I’m still using Voice to write for this post. I’m going to try to do a Holly Jahangiri post on Sunday but we’ll see how that goes.
Steffie’s First Mission
Late spring, and San Antonio was beautiful. Like the hero of Zombieland, Steffie was a loner and part of a family that had never been much attached to each other. Four years at a temp agency had put her through two years of Business School and paid for a week in San Antonio before she decided what job offer to take. Working for a temp agency was like being paid to network and Steffie liked that a lot.
San Antonio’s missions were beautiful, although she had lost track of which one she was visiting at the moment.
Tourists had been sparse that day — which was how Steffie liked it — so she was a bit irritated when she heard a couple arguing up ahead, on the other side of a stone arch. Their voices were low but intense and Steffie had exceptional hearing.
“I won’t betray America,” the woman said. “I don’t care what you offer.”
“How about your mother’s life?” the man said. “Is that a high enough payment?”
The women’s expression must have said that it was, because the man chuckled softly and said, “Good. We’ll contact you with details.”
Quick steps faded into the distance.
Steffie was frozen in shock by what she had just heard.
A tall husky man stepped into the archway, stopping when he saw Steffie.

Steffie smiled innocently, said, “Hi!” and stepped aside for him to pass.
He didn’t smile back. With an almost imperceptible movement, he flicked open the dome of what seemed to be a class ring.
Steffie didn’t know what was in it but she knew she wanted no part of it. As he approached, she kicked him where it would do the most good and he went down. She knew she should run but another impulse took over. She lifted his hand. The ring contained a tiny needle which she pressed to a throbbing vein in his throat.
His moaning stopped. His body relaxed.
A shorter, slimmer man stepped into the opening beneath the arch. “Doing my job for me,” he said. He held out an open hand. Instinctively, Steffie took it and shook it.
“I’ll take care of this,” Pete said, nodding to the body on the ground. “Enjoy the rest of your day. We’ll be in touch. Your country thanks you, not to mention a certain government clerk and her mother.”
She stepped over the corpse and, without a glance behind, continued her self-guided tour. It sounded as if she would soon have another job offer, one she thought she would probably take.
MY PROMPT: One of my first Thursday Doors photos
Brenda
May 26, 2023 at 11:15pmGood for Steffie! She saved the day. Wonderful story in so few words.
Marian Allen
May 28, 2023 at 8:16amI love flash fiction and near-flash fiction.
Marsha
May 12, 2023 at 11:06pmFast-thinking Steffie didn’t take long to take care of that problem. She must have a Wonder Woman suit under her clothes. π Great story.
Marian Allen
May 14, 2023 at 9:17amSteffie is never stumped. π
Marsha
May 14, 2023 at 8:42pmHaha/ good thing sheβs not a tree!
Marian Allen
May 15, 2023 at 12:51pmIt sure is
Marsha
May 20, 2023 at 5:46pmπ
Patricia Furstenberg
May 11, 2023 at 1:26amBrilliant! Great story π Loved Steffie.
Teagan Riordain Geneviene
May 8, 2023 at 3:20pmHi, Marian. It was fun to see how Steffie got her start. I’m glad you’re able to make some use of technology to write. I realize it’s still a big challenge. Be good to you. Hugs.
Marian Allen
May 11, 2023 at 8:52amSadly, I still can’t type so I’m very grateful for technology at the moment.
acflory
May 5, 2023 at 6:25pmlol – nice one, and welcome back!
Marian Allen
May 6, 2023 at 11:49amThanks. I couldn’t do it without Write by voice.
John Hric
May 5, 2023 at 8:07amSteffie’s story has a certain ring to it. A nice one. And she did some good that day. Three times depending on how one counts.
Marian Allen
May 6, 2023 at 11:47amSteffie aims to please….
Dan Antion
May 4, 2023 at 6:29pmMarian, thank you so much for a Steffie story, especially under the circumstances. I had resigned myself to not having one to read, or not having one until July. You’ve made my day!
I hope you can handle the Holly Jahangiri post (I love those, too), but this was a very special treat.
Marian Allen
May 6, 2023 at 11:46amI’m glad you liked the story Dan. I just scheduled a Holly story. I hope I’ll actually be able to type by the end of the month, but we’ll see.
Pierre
May 4, 2023 at 9:05amYayayayay! Steffie is Baaack! Good story.
Marian Allen
May 4, 2023 at 10:52amPete! Always good to see you!