End of the Beginning

Today marks the last day of the beginning month of the 2024 Story-a-Day Challenge. I don't know if I can pull off 366 days (including February 29), but I'm pretty pumped that — with today's — I've conquered a whole month. Thus, this ends the first month.

So, it seems appropriate to use some colorful, metaphoric imagery to celebrate. As such, herein I invoke beginnings and endings, with a little middle sprinkled in between. For every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Except cliffhangers. And this ain't no exception, since it ain't no cliffhanger.

THE BEGINNING

He and his partner, Reese, had done their homework. No one home, so the breaking and entering would go smooth. But as soon as they were "in," he felt funny.

THE MIDDLE

"Reese," he said. "Something's not right."

"What's not right. We cased it. No cameras. A safe. Cash. Jewels."

"I know. And I know there're no cameras. Shit, they even have landlines. But something's wrong, I'm tellin' ya."

"And what might that be? 'Cause I feel pretty good about it. Now, where was that safe you said?"

"In the walk-in closet, in the wall behind the clothes all hanging. But I tell ya, I got a feelin' we're being watched. I'm not feeling right about this right now. Maybe we should leave, ya think? No harm, no foul, right? It would be third strike for both of us. Maybe we should think this over and get out while we can."

"We're almost done. Gettin' in was the hard part. Finish it through and don't be some psychic pussy." Just then, the phone rang. He and Reese looked at each other.

The phone kept ringing.

"You gonna get that, Reese?"

Reese slapped him on the back of his head. "That's a joke, right?"

"No. Answer it."

"You answer it." The ringing continued. The obnoxious ol' Ma Bell ring.

"Watch this!" Reese said, angrily. He walked over to the phone and snatched the receiver.

THE END?

"Hullo," he said tenously. He went white; he looked at his partner. "It's for you."

Reese's partner in crime was named Cliff, and I prefer to leave him hanging.