“Hello, Mrs. Sansmark?”
“Yes, Hi! My name is Travis, and I’m calling you about the account balance on your credit card.”
“Yes, yes I’m aware you have been laid off and money is tight. So, how much can you pay per month?”
“I understand. Sometimes you have to choose what is important to you.”
“You’re welcome. Being understanding is my job. By the way, how is little Ashley? She seems very quiet today, doesn’t she?”
“Don’t bother calling her, Mrs. Sansmark. Instead you just go to the front door. See that little envelope? Why don’t you open it?”
“Now, calm down Mrs. Sansmark. Screaming isn’t going to regrow your daughter’s finger.”
“I’m the monster? Who’s the one who is refusing to pay her debts?”
“Well, you can call the police if you like. But if you do we’ll kill little Ashley. Would you like that, Mrs. Sansmark?”
“Good. Now listen. You will pay us back the debt. You will pay it by the end of the day. I don’t care what you have to sell or who you have to kill, but you will give us what is ours. Do you understand? Do you understand?”
“Good. Now, we’ll expect payment within three days. If we don’t see it in our post office box we’ll kill your little girl. Okay?”
“No, you’re responsible for it getting there on time. You can’t blame the post office for all of your troubles. Your kind always blames others for their misfortune. Look at this as a lesson in responsibility. Do you have any other questions?”
“Well, thank you Mrs. Sansmark. I look forward to receiving your payment. Would you like to take a brief customer survey?”
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©2010 Chris Gottschalk
Chris Gottschalk is a freelance writer in northeast Iowa. He’s an avid reader, gamer and anime watcher who enjoys working out and practicing martial arts in his rapidly shrinking free time. His second book, How to Heal After Heartbreak, has just been completed and is due out in December.
Tags: Chris Gottschalk
October 5th, 2010 at 7:29 am
Horrific. Concise. Vivid. Brutal. and darkdarkdarkdark. What a great story! I look forward to more of Mr. Gottschalk’s work!
October 5th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Wicked. What I love about this is how all the horror is in the unsaid - we know what Mrs Sansmark is going through, but you don’t need to tell us - and what you write is so plain and matter of fact, nicely highlighted by the last sentence. Great work Chris.
October 7th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Clear management of the spoken word and insight into the dark side of human nature leaves the reader unsettled–yet looking for more of the same. Where in the realm of “reality based fiction” will the author strike next? I can hardly wait for future stories by Chris Gottschalk to find out.
October 12th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
I enjoyed this on so many levels. Thanks for such an original story. Truly putting flash fiction to good use.