pause between dazzled and professionally. Would a semicolon work better between thoughts?

Thanks, Ramon! Glad you liked it.

Interesting thought on the longer pause. A semi-colon might be the answer. Or maybe it might need to be an even firmer break, like a new sentence.

Needs mulling... Great feedback!

This sardonic micro should be a warning label stuck on job application forms. :) Way to go, professionally brilliant Kim, using one story for two writing challenges!

One of the best uses of banshee ever.

Ooooh... nice, nice short
"Yesterday, she dazzled."
A fabulous opening line that speaks volumes about this character and her "future"

Short and snappy! Speaking as someone who's unemployed in an uncertain climate, the last bit really hit home. Great work!

Good use of both challenges. Well done.

Thanks for all the kind words, Frank, Lou, Susan, Sam and Matthew! Glad you liked it. Matthew, the two-challenge bit was just a happy accident!

so concise, yet volumes, yes.

this is my first 55-word story and i don't really see why i should read on. i love this character.

Thanks Julie and Marcus! I guess it's a matter of "enough said."

Marcus, there are some brilliant 55-worders here! Good to see you back.

Nice. Like a snapshot. Perfectly captured.

Brilliant, Kim. Peace *

Thanks Darryl and Linda!

Not sure how I missed this one, but great work, Kim. Very tight, effective micro.

Skillfully unsparing. Strong writing.

For so few words, it made me think lots. This is really good.

Thanks Meg and Foster! I appreciate your comments.

Kim! I'll say what's already been said (but it's always good to hear it again): the intensity here is wired just right.

Thanks, Michelle! So glad you liked it!

Kim, I love this. You manage to provide a well-developed character and story in only 55 words. Bravo! *

Thanks, J.B.! Glad you liked it!

Whoa -- strong, strong micro piece. Cuts to the core.

Thanks Pamela!

And, unfortunately, this bitter brilliant piece still shimmers relevant, even at this much later date! *