Jump (2nd Place) (Editor Pick)

Tim stepped onto the elevator and pressed the button for the roof. Another one. How did I get this job again? The elevator lurched. The pull on his empty stomach made him queasy.

The doors opened and a gush of hot wind smacked his face. Heat waves radiated off the black-topped roof, warping the air. A chimney with a few missing bricks jutted out of the old building. A man tottered on the edge peering down at the street.

Tim took a few steps forward and heard the doors mechanically clunk behind him

“Hello. Nice weather we’re having.”

“Don’t try to stop me. You a cop?”

“Yes. I’m a negotiator.”

“A shrink?”

“No, not exactly.” Tim took a few steps toward him.

“Don’t come any closer.”

“Look. It can’t be that bad. Mind if I sit on the ledge there?”

“Ok. Not too close though.”

Tim strolled over and sat down. He examined the man. Nice white dress shirt, suit pants, fancy leather black belt. The guy stood six foot, and had flowing blond hair that rippled in the wind.

“Hot up here.”

“Have the TV cameras arrived?”

“Yeah. They’re down there. Just waiting for a splat. If you want to help them out, you need to jump now to get on the six o’clock news. It’s just before five now. They’d just have time.”

“What kind of negotiator are you?”

“A realistic one. You’ve got money. Must be a woman problem.”

“No.”

“What’s so bad that you’d want to kill yourself then?”

“Nothing. I’m just hoping for some free publicity. I’m an actor. My play starts on Friday and with this plastered all over the news…”

Now I’ve heard everything. Tim shook his head, thought briefly of shoving the guy off, and walked back to the elevator.


300 Words
Flash Story Must contain the line: "Don’t try to stop me."

Editor's Pick Comedy NL 8/12/15