Monthly Writing Workshop Shorts (#3)

September - Your Local Library

Sanctuary Rock Public Library

High Street Branch

Daniel Smith, Branch Manager

You may have heard about the line of severe thunderstorms that hit in the middle of the night. Damage to trees and power lines has left many neighborhoods across San-Rock City in the dark. However, thanks to our backup generator, High Street remains fully functional and ready to serve. With no estimated time of restoration, patrons have lined up at our doorstep to charge their devices and find a bit of refuge. While I...know it may be rough...wow, that's a lot of people...I'm certain my staff is prepared and will welcome everyone in with a warm smile, because in times of need, the community knows it can count on its public library.

***

Ophie Drowns, Adult Services Librarian

The incessant tapping of keyboard warriors at work. Alerts pinging from dead phones revived. Wild chatter across the main floor and cries of mischievous youth off in the playful room beyond. I can barely concentrate, let alone catch a breath at my already cramped desk ringing off the hook. My head vibrates like a tuning fork! When will this end? Will it? What have I done to deserve this? I'm just begging the aliens to come and whisk me back to my home planet. They're real, you know. Perhaps they're here. Watching. Waiting. If you are...I beg of you, help!

***

Bradley Wells, Page

Man, this is nuts. Prof. Trelawney over there looks like she's having a panic attack. Poor Ophie. Poor me, too. Um, sir, where can I plug in my laptop? Um, I don't know! How about up your ass? If it's not patrons, it's Kylie the librarian. Bradley, get another table. Bradley, bring in more chairs. Bradley, do this. Bradley, do that. Chairs. Tables. Chairs. Nyah, nyah! Like, chill out, man! Damn! Why me? What about you? Why can't Kylie help? And these fools want raises? What about us? What about Elliot? Where is he? I'm not the only lackey, you know.

***

Elliot Miles, Page/Branch Services Clerk Sub

Oh, Mr. Wells...I had trained you better than this. I'd love to join the fun, but I think I'll stick to watching you run around from my little corner of the stacks. Besides, I'm into this graphic novel. Chloe Wishmere just met the evil entity of the boarding school. Anyway, pace yourself, Mr. Wells. As Ophie says, we can only do what we can, hm? I'm checking these pages for any tears or stains. What kind of five-star library system would we be if we kept ratty materials sitting on the shelves? Maybe next time you'll listen when I say...hide!

***

Tessa Ames, Branch Services Clerk

Oh. My. God! This is insane, but...I kind of love it! Like, that one dude brought his doggo in. That's a big nope, but his labradoodle is so adorbs! Is he single? My current boyfriend hates dogs. Ooh! And, like, that girl camping by the fireplace? She's been blasting this Julian pod all morning. He's been going on about this "Birds Aren't Real" thing. Like, what? I've been trying to listen in, but people keep needing me at the copiers. Instructions are on the board! It's a library! Just read! It doesn't help that someone parked their Inogen machine in the aisle. Real considerate, grandma! I almost kicked it when I...ugh. One sec...

***

Linda Rodriguez, Patron

I'm so grateful the library is open today! It's crazy in here, but we're all in the same boat, yeah? Schools are closed, so my boys are home, but I've got work to do. It's nice they have a safe place to...Evan...I told him we share toys! The librarians are so patient. He and Alex can be a handful. Anyway, I'm glad I found a spot to keep my laptop running. I need to get back to my two clients by Friday. Unless, of course, the power isn't back on by then. Better to be safe than sorry, right? Thanks, SRPL! You guys are lifesavers!