Challenge No.36 - Well, That Was Embarrassing!
Write a scene or story that explores your character's most embarrassing moment.
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Except for those at the table, few others knew what caused the outburst, Fran was not known for her loss of control, but there's always a first time.
It was Christmas and the usual seasonal spirit permeated the office and by extension the country. The annual Christmas party was on schedule and Fran, like the rest of her colleagues, was looking forward to it. She was the senior financial manager at Interisland Tech, a multimillion-dollar company based on the Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia. She was small, demur and a lover of Christmas, to the point that she headed the Christmas planning committee.
Everyone said that the planning committee had done an excellent job. They truly had, they had spent the day hanging decorations, double-checking the bar and consulting with the Chef.
There was always a theme and this year they'd decided on Santa and his family. So, the place was full of Santas, Mrs Santas, a wide variety of elves, even a reindeer or two.
The dinner and dance was in full swing so only the folks at the table were witnesses to the beginning.
"Which one is it?" Jerry asked softly.
"What are you on about?" Fran replied.
"You're sleeping with one of them. I want to know who."
"You've had too much to drink." She looked around the table. They all felt awkward.
"WHICH ONE!" Jerry roared.
"Jerry please."
"WHICH!"
"Hey man, settle down." A man said.
"Is that why you came?" Fran's voice rose with the demand.
"Who you think you're talking to!"
People at the other tables began to notice.
"Come on, guys. People are noticing." This time a woman intervened.
"Ah! Maybe you're having an affair with a woman! How about that!"
"Control yourself," Fran said.
"Who you think you're talking to!" Jerry repeated.
"You! I've had it!" Fran banged her fists on the table making the cutlery jump.
People on the dance floor began to notice.
Just when it couldn't get any more awkward or embarrassing, a security detail showed up and escorted both Fran and Jerry out of the party and off the property.
An awkward silence descended on the gathering.
"Play something." Someone hissed to the DJ. The music restarted, people began to thaw and the party slowly began to restart.
At the table, the witnesses with the front row seat were still stunned.
"Wow." A woman said.
"Shame." Another sympathized.
"I've never known Fran to get annoyed over anything." A man said.
"It's always the ones closest to you that know what buttons to push." His partner replied.
"You think she'll be alright?" The first woman was concerned.
"She'll be fine. She may be small but she's a bundle of dynamite. I'd sooner fear for Jerry."
"Well, that was awkward." A third man pronounced.
© 5 April 2022
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