Donkey carts going to market, Gansu, China (Photo: M. Griffiths)
One of my stories - 'Tell Him He's Dreaming' - got 5th place in the New Zealand Writers College short story competition.
You can read the top 5 stories here:
http://www.nzwriterscollege.co.nz/2014+NZ+Writers+College+Short+Story+Competition.html
The judges comments are interesting. Getting all five judges to agree on any of the stories seems nearly impossible!
Enjoy.
(Part 2)
Distraction
“You have a very good C.V. Mr Greenwood. Many projects and experience in several countries and here in China too.”
“Yes, that’s right. I
was in Africa for one year working on a community development project, did some
volunteer work in Sri Lanka and I’ve worked on several volunteer projects here
too.”
The interviewer nodded.
Then he curled his lips into a smile. “There is just one small problem.”
Justin Greenwood shifted uncomfortably
in his seat. “Oh?”
“Yes. Most of our company’s
projects are world Bank or Asian development Bank funded. You need World Bank
or ADB project experience before you can get on a project team.”
“But how can I get project experience
if I can’t get a job on a project?”
“I’m sorry, it’s a World
bank requirement.”
“Couldn’t I get on a
team a junior team member working under more experienced people? A team leader
told me once that might be possible, but that particular project never came
through.”
“I’m sorry we can’t do
that. We are a reputable development consulting company and we must obey the
rules.”
“But the rules are
impossible. How do I get World Bank experience if I can’t get on a World Bank
project?”
“I understand it is very
difficult. I wish you good luck.”
I
thought Catch 22 was just a story.
“Your organisation does
great work in environmental protection and community development. That’s really
what I want to do, you know, make a difference.”
The HR manager nodded
and smiled. “Yes. We have several foreigners working here as well as many local
staff. Your skills would be useful. Have you applied for any of the jobs on the
website?”
“Yes, several, but no luck
so far.” He managed a brave smile. “I was hoping that by meeting with I might
find out more about which areas of your work I might be best suited to
contribute to.” And get my foot in the
door somehow.
“Certainly. Let me tell
you about what we do…”
After all the
explanations and questions had been exhausted one more question popped into his
mind, something that had nagged at him when he was scouring the job ads online.
“Can I ask how much foreigners get paid here? The job ads don’t indicate the
salary.”
“Ah well.” the man looked
nervously at the shadows moving past the glass wall of the meeting room. “That
is rather sensitive. I wouldn’t want the local staff to overhear. I’m sure you
understand.” He stood up. “Let me get some information to take with you. I
encourage you to keep looking at our website and good luck for your future
applications.”
Three minutes later he
found himself in the lobby with an armful of brochures, but no answer to his
question. And no job.
He shook his head. What did I say that was so bad? Surely the salary
level can’t be that sensitive? Or is it just really low here?
She was tall and slim,
with fine features of indeterminate ethic origin. Her skin was light brown.
Small breasts in a smooth bra pressed against the fine wool of her tight
sweater. She extended her hand.
“Justin, I’m sorry, our
manager is not available this morning after all. He asked me to speak to you.
I’m Kara. Please follow me.”
She let go of his hand,
turned and walked towards the open door of a meeting room. Her jeans clung to
her long legs like a layer of blue skin. Her small bottom and slender hips swayed
slightly as she walked, his eyes riveted by the movement.
God
she’s sexy.
She stopped and waved in
through the door. He smiled and she returned the favour, her perfect teeth
several shades whiter than his.
He pinched himself: Get a grip man.
She went through the
structure of the company and their main types of work. A bit different than he
had expected from reading the website. More infrastructure focussed. He
wondered if there was much chance of work here after all. Looks like yet another bust.
He reiterated what his
experience and what kind of work he was hoping to get. Then, to avoid having to
leave, began to stray off topic. “How long have you been in China?” he asked.
“Only a few months. I
was transferred over from head office.”
“What do you think of
it?”
He looked at her face as
she spoke. She had hint of youthful acne which only served to increase her
beauty. The more she talked the more he realised they shared quite a lot in
common. His job hunting objective faded into the background.
“There are so many great
restaurants here.” he said.
“Yes. I know. What’s
your favourite?”
“There are so many! And so many great dishes to choose from. I
still haven’t worked whether my favourite is Beijing roast duck, that pork dish
Hong xiao rou, or eggplant with
tomato and capsicum. Or maybe tang yuan,
the sweet little things they eat at New Year. It’s so hard to choose!”
She laughed. He blushed.
Even her laugh is beautiful.
He smiled and looked her
in the eye. Maybe I should just ask…He
took a breath. “Umm, completely separate from this…” he waved his hand vaguely
at the building, “ if you don’t have any
plans tonight, would you like to have dinner?”
Her eyebrows rose a
little and she paused, looking at him with amusement. “Well, I don’t have any
plans…”
A knock at the door interrupted them.
“Sorry to interrupt Kara.
They told me you were in here.” He glanced briefly at Justin. “Hey mate.” He
shifted his attention back to Kara without waiting for a response. “A few of the guys and their partners are
going to book a restaurant for tonight, do you want to join them? We need to
tell them ASAP or we’ll miss out.”
She nodded. ‘Ok, sure.”
The door clicked shut and she turned back to Justin. “Sorry, it looks like I
have plans after all.” She saw his puzzled expression. “That’s my boyfriend.
He’s an engineer here. We only just…we’re only in the early stages.”
“Oh.”
“Well. I suppose I
should get back to work. It was lovely meeting you.” She stood up and escorted
him to the lobby. “Good luck for your job hunting. We’ll keep your C.V on
file.”
“Thanks. Enjoy your time
in Beijing.”
“I will. You too.”
Yeah.
In my dreams. Maybe this is all just a waste of time.
********
Read Under Development - (Part 1) Frustration, here.
Tell me what you think. Constructive comments welcome.
If you like the story share with it with your friends.
If you like the story share with it with your friends.
********
MORE STORIES....
My Crazy China Trip - (Humour) A novice traveller gets more than he bargains for during 15 days in China. (10 Parts)
Love at First Flight - A foreign teacher arrives in China and falls in love with a local, but the path of true love is anything but smooth. (5 parts)
Trial by Fire - When a woman in Tibet self-immolates two witnesses face a dangerous dilemma. (4 parts)
Arrested Development - A development consultant in China finds life getting out of control. [Rated R] SHORTLISTED for the Lord Grimdark Award. See the list here.
Beijing Private Eyes - Drama, Romance, Karaoke, Kidnap! A foreign teacher in Beijing meets an attractive stranger and offers to help, then things get complicated. (A long story in 8 parts)
Tell him he's dreaming - An engineer has an environmental epiphany but things don't work out as planned. SHORTLISTED for the New Zealand Writers College Short Story competition. See the list here.
Entries in the post-industrial / peak oil short story competition:
My story 'Promised Land' has been selected for the forthcoming anthology "After Oil 2: The Years of Crisis". You can read the other entries here.
A previous set of stories was published in 2012 in a book entitled After Oil: SF Visions of a Post-Petroleum World, available from Amazon (Amazon) or in Australia from Fishpond (Fishpond).
Stories set in China:
Winds of Change – In 2022 a migrant worker struggles to realise his dreams and fulfil his family obligations.
Outside In – It's 2050, the country and economy have changed. A recycler studies for an exam to improve his prospects, and an indentured servant plans her escape.
Seeds of Time – (Sequel to Outside In). In 2055 rural China prospers again after a period of dramatic changes, then things are complicated by a strange visitor and a hidden object.
Stories set in Australia: A North Queensland Trilogy
Robots on Mars – 2025. A space-mad city boy adjusts to life in the country and tries to solve a mystery. (Note: no actual robots or Martians involved)
Promised Land – (Sequel to Robots on Mars). It’s 2050 and development threatens the rural district. Is it what they really need and if not, how can they stop it?
Heart of Glass - (Sequel to Promised Land). The year is 2099, high school graduates prepare to step into adulthood and the community prepares to celebrate the turn of a new century.
Tell me what you think. Constructive comments welcome.
If you like the story share with it with your friends.
Tell me what you think. Constructive comments welcome.
If you like the story share with it with your friends.
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