Job satisfaction

PHOTO PROMPT © Ronda Del Boccio

Andersen found mowing the lawn unexpectedly therapeutic. At first he loathed it. Now he found it strangely satisfying to see it cleanly cut. A car pulled up at the house opposite. A tall man emerged. Andersen smiled, waved at his neighbour. It had only been a few months but he knew him so well already.

He waited till he closed his front door. Then Andersen lit a cigarette, eyeing the plumbing van on the street.

Swat teams emerged in stealth mode from the van, surrounding his neighbour’s house.

Oh yes, Andersen loved the satisfaction of a job well done.

99 words

Grass to marijuana to drugs to human trafficking or other crime syndicates. That was my thought process for an undercover agent story 😉

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Write a story in 100 words or less.

Click the blue frog to read more flash fiction.

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Responses

  1. neilmacdon avatar
    neilmacdon

    And he doesn’t feel even a qualm of guilt for deceiving his neighbour?

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    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Should he? He was spying on his neighbor who was part of a crime syndicate. Deception is part of it. Andersen loves his job, I guess.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. neilmacdon avatar
        neilmacdon

        It would make him more interesting if he did

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Susan A Eames avatar
    Susan A Eames

    Ah, I wasn’t expecting that. Nicely done, Fatima. 🙂

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, Susan.

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  3. pennygadd51 avatar
    pennygadd51

    I really enjoyed your story. The reveal was great, telling us so much more about the relationship between the neighbours, but also tying into Andersen’s satisfaction at mowing the lawn well. In fact that prompts me to stick my neck out and contradict Neil. You’ve firmly established that Andersen’s motivation is that of ‘a job well done’. To give him qualms of guilt about deceiving his neighbour would weaken your depiction of Andersen’s motivation.

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    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      I understand where Neil is coming from. The complexity makes it more interesting. However it would be out of character for Andersen. I had pictured him systematic, bordering on OCD. Which you picked up in the satisfaction he gets from mowing a lawn, an activity he used to spy on his neighbour. He likes things orderly and neat. And yes, succeeding at what he does. Thank you, Penny for your insight.

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  4. Keith's Ramblings avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    Seems he had the perfect day. A delightfully different take.

    Click to visit Keith’s Ramblings!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, Keith

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. anuragbakhshi avatar
    anuragbakhshi

    Oooh, a neat little thriller.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. granonine avatar
    granonine

    He knew his neighbor well, but that doesn’t indicate a friendship. Just a lot of careful, systematic watching. A novel take on the prompt, well done.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      That is exactly how it was! So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.

      Like

      Reply
  7. rochellewisoff avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Fatima,

    I love the satisfaction Anderson gets from a job well done. You brought him to life with few words. Unique take on the prompt. Applause!

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      That was so encouraging, Rochelle. Thank you!

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  8. Jennifer Kennedy avatar
    Jennifer Kennedy

    It seems Anderson is meticulous in all his jobs! Great story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Yes, he is almost OCD about it.

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  9. Dale avatar
    Dale

    From grass to… grass 😉
    Well done, Fatima.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Ha ha yes! Thanks for reading, Dale.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. jillyfunnell avatar
    jillyfunnell

    It’s great when a plan comes together. I sense Anderson had worked several months on this stakeout so now he’d soon be able to take a week or two of well-earned rest.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      It was a stakeout, undercover work to get close to a centre figure in the crime syndicate. I doubt Andersen would take leave 😉

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  11. Dahlia avatar
    Dahlia

    A unique take on the prompt Fatima and very neatly executed. Kudos!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, Dahlia

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Inside the Mind of Isadora avatar
    Inside the Mind of Isadora

    Your story is laid out so well. I like the different scenarios throughout.
    The ending is perfect. A very different take on the prompt, Fatima. Bravo ..!!!
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, Isadora. Really glad you could appreciate it!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. gahlearner avatar
    gahlearner

    I love how you mirror the job satisfaction of a lawn well tended to the undercover job done successfully.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thrilled you picked that up. Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Mike avatar
    Mike

    I never knew mowing the grass could be such fun.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Neither did I! 😉

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      Reply
  15. lisarey1990 avatar
    lisarey1990

    Intriguing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Fatima Fakier avatar
      Fatima Fakier

      Thank you, Lisa 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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