Winona is just finishing her guilty Monday-morning Facebook check at work when Jennifer, the loud part-time American, comes up to her. No need to minimize her browser so hastily, she sees. Jennifer is brandishing a plate. “Hi! Wasn’t it a gorgeous weekend!” Jennifer half-yells. “I brought in some babka from Yom Kippur!” Winona’s brow creases. […]
Entries Tagged as 'shortfic'
If That Cake Could Talk, It Would Say “Oy”
September 20th, 2010 Comments Off on If That Cake Could Talk, It Would Say “Oy”
Tags: religion of all things
Roastless
September 13th, 2010 1 Comment
Will found himself, on Sunday night, left to his own devices. Winona has been away for three days and wouldn’t be back for two more. It was raining. He could smell the neighbors’ dinner, spaghetti bolognaise. His phone was silent. The possibilities of the Internet were exhausted. Loneliness seeped under the doors with the cold […]
Melbourne Questions
September 10th, 2010 1 Comment
Winona is back at work, smiling at everyone who asked her, Did You Have A Good Time in Melbourne? In reply, she murmurs “Yes, no…” Something was a little off, in Melbourne. The spring clothes in Melbourne were just as hideous as the ones in Wellington. Perhaps that was why the hordes of commuters were […]
Tags: geography · other cities · winona
Rattled
September 9th, 2010 2 Comments
Wellington has a soft spot for the Cantabrians who leave Christchurch for Wellington’s windy hills. Not given to flashy plumage themselves, Wellingtonians appreciate the low-key Cantabrian style, and have even adopted their genteel, crooning “Hello! Hellooooooo!” They fit seamlessly into government and private work alike, put down roots, and lived happily. Until last Sunday’s earthquake. […]
Tags: geography · other cities
Spring, Now
September 1st, 2010 1 Comment
All of Wellington has been yearning towards spring. On days with the least sliver of sunshine, people sit down at outdoor cafe tables, set outside by equally hopeful cafe owners. Women put on their dresses, while girls wear soft short skirts above their winter-weight leggings. Everyone scans the skies like dogs yearning for a heavenly […]
Tags:
50s Meet 80s, or, Pass the Salsa
August 30th, 2010 Comments Off on 50s Meet 80s, or, Pass the Salsa
Three days ago, Willow timorously asked her friend Winona for help. What should she wear to go salsa dancing? Friday night found Willow standing shyly, hands jammed into the pockets of a cowl-necked cobalt tunic picked to Bring Out Her Eyes, looking for the guy who invited her salsa dancing. The crowd is intriguing; pairs […]
Tags: social mores · willow
In a Buzzword Blizzard
August 27th, 2010 Comments Off on In a Buzzword Blizzard
Frankie’s fired! Nervberg, as the second in command at the Department of Stodge, has been delegated the dirty work of making several of the staff “redundant.” The graphics design part-timer, Frankie, is one of them. He explained it all to Winona, who manages Frankie, in a buzzword blizzard. Cost cutting – restructuring - budgets – […]
Tags: jobs · social mores
Meeting Room Thirteen
August 25th, 2010 Comments Off on Meeting Room Thirteen
All up and down the Terrace and Featherston Street, there are cafes that have the luxury of closing all day Saturday and Sunday. Their free weekends are funded by being “Meeting Room 13.†When professionals in a central city office need to have a meeting, there’s a fifty-fifty chance that they’ll take off to a […]
The Prisoners of Policy
August 23rd, 2010 Comments Off on The Prisoners of Policy
At the Department of Stodge, Winona has noticed an odd stream of people going to Jen’s desk. “Jen, can you…†Each time, Jen gives them a knowing smile and bustles off with them. Winona decides to have a Manager Moment with her about it. “Jen, I was just looking for you. Were you at a […]
Tags: government · jobs
The Favourite
August 21st, 2010 Comments Off on The Favourite
Everyone has one: the Wellington restaurant they adore. Winona had become attached to a quirky brunch place near their flat. Instead of trying to cook in the galley kitchen on a chilly Sunday at 11 AM, it was more pleasant to escape there. The place served dinner, too, and decent drinks. It was vegetarian-friendly and […]
Tags: Cuba street · dining · unreal estate