A new job in the big city
Should I take it?
I came to this town to do a job and keep my head down. Sure, there is plenty of excitement here, if that’s what you’re looking for. I wasn’t.
When I was offered the job, I had to think about it. Small-town boy, used to knowing people around the neighborhood. I could roll down to the local store, buy groceries, share a joke or two with the storekeeper and then walk back home, smiling and greeting people in the street. I stayed away from bars, read a book or two and went to bed early.
I tried to turn the job down, but the recruitment agent wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. I was the best man for the job, she said. Maybe I was, who knows? I ended up taking it anyway. The money was good, the job would soon be done, and I could return to my quiet life.
So here I am, ready to go. I turn into the service alley and pick out the ‘stage door’ behind the dumpsters. Sure enough, at exactly 3.00 pm, a man steps right on out of the door.
“Mr Meyers?” I ask, politely.
“Sure, who’s askin’?” he says, looking vaguely irritated.
It’s all I need to know. Pulling the automatic from the hip pocket of my coat, I level it and squeeze off three rounds at the center of his chest. The noise is deafening. Anyone hearing it will look out and see a man in a dark hat and coat walking calmly away, dropping something from a gloved hand into a trash can. They will see nothing else. They sure as hell won’t see me slip back into my quiet life in my sleepy town, Midwest.
O ~ 0 ~ o ~
I wrote this flash four years ago for the Writers Unite! Facebook group. Not sure what made me think of it now, but I quite like this story.
Do you recognise where the idea for this story came from? Think gangster movies and there is a particular scene that is, like this one, all about a reluctant assassin. Only one part of the story is a reference to the film, not the whole thing. A little tip (V+ only) to the one who guesses correctly. Some clues to be found in comments below.
If you are unsure whether theft of a story line is a respectable source of ideas, you might like to read why I think it is, here:
About the Creator
Raymond G. Taylor
Author living in Kent, England. Writer of short stories and poems in a wide range of genres, forms and styles. A non-fiction writer for 40+ years. Subjects include art, history, science, business, law, and the human condition.
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Comments (4)
Great work on this one. It gives me a few ideas.
I did not see that ending coming . Nicely done !!!
Oooo, it'll be so cool if I was offered a job like that hehehehehe. Loved your story!
I can think of one reluctant assassin - John Wick. But something tells me it’s not the one you are referring to, right? Great story, Raymond.