A two hundred fifty word story written for http://www.writingbattle.com

On the way back to her cubicle from the third floor, Jackie could see from the window, a young man carrying some mylar balloons across the parking lot. One read “Happy”, the other “Birthday.” “Happy” broke free. Jackie watched as the balloon made its way up into the gray sky. Moving with the currents of the wind. Heading south, then southwest. “Heading for the ocean?” She asked the balloon under her breath. “Good choice.” A smile eased its way across her face. Jackie caught herself feeling envious of the balloon. 

“Jackie.” Mr. Gorman’s voice abruptly inserted itself like a pin prick popping her fantasy. Jackie turned from the window displaying her standard smile. An artificial, plastic smile to be sure, but one that a man such as Mr. Gorman was far too self absorbed to take for anything but face value. “Do you have those reports ready?” Mr. Gorman asked. Jackie gazed down at her eight ounce paper cup filled with coffee. Already room temperature. She thought about throwing scalding hot coffee in Mr. Gorman’s face and tossing him out the third story window. She would plead guilty and go to prison for assault, possibly murder if she was lucky. At least in prison she wouldn’t have the option of freedom. “I’ll have them ready for you by noon.” She replied. “Great! Just make sure you have them ready by lunch.” He asserted as he walked by patting her on the shoulder. Jackie pressed her hand to the glass. “Happy.”