This post is submitted to Friday Fictioneers. The challenge is to write a complete story with a beginning, middle and end in 100 words or less. My story follows the picture prompt below.
“How many in your party sir?“
“Just myself tonight.”
“The name on the reservation?”
“I don’t have one. Just arrived in town.”
“Appears to be around a twenty minute wait sir.”
“Perhaps I could have one of those empty tables behind you?
“Sorry sir, those are all reserved.”
While waiting I glanced at my black face in the gold framed mirror in the waiting area and wondered.
Oh Danny Boy! 
I hope that when the twenty minute wait is over that he will be shown to a table.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully before then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, hopefully, before then.
LikeLike
it never leaves us, our bias
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unfortunately that’s true.
LikeLike
A really troubling aspect of human behaviour, succinctly conveyed in words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is and thanks for the nice words.
LikeLike
A succinct and powerful scene. How tragic that despite the progress we seem to have made in improving human lives and society, we still have so very far to go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very, very far!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Danny, it makes me angry to think this still happens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same here!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting story. Blunt (okay, almost) and short. Long ago I lost all composure for such treatment. Well chosen, Danny.
LikeLiked by 2 people
There is an expected assumption in the story, with well worn reasoning. What if the tables in all honestly werefully booked? Of course after twenty minutes we can confirm our understanding
LikeLiked by 2 people
Exactly!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, and if they are, you turn on your cell video recorder and ask the hostess again for a seat. Oh, I hope this kind of mess isn’t still happening 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Simple story, profound message, well told.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“All reserved” for anyone not like you. So sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d rather think they were all reserved, but I can’t help but doubt it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m with you!
LikeLike
I want to say it really is “nothing personal” and any minute now the people who reserved the tables will show up and start setting up and then he can breathe a sigh of relief. I have both been there and watched other people being there, and it is such a powerful moment when you can go, oh, I thought you were lying and I am SO that I was wrong about that. I hate that the world is like that so many times. Great story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said!
LikeLike
I’m sure this happens more times than many of us can imagine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly I believe you are correct.
LikeLike
Excellent Danny, says so much in a simple, matter-of-fact way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Iain. Glad you liked.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A sad reflection, well told
LikeLiked by 1 person