Bonus Excerpt from the story

"THE LATEST DEADLINES"

 Mary suffers from a worsening illness and will lose her job unless she makes enough sales by noontime

NOW

Mary knows she must sell at least 15 newspapers by noon today or lose her job. While she gulps down the morning doses of medicines which keep her angry thoughts and emotions from raging, she thinks about her boss at the News Dealer’s office, Mr. McCracken, and starts feeling the horrible shakes of an anxiety attack.

BEFORE

Mr. McCracken tried talking to her as she left the office very dejected yesterday. “You know, Mary...” he began.

Instantly her look of sadness changed to terror, like he was going to deal a fatal blow to her. Then, she flashed her bloodshot eyes and went on the offensive first. “Wha-at!” she barked at him.

McCracken’s small head snapped back, and his oval specs sat crooked. “Mary, you didn’t sell any papers today,” he said in a soft tone. His blond eyebrows converged in a troubled look. “You only sold four papers this week.”

“I know.” Mary changed demeanor again, and began to pout. Her double-chin hung lower than usual. “I’m sorry.”

“Mary, I’m trying to help, but I...don’t know.”