It’s a story about how quietly a person disappears.
Not all at once. Not in some big, cinematic break. But through the slow negotiation of self—microwaving cold tilapia, laughing off a $22 chicken sandwich, talking to someone who never really looks up.
It’s resignation masked as routine.
And you nailed that. Without ever having to say it.
The power here isn’t in a twist or a flourish—it’s in the truth.
That sometimes “being good at the job” is the saddest possible ending.
Because it means the costume finally fit.
And the scariest part?
It didn’t feel like a tragedy.
It felt… familiar.
You wrote something honest. And it stayed with me.
yessss you get it Max. thanks so much for reading and taking the time to write such an insightful comment. it is a horrific story, for sure. in a lot of ways. and very sad.
Well, the part about making sure the donors get the special treatment and like, whatever else... I mean, it makes me wonder. And none of the "younger" employees are worried about lunch prices. And Patricia's smart enough to go to the Merchant place and only order bread sticks and soup. I'm just saying. I'm also not saying anything, other than her boyfriend sucks. That's very obvious. Great story, Clancy.
it's definitely a commentary on how certain jobs require you to already have money. Patricia is wise to that, though. unfortunately, she knows exactly how to just give everyone what they want... and continues doing it. Thanks so much parker for reading, as always.
Really enjoyed this, Clancy. The details of the early arrival, the small interactions, and the subtle climax to create the ironic 'win' for your protagonist really worked. She's in an endless cycle unless she wakes up.
My husband and I used to meal prep and he would always brave the meals on the fourth day and got food poisoning from cold pork more than once. This took me back…
she's good at deleting I guess. wiping the whiteboard, the harddisk, cleaning the cookies. that jazz. I guess it's helpful at all those boring fundraisers etc. I don't know how people do that, at all. I don't fit even as a guest/or some silent statue that has to be there on job's orders.
If you re not really involved when you work with people (and she's not really, so it seems) -maybe it's easier. To do anything including eating old tilapia, just not to become really, really involved
It's a brutal work culture here too I must add. Gotta play its role.
Thank you Clansy-interestingly I never answer book club questions, the book club concept is somewhat alien to me still. I don't know why I did now; a good story
Chen, it is not a requirement to answer the questions, but I am glad you did. gave me a new perspective on the story. if you did it for this story, then you must have really enjoyed it and I a mglad.
Even though it’s low-stakes on paper, it feels big to Patricia, and when she succeeds quietly in the end, it’s a genuinely uplifting moment that feels earned.
This isn’t a story about a new job.
It’s a story about how quietly a person disappears.
Not all at once. Not in some big, cinematic break. But through the slow negotiation of self—microwaving cold tilapia, laughing off a $22 chicken sandwich, talking to someone who never really looks up.
It’s resignation masked as routine.
And you nailed that. Without ever having to say it.
The power here isn’t in a twist or a flourish—it’s in the truth.
That sometimes “being good at the job” is the saddest possible ending.
Because it means the costume finally fit.
And the scariest part?
It didn’t feel like a tragedy.
It felt… familiar.
You wrote something honest. And it stayed with me.
yessss you get it Max. thanks so much for reading and taking the time to write such an insightful comment. it is a horrific story, for sure. in a lot of ways. and very sad.
Means a lot, Clancy. That story stuck to my ribs. Glad I could help reflect a little light back at it.
Well, the part about making sure the donors get the special treatment and like, whatever else... I mean, it makes me wonder. And none of the "younger" employees are worried about lunch prices. And Patricia's smart enough to go to the Merchant place and only order bread sticks and soup. I'm just saying. I'm also not saying anything, other than her boyfriend sucks. That's very obvious. Great story, Clancy.
it's definitely a commentary on how certain jobs require you to already have money. Patricia is wise to that, though. unfortunately, she knows exactly how to just give everyone what they want... and continues doing it. Thanks so much parker for reading, as always.
Patricia has a new job. She'll be good at it. Now she needs a new boyfriend. If you ask me.
100% agree hahaha
I hope you will subscribe to making history become alive. It’s free.
Really enjoyed this, Clancy. The details of the early arrival, the small interactions, and the subtle climax to create the ironic 'win' for your protagonist really worked. She's in an endless cycle unless she wakes up.
endless cycle of people pleasing, indeed. thanks for reading this one Kate!
Oh yes, I recognize my mother eek
She is good at observing situations and fitting into the mold people expect her to assume. What a rotten boyfriend and careless coworkers.
But an excellent read, as always. Thank you ☺️
exactly! that is what I hoped to convey!
thank YOU for reading.
Oof
yeah, thanks for sticking with it
My husband and I used to meal prep and he would always brave the meals on the fourth day and got food poisoning from cold pork more than once. This took me back…
Syntax mirrors her overthinking and people-pleasing burnout.
Restraint is potent, this could've been absurd or satirical—yet it's the grounding in reality what let's this sing.
Patricia's a survivor.
nice noting of the syntax. "people-pleasing burnout" --- EXACTLY. thank you.
I am always somewhat grounded, often humorous though.
She can bouge it up with the bougiest of 'em, even if she's rotting on the inside. A fun read as usual! I could smell it (all of it) the whole time...
absolutely. she knows how to make those people happy... thanks Bryan. hope things are going well for you !
The bit about the boyfriends ranking dictating the next 20 minutes of his mood was harrowing. Imagine living with someone like that 🤮
that shit really happens, I think.
Gross
she's good at deleting I guess. wiping the whiteboard, the harddisk, cleaning the cookies. that jazz. I guess it's helpful at all those boring fundraisers etc. I don't know how people do that, at all. I don't fit even as a guest/or some silent statue that has to be there on job's orders.
If you re not really involved when you work with people (and she's not really, so it seems) -maybe it's easier. To do anything including eating old tilapia, just not to become really, really involved
It's a brutal work culture here too I must add. Gotta play its role.
Thank you Clansy-interestingly I never answer book club questions, the book club concept is somewhat alien to me still. I don't know why I did now; a good story
Chen, it is not a requirement to answer the questions, but I am glad you did. gave me a new perspective on the story. if you did it for this story, then you must have really enjoyed it and I a mglad.
Even though it’s low-stakes on paper, it feels big to Patricia, and when she succeeds quietly in the end, it’s a genuinely uplifting moment that feels earned.
Interesting how you assume that, because of her chronically introverted personality, the reader will assume she is bad at her job. The last line.
I enjoyed reading this, thank you.