With 164 recent views, 32 likes, and 185 insightful comments, this month’s story, “He Never Saw It Coming,” was another Story Chat success. Bookmark it for reference. Take a look if you missed it. If you love to read short stories, you will enjoy Story Chat Digest. For links to all of the SCD stories, bookmark the Story Chat Digest Page.

3 Word Summary

“Henri ambushed himself.” – Peggy Bright

Attendance with Links

Thank you to everyone who attended this Story Chat Digest session. Without your input, Story Chat is an average writing challenge. Your helpful, honest comments make this like a book club. If you get a chance, check out our attendees’ blogs. It’s well worth your time.

Going into a chat room online is much the same as going to a party. Story Chat is like a warm, homey chat room. There’s a lot of off-topic conversation as well as niceties. Since this is a summary of the chatter, not a taped recording to be used in a murder trial, I edit (not murder) comments.

Attendance with Links

Thank you to everyone who attended this Story Chat Digest session. Without your input, Story Chat is an average writing challenge. Your helpful, honest comments make this like a book club. If you get a chance, check out our attendees’ blogs. It’s well worth your time.

Going into a chat room online is much the same as going to a party. Story Chat is like a warm, homey chat room. There’s a lot of off-topic conversation as well as niceties. Since this is a summary of the chatter, not a taped recording to be used in a murder trial, I edit (not murder) comments.

Follow the attendance links to give the chatters a visit. To read the unabridged comments, click here to refer back to the story post.

• Amanda (author): “Henri was in a sticky situation whether he apologised or not. An evasive nonspecific answer might have smoothed any ruffled feathers.”
• Brazann Muse: “For me, I feel alcohol was an issue, and he was under the influence. I didn’t feel “poor Henri,” but I have the impression he had opinions on women and their “role” he wasn’t worried about insulting or complementing Emily, more what Tom would think of his “guess”. He said Tom was shrewd. Maybe he was checking how Henri would conduct himself in a social situation if the promotion required this. I enjoyed the story felt it was a part of the interview process to assess how he conducted himself …. Almost set up. The embarrassing atmosphere was palpable. So much is conveyed in such a short story, but in such a clever way that I feel it will depend on the reader’s own views of what they take from it… My first time joining in anything like this, so not sure if these are the sort of comment…?Thank you for this post for making me think about and recognise the skill of writing.
• Breezy Books: “Very entertaining story, Amanda. I could feel how uncomfortable the room became. I did feel for Henri. That was quite the blunder. I wondered if he could have saved himself through an apology for asking, but no matter how hard I tried to envision it, there seemed there was no way out. An apology would have only made things worse, and he still wouldn’t have gotten the promotion. Nicely done!”
• Bushboy: “I find the idea of an interview, set up or not, at a dinner party preposterous. It showed the foibles of some men when in company and alcohol is involved, assuming, of course, he had drunk a little too much. Just because bottles were drunk doesn’t mean Henri did. Mostly, I find accountants don’t drink too much, or at least the ones I have worked with didn’t anyway. Basically, Henri is just an idiot or, as Jo said, a clot. He would have been better off confessing his stupidity and apologising”
• Derrick Knight: “He certainly was not adept enough for promotion.”
• Esther Chilton: “This is a story where we can relate to at least one of the characters. Who hasn’t said something in the moment that they wished they hadn’t, be it an awkward question or something as we see it? Hopefully, it hasn’t been as detrimental to your career as poor Henri. Perhaps it’s his wife you can identify with or Emily or Tom. Regardless, there’s a realism to this, so we can connect with the story. It also makes us think about what we would do if we were in Henri’s shoes. I really wanted to know how old Emily was, just to satisfy my curiosity, but I feel Amanda ended the story in a highly apt way, with the email.”
• Fenland Phil: “A bit of a hard judgment for one ill-considered question, he may just be someone who is curious, perfectly sound in every respect, but lacking the so-called social niceties. I have an autistic daughter she is a very intelligent woman, a forensic psychologist, but finds social interactions tiring because she is trying to meet the social norms, which she finds difficult.”
• Hugh’s Views and News: “The dialogue in this story made me feel as though I were sitting at the table, my mouth agape in amazement at what was being asked. However, when I read one of Marsha’s questions – What is the point of view, setting, and time period? – I concluded it was set in the 1970s, a time when it hardly mattered what was said to whom and whether someone might be sacked or not considered for promotion because of age, race, or sexual orientation. Fast forward to 2025, and Henri could well have a claim for unfairness in not receiving the promotion, although given his question, I think his chances of winning are smaller. Certainly, in the 1970s, ’80s, and early ’90s, work dinners or parties involved the drinking of lots of alcohol, and things being said or done that in the present could end you or your company in court. However, even today, some people still live their lives like the 1970s or 80s, so maybe the time setting is not so long ago. The attitude towards women (and other groups) back in the 1970s and 80s was very different from what it is today.”
• Keep It Alive: “This is a very interesting story, Amanda. A common scenario where the protagonist puts his foot in his mouth by his unthinking comment. I enjoyed the story very much.”
• Leggy Peggy: “Henri ambushed himself.”
• Maria: “This story made me squirm, reminding me of times in public when I opened my mouth and wished I hadn’t. While I feel a bit sorry for Henri, asking someone their age is a nonstarter for conversation. Shows poor judgment, so I can understand why Tom would decide against having him head of Finance.” 🙂
• Nigel: “First off, this is a very engaging story. Well done, Amanda. Henri’s inner monologue aptly captures the stomach-churning of the moment. I doubt very much his dinner time faux pas had any impact on his boss’ decision, although powerful men can be terribly sensitive. But as a wonderful storyteller you left that seed of petty revenge planted in the mind of the reader..and Henri’s. Social awkwardness and an introverted personality are implied. Had it not been for the presence of alcohol, Henri’s emboldened approach may or may not have occurred. Well done setting the premise.”
• Picture Retirement: Hi Amanda, I made a game of it with my friends this morning, texting bits of your story as I asked questions. The conversation was spirited, much like a good book discussion. Most agreed that the punishment was harsh and that it likely wasn’t attached to the offense. They also felt that the question, while intrusive, is not offensive and easier to accept from a woman. Thanks again for a punchy topic. Well done.
• Retirementally Challenged: “Well-written story, Amanda. I liked that a lot of information was conveyed in just a few paragraphs. I’m not sure Henri deserves to lose a promotion over that, but what a stupid thing to ask someone. Maybe next time he needs to stop and think: A) Would he ask the same thing of a man? And, B) how is it any of his business?”
• Six Crooked Highways: “You certainly stirred the pot with this one, Amanda.”
• Still Restless Jo: “Well, he surely didn’t deserve that promotion! What a clot! If for anyone, I was sorry for his wife. Succinctly told, Amanda.”
• TanGental: “It is interesting that the shorter the story, the wider the range of comments and thoughts. The ‘engage brain before mouth’ principle has been completely ignored here – Henri is an utter tit, but his poor wife – no doubt inwardly slapping her forehead, she must be despairing. In my experience, the stress of a work dinner when you’re basically like cattle at a market, showing your fetlocks to the buyers in the hope of being chosen, is as grim as it gets, and it doesn’t require alcohol (though that doesn’t help) as aptly demonstrated by Henri to find your mouth full of your size nines. Turning his discomfort into a game is also both cruel and probably deserved. All in all a very enjoyable and *shudders familiar scenario, well told. PS I tried to ask a group of my male friends over breakfast if they’d be so gauche, but they looked at me like I was barking and returned to the weekend’s football. Que sera, sera…”
• Unique Times with Cindy: “Foot in mouth, landed a boot and tail behind his legs. He probs still doesn’t really get it. Sometimes, there’s no help for fools! 🥹”
• Universe Discoveries: “Nice post 🌅🌅”

Writing Wrinkles: “Serves him right for asking! I think that was probably the aspect that surprised me most in the story, especially once it had been revealed who everybody was. But maybe Australian males are less constricted by ‘form’ than us in the UK. I can’t think of any quip or diversion his wife might have successfully contributed. He sounds quite ‘us and them’ about the sisterhood. I was struck, though, on the way through how well the atmosphere was described and how successfully concise the story was.”

Testimonials

Maria: “By the way, I love the questions you pose at the end of the story. They give the website the feel of a book club.”

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Exciting Story Chat Volume II Video

Thanks for all your input, ideas, and likes. I hope you enjoy the video.

Story Chat Volume II Book Blog Tour Schedule

• Colleen Chesebro – November 24, 2024 (US) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
• Gloria – November 29 (UK)
• Robbie & Michael – November 30 (SA)
• Diana – December 1 (US)
• Doug – December 2 (AU) December 1 (US, UK, SA) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
• Cathy – December 4 (UK) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
• Amanda – December 9 (AU) December 8 (US, UK, SA)
• Dan– December 11 (US)
• Philip – December 14 (UK)
• Cindy Georgekas – December 16 (US)
• Esther Chilton – January 30 (UK ) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
• D. L. Finn – February 4 (US) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
• Yvette – February 5 (US) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
• Hugh – January 27 (UK)

Thanks again for being a great part of Always Write’s Story Chat Digest. Until next time, keep reading, writing, and chatting.