(Author’s note: A month has gone by. Life has been crazy, the hours have not been consistent. Such is what happens when you have overtime, as well as multiple appointments for things like the dentist and the doctor. Thankfully things are getting a little more consistent, and should be more regular post-Halloween. Here’s today’s fictioneers!)
Steady On
by Miles H. Rost
“How can I help ya?”
“GYAH!”
Portia jumped back as an old man with unkempt hair popped up from behind a makeshift counter.
“Sorry for scaring ya, miss. What do ya need?”
“Are you Dr. Chambers?”
“I am.”
“I was sent over from the dean of the History Department.”
“Ah, have they decided on whether to approve my class schedule, and move me out of this dreary office?”
“Uh…”
“What is it?”
“You might want to read it.”
He took the note and opened it. His eyes moved like a typewriter.
“Lifetime Achievement Award?! The Bastards are they retiring me!”
Music and Fiction 
Tose whom the gods would destroy ….
It comes to us all, please go quitely.
Most do.
Yep, “Lifetime Achievement Award” does sound like a euphemism to me…
It pretty much is. Anyone who gets a “Lifetime Achievement Award” in any industry is being given their notice to retire.
Loved the last line!
He needs to put up a fight – against discrimination!! 🙂
But in this case, he’s just getting an award. He assumes he’s being turfed (and rightfully so), but until it happens… he can’t do much.
Well, dang! They could have at least told him in person!
No one has the courage to do it anymore…
Nice. 🙂 You know you’re shelved when they decide you’ve achieved enough for a lifetime. I enjoyed this one. Hope you’re doing well these days.
-David
Much too real. Well done.
I wonder how many zillions of people didn’t know they had outgrown their usefulness until they got this sort of letter!
And that’s how they do it. A lifetime of service that is rewarded without affection or a bit of appreciation. There’s a really good “Twilight Zone” episode about this topic and like how they handled it. YOU WORK TOO MUCH!
An interesting take on the prompt, thank you for sharing. I enjoyed it.