My friend Daniela gave me a “story inspiration slip” and told me to write a 500 words story. The slip said “Your office friend thinks he is a superhero. Everyone in the office knows but has to pretend they don’t know”. I don’t think I’ll win any prizes, but it was good for a giggle:
The bank’s office party is about to start. Several workers are chatting and sipping drinks. Others stand around awkwardly, eyeing the buffet. Music starts, but nobody wants to be the first to dance. Then Dave, The-Disco-Rave appears in the middle of the dance floor. Nobody sees him walk on. He’s just suddenly there, in his trademark pose: left leg straight, right leg forwards, one hand on hip, the other pointing up. He’s wearing an Afro wig, orange star-shaped glasses and open-necked white shirt revealing a huge medallion. Flowered flares and sparkly silver platform boots complete his outfit. Everyone knows it’s Dave from accounts, but he believes he’s unrecognisable with his disguise. He nods to the DJ who changes the track and Dave, The-Disco-Rave starts to wriggle and squirm his body in time to the music. The ice is broken; some join him on the dance floor, some help themselves to the buffet and everyone has a fabulous time.
Monday morning back at work, the office workers are still in good spirits reminiscing what a wonderful time they’d had. A few start to laugh about Dave, The-Disco-Rave. One particularly unpleasant worker mocks Dave and he starts to feel sad. As more people begin to laugh at him he becomes upset and angry. The atmosphere in the office begins to change. Everyone seems to be quarrelling. Dave storms downstairs and glares at the cashiers. They start arguing with each other, the customers start shouting at the cashiers and two customers even start fighting.
Just then armed robbers burst into the bank, but there is already such commotion that nobody notices them. The police run in screaming for everyone to lie down on the floor, but they’re not heard above the racket. Customers are pushing and shoving each other. One old lady is swinging her walking stick above her head.
Then, in the middle of all the chaos, appears Dave, The-Disco-Rave in his trademark pose: left leg straight, right leg forwards, one hand on hip, the other pointing up. He’s wearing an Afro wig, orange star-shaped glasses and open-necked white shirt revealing a huge medallion. Flowered flares and sparkly silver platform boots complete his outfit.
A man notices him and stops to stare, with his fist still bunched up ready to hit the man next to him. One by one, everyone stops, turns and stares at Dave, The-Disco-Rave. The crowd stand in stunned silence, then quietly at first, but quickly growing louder, a disco beat can be heard. Dave, The-Disco-Rave starts to wriggle and squirm his body in time to the music. The spectators start to tap their hands, then they start to move their feet. One by one, without knowing what they’re doing, they begin to dance to the rhythm of the music. The robbers twirl their guns above their heads, before sliding them harmlessly across the floor. Their bodies are jiving, although their faces still wear stunned expressions. They conga out of the door, and straight into the waiting police vans.
Rachel Coverdale 