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The Final Exam, by Doug Bartlett

16/2/2020

 
Greg woke up anxious and extremely nervous. He barely got any sleep as he had spent the entire night and most of the early morning hours studying for his final exam.
He had been guaranteed a job upon graduation. He knew that job would turn into a lucrative career. That career would help him fulfill his lifetime desire of living the lifestyle he had dreamed about since he was a child.
He had many years of hard work and study behind him and one last course to pass before him.
Spring semester was drawing to a close and he had to pass this last course, entitled “Establishing and Developing Relationships”. It had the reputation of being the easiest course on campus.
That was fine with Greg as long as it met the requirement to fulfill his degree, which it did.
Today would be a monumental day. His only concern was that he pass his final exam. It was worth 55 percent of his overall grade which meant if he didn’t pass the final he wouldn’t pass the course. He figured the final would be just as easy as the regular course work.Although he had studied intensely for this final test ne could not escape this sense of uneasiness which was located deep down inside of him.
He scurried down the hallway, passing the janitor as he entered the classroom, as he had done so many times before.
He quickly sat down and awaited instructions from the professor. The professor was walking up and down the aisles handing out the examface down. Greg was surprised it was only one page and apparently single-sided. He thought not only was it going to be easy, it would be quick as well. He flipped the paper over and was astonished to see the entire Final exam consisted of a single question. It read:

You have come to this classroom three times a week for the last four and one-half months. Everytime you entered the classroom the same janitor was right outside the door. What is his first name?_____________.
Jim link
16/2/2020 05:35:01 pm

This is a good look at how easily we overlook those who we pass by each and every day. There are so, so many excuses for such, but, really, none of those are all that good now, are they?
Nice
Jim

Doug
19/2/2020 07:54:10 pm

Thanks Jim. I call them the invisible people. They get overlooked because others Are Too Busy For Them Or Others Feel They Are Superior To Them. How sad.

Kim Favors
16/2/2020 07:37:06 pm

Being seen, heard and valued. It takes such little effort to connect with others, but can be so rewarding -- for everyone. Well done.

Doug
19/2/2020 07:58:17 pm

I couldn't agree with you more Kim. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate the feedback.

Mike B.
21/2/2020 07:34:24 am

Great story Doug!! Sad, but so true, we all need to take time to appreciate people we come in contact with. Especially when it’s every day. A name is usually the first thing we find out about each other...

Doug
28/2/2020 02:08:03 am

Thanks for the feedback Mike.

Mary Wallace
21/2/2020 12:40:04 pm

I can't believe I missed reading this one Doug, it said so much beautifully. Well done.

Doug
28/2/2020 02:03:57 am

Thank you for those kind words Mary. I appreciate the feedback.


Comments are closed.

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    Friday Flash Fiction is primarily a site for stories of 100 words or fewer, and our authors are expected to take on that challenge if they possibly can. Most stories of under 150 words can be trimmed and we do not accept submissions of 101-150 words.


    However, in response to demand, the FFF team constructed this forum for significantly longer stories of 151-500 words. Please send submissions for these using the Submissions Page.

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    One little further note. Posting and publishing 500-word stories takes a little time if they need to be formatted, too.
    ​Please note that we tend to post longer flash fiction exactly as we find it – wrong spacing, everything.

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