June 10, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a new way to office. Has the office changed? Can we return to normal after big changes or time away? Go where the prompt leads!
Push The Button – by Hugh W. Roberts
Sitting on a cloud surrounded by harp-playing cherubs wasn’t quite the ‘new way to office’ Stella was expecting.
“Don’t push any of those extra buttons on your desk until I get back,” said her unique boss. “I’m off to get my beard trimmed.”
All but one button was marked. ‘Coronavirus, Heatwave, Flash-flooding.’ But what would the unmarked button do if pushed?
Not resisting temptation, Stella started slowly descending after pushing the unnamed button.
“Welcome back to your old office,” cackled a horned figure beset by fire. “The “Master said you wouldn’t last long working in those new office surroundings.”
***
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.
Click on the ‘Diversity With A Twist’ image to read my post ‘How To Write Yourself Into A Piece Of Fiction Without Knowing It’ on my new column at the Carrot Ranch
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Hugh's Views & News 
Ah, the irresistible button! Great story. I liked the different take that you had on the prompt.
Thank you, Nicole. I always try and think ‘out of the box’ when I tackle these challenges.
Note to self: on that eventual day do NOT push any buttons without permission! Loved this one!
Thanks, Michael. Glad you enjoyed my take on the prompt.
Haha! So good.
Thank you.
You’re welcome
Wickedly funny, Hugh! It’s so hard to resist curiosity.
It is, Charli. Sometimes, temptation takes complete control of us.
Lol, I loved this! Straight to hell! 🙂 xx
And never wants to leave ever again.
Lol xx
Oh dear. Stella didn’t remain a star for long. ‘They’ used to say ‘curiosity killed the cat’. Seems like it extinguishes the stars also.
Good one, Hugh.
Thanks, Norah. I think Stella is back where she is happiest.
Good luck to her then. 🙂
“You had one job…ONE.”
Test designed to get to the root of Stella’s temptation. Ha!!
I think she passed the test with flying colours.
Now I’m curious as to what the button really was, other than the one-way ticket to hell, LOL, being grouped with such sources of disasters! A great response to the prompt but I think there is more to the story, Hugh! I’m getting cynical in my old age 😉
More? Well, I think Stella’s story ended here, Terri. I think she was tempted to see what the world was like again since she left it the first time. Now she’s back home where she really belongs and is at her happiness.
You always lose when you fiddle with the forbidden fruit and buttons!
As Stella found out. But I think she’s back home, Geoff.
I’ll bet she’s sorry about pushing that button now! A fun story, Hugh.
I’m sure she is, Diana. But I got a feeling she’s gone back to her old job – where she was much happier.
Brilliant, Hugh! Curiosity kills the cat. Would you have pressed the button?
Thanks, Liesbet. Knowing my ‘will’ power, I would have waited and asked the boss. What about you?
That’s a toughie… I am curious and love a bit of adventure. But, I’m not stupid. In this situation, I would have done the same as you. Ask the boss what the button was for. But, I have a feeling he would not reveal it. And then what? Sigh.