Order 5

They both had a hand occupied by a cup of coffee. Half of Order 4 and Order 5 were yet to be completed. They continued to engage in a largely gleeful conversation as they awaited their pastries. Order 4 wore glasses. Order 5 wore a cap. The nature of their relationship was difficult to determine. I stood behind them, alone, after a busy day at the brick-and-glass building that houses the advertising agency that provides me with a biweekly wage that I promptly surrender to the bank to service my debts. I was Order 6. I have worked at the same agency as a copywriter for twelve years. In my leisure time, I enjoy writing fiction. I have never published anything. I write for leisure because, like watching a loved one laugh at your joke, it brings me joy. Like a white flag waving in the conflict zone, it foreshadows at least a transient period of peace. Like a microscope, writing provides an insight into who I am and allows me to understand the world around me. Standing in the queue, I refrained from using my phone. Instead, I took in my surroundings. My gaze focused ahead; I counted the exposed bricks behind the counter one at a time from the top right corner like I was reading an Arabic text as I waited for my cappuccino. 

1,2,3,4,5.  

As I counted, I inadvertently caught then purposefully sought details of the pair's conversation. Order 4 mentioned they desired a new job or, more accurately, needed one. Order 4 was in a similar field to mine, the marketing and advertising space. I do not know what Order 5 did. However, judging by their muted response, I can only assume they had a different occupation. Order 4’s exact wording escapes me. However, what has lingered is the seeming conflict Order 4 faced and the subtle courage with which they expressed the clash between conformity and desire, adherence and freedom. Order 4 appreciated their current job. They liked the reliability, routine, dependability, and comfort. But they also expressed a desire for something more, something different, change. Something more meaningful, creative, expressive, and a better reflection of who they were. I admired Order 4’s courage, elegance, and vulnerability in how they dwelt in the conflict's seeming irreconcilability. I hope Order 5 noted that. Order 5 stared, smiled, and intermittently nodded. I did not hear Order 5’s full response. I am not sure how happy Order 4 was with it. I wonder if Order 4 noticed Order 5’s internal conflict. I wonder if it resonated with Order 4. I wonder if Order 4 will ever express their internal conflict and thus realise that in Order 5 is a bit of themself.

25, 26, 27, 28.

Lately, I have spent many hours on hold over the phone. I recently received a letter informing me of the impending closure of my electricity provider. Since then, I have made many calls as I have searched for a new electricity provider. As I have called each electricity provider, I have often been put on hold. 

51,52,53,54.

I have always thought that if I were an up-and-coming artist, I would want my songs to be played during the time callers were placed on hold. The only issue is being on hold is a horrible experience. It is an experience that we all want to avoid. Like calling a fried chicken restaurant salmonella, associating my music with such a poor experience may sink my nonexistent music career. However, if my music was good enough, I assume it would improve the experience. What if I could improve the on-hold experience? I think I know how this might be done. 

Instead of listening to company advertisements, special offers, or the company values that read like a high school essay written by a synonym enthusiast, what if the time while on hold offered one something more meaningful? There is something cheap, almost distasteful, sad, and treacherous about the sole aim of attention capturing being exposing people to commercials. This misuse of attention kills art and the creative process. It ruins what was once beautiful and pure, idle contemplation. What it does to art, it also does to the soul.

89,90,91,92. 

If I could talk to Order 4, I would tell them this; to live is to create, and to create is to live. To create and to live requires courage. Either instead or in addition to having a regular job, I would suggest Order 4 dabbled in something unique that I would happily provide.  

Imagine if I called an electricity provider and when I was placed on hold, a short message was played stating, “ Welcome to Metro Energy. While you are on hold, we thought you might enjoy creating something, and what better way to create than to write? You will be offered three story template options around 600 words in length. Select either 1,2, or 3 to choose the story you want to write. After your selection, the template will be read to you, and using your keypad you will be able to select words, phrases, characters, and the story’s setting and thus write your own unique story. When finished, you can access your story at our website”. What an experience that would be. I can imagine calling and selecting my preferred option. A voice not too dissimilar to mine would start reading the story. Like a choose-your-own-adventure book, I would intermittently be asked to make decisions about the story and thus craft my own narrative.   

The curiosity shown by Metro Energy or more accurately, the advertising firm they contract to set up the on-hold message would allow me to do something creative and thus experience a period of freedom through creation. 

110,111,112,113. 

This is what Order 4 should do. Order 4 needs this idea. I think she can execute it to perfection. I have pieces that Metro Energy’s advertising firm could use. Maybe my idea could help solve Order 4’s job issue. Maybe Order 4’s job issues could solve Order 6’s publishing issues. Maybe I should start Metro Energy’s advertising firm and kill two birds with one stone.  

149,150,151. 

Their pastries arrived. They proceeded toward the exit. Where they were going? I do not know. That may have been their single encounter. They may see each other every day. In an alternate universe, I tell Order 4 my idea, they execute it and our mutual expression of courage and grace allows both of us to experience freedom through creation. But in this universe, I am Order 6, waiting for my cappuccino as Order 4 and Order 5 drift back from whence they came, the unknown and, I continue counting. 

152, 153, 154. 

Themes - cafes, counting bricks, electricity  

Your turn - Submit a 600 word piece of fiction based on one of these three themes and a selection will be placed on the blog. Happy writing.