So, I couldn't resist this. The team take up the challenge during a quick break...

Where There is No Vision


*The Bullpen*

D stood in the doorway, surveying the team as they worked. Lucy was busy: taking a phone call, typing in information and searching files all at once. Over at Sue’s desk, the analyst was glued to her monitor, gleaning information concerning a surveillance tape acquired only that morning. Jack was humming tunelessly while filling out report forms. The dueling duo were by turns tossing paper and witticisms, Bobby lobbing the former and Myles, the latter. Sounds of keys clicking meant Tara was fast at work on something computer-related.

The acting supervisor sighed, a slight smile on his face. It was nice to see them doing regular busy work, rather than trying to figure out who was next on the terrorist list or some other less-than-pleasant chore. He turned and walked back to his office, content.

Tara peeked over her monitor, amber eyes alight with mischief. “Okay, guys. He’s gone.”

Everyone looked up, even Sue, who had not been as glued to the video as D thought.

“So, what is this challenge?” Myles inquired.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

A low whistle sounded.

Bobby frowned. “That’s rather heavy, isn’t it?”

“Well, you can write it any way you want. Comedy, mystery, drama, action.” The computer whiz jotted the axiom on the white board. “So, let’s take ten minutes to come up with whatever idea you can. It will stretch our minds...sort of think outside the box.”



Paper rustled, keys clacked, heads bent low. Everyone took to the task, trying to come up with an idea that would be different from the others. Finally, Tara signaled time was up.

“Did everyone do theirs on paper?” A few heads shook ‘no’. “I tell you what, go ahead and print it out. I’ll gather them up and shuffle. We’ll read them and then guess who wrote what.”



A few more minutes with the printer humming madly as it zipped out the literary masterpieces. Tara collected them and leaned on her desk.

“Story number one: In a world filled with people, they met in at the right time, in the right place, only to be condemned to certain failure by rules that could not be broken. Beautiful Teresa met dashing Riordan but their love was to be denied. Doomed by rules that could not possibly apply to them, they slow pined for each other till they died...”

“Wow.” Sue looked rather abashed due to the looks Lucy was shooting at her. “That seemed rather...tragic.”

“I’ll guess Lucy wrote it then.”

“Bobby! If I wrote that, it would have a happy ending.” The rotor was perplexed. Someone had taken her storyline and twisted it to be...sad.

Tara grinned. “Anyone else want to guess?”

“I, too, would have guessed Lucy.” Myles leaned back in his chair, arms behind his head. “She’s always trying to play matchmaker.”

Her glance would have melted ice, but the blond agent merely smiled.

“If it wasn’t Luce, then who was it?” Jack looked around. No one owned up to it.

Tara sighed. “We’ll read the next one, and come back to this. Number two: The office was hot and steamy, and not due to the AC being on the fritz. Shelley was trying to keep her cool but when Justin looked her way, it was all she could do not to melt. Those eyes, those dreamy caramel eyes just swallowed her up.

Justin loostened his collar. What was it about Shelley? The way she bit the tip of her finger when she thought about things, the way she would gaze into his eyes as if he were the only one there...”

“Oh, please ” Jack rolled his eyes. “Who reads this stuff? It sounds like a soap opera.”

“Excuse me, I’ve seen the way you look at...” Lucy trailed off, realizing just how much trouble she could get herself into if she kept speaking.

Sue stepped over and pulled her aside, whispering quite low, so she thought. “I have told you many times, that I am not interested in Jack. He’s quite taken with his job and besides, I think you actually have a crush on him.”

Blushing madly, Lucy pulled Sue further away. “I told you that I didn’t. How could you say that here and now?”

“How could you write that Shelley stuff?”

“It wasn’t about you–“

“Ladies–“ Tara called from across the room. When both looked up, she motioned for them to return. “It’s only a story.”

They nodded miserably, shooting glances at each other.

“So, I’m guessing Lucy wrote that piece.”

“Ya think?”

“Story three: It was sudden death overtime. The People’s team was against the World’s team and the last seconds were ticking. The puck dropped, Letinin smacked it and it hit the ref in the head. He fell, eyes closed, missing the low sticking block that allowed the center for the World’s team to shoot undeterred...”

“Jack!” “Sparky!” “Really, Hudson.” “Jack!”

“Hey! How’d you know?” He raised his hands in defense.

“Hello? Hockey?”

“No-brainer there, mate.”

“Guilty as charged.”

“Story four: Evil men kidnap a brother, set up for the snatch by his own blood. He survives, lives and works hard to make it as his identity. Tragedy strikes as some one frames him. In prison, he finds solace and works to clear his name, trusting that the One who created all things would keep him safe.”

“I’d guess Myles.”

The tall, blonde stood and bowed. “Thank you, but no, alas, I cannot take credit.” He returned to his seat.

Jack frowned. “It sounds sort of familiar.”

“It does. Like...like..”

Lucy chimed in. “Sunday school?”

“Yes!” Tara grinned. “I’ll guess Sue.”

YES came the response.

“So, that makes three out of four identified with two left to read and one unknown author.” Jack made a quick set of scribbles on the white board, indicating the ‘score.’

Tara cleared her voice. “Story five: In the rugby playoffs—“

“Manning!” “Bobby!” came the unanimous chorus.

“Wait, you didn’t even let her get to the good parts,” the Aussie cried.

“Oh, please, spare the details.” Myles raised a pointed brow.

Sue approached the white board. “That leaves one unread story and two authors to hash out.”

With a flick of the wrist, Lucy took the last unread story. “Ahem, story six: is blank?” She gave a somewhat surprised look.

The computer whiz ducked her head, cheeks flaming. “I was so busy trying to narrow down an idea, I didn’t write anything...”

Bobby threw a crumpled paper wad at her. “Boo.”

She shrugged. “I guess that means Myles is the only one left.”

Lucy rounded on him. “You! You stole my idea!”

“Moi? I had no idea what you would come up with.”

“Yes, you did! Some how, you peeked.”

“I most certainly did not! I wouldn’t stoop to such a low. Besides, everyone knows interoffice relationships are a no-no. I simply chose a more realistic course of action.”

“With them pining for each other? Right!”

“It worked for Romeo and Juliet.”

“But you aren’t Shakespeare ”

“I thought I did rather well....”

“Excuse me? What is going on here?”

“HE–“

“She–“

“We—“

D grabbed the stack of stories. “Where there is no vision, the people perish ?” He smacked a hand to his head. “And I thought Tanya was bad. This is more like, For lack of supervision, the people head down bunny trails and get lost...”

He blinked a few times as he read the summaries, careful to keep his face straight. The team knew it could go either way. When D sighed, they sighed. “Please, now that you have it out of your system, get back to work. Or do I need to send Randy? He could prove the lack of vision/perishing thing for you.”

“Oh, no.” “On it.” “Right away.” “Yes, sir.”

Out in the hall, he peeked back, seeing them busy once again. He rolled his eyes and smiled. Tanya was gonna love this.

The End

loved it

cath

Thanks trecebo! You brought laughter to my not so happy day!

I loved it too.
thanks,
Terie

D. has such great leadership skills! That was fun Trece.

Fun, fun! they should play this game everytime they have too much paper work!

Great story! Loved it! Thanks for sharing!

Cute story. But, D I would not give Tanya any ideas

Dianna

You snuck this one in!!!!!!!!!! Two funny!!!! And D shouldn't have given them such a hard time. It was just creative team building.
kav

very cute!.....loved the idea....and D's thoughts

This is a great idea, Trece!! You have all the characters down pat!! And, as always, I love the bantering!!!

Thanks for sharing!!!

Joy

lol so cute