Words of my Father

2 minutes till deadline and there's no room for error. The words of my father repeat in my head ‘a successful project requires preparation’ and so I prepare. My heart races as I dash to my workstation. I wrap my hand around the metal handle of the instrument drawer and secure the necessary tools. Placing each neatly I move on to the materials. First a jar from the shelf to the right, then a jar from the cold-storage unit to the left. 1 minute remains. I grab a clear bag from the shelf above my workstation and set to work. I remove the tag from the bag, and place two slices on the display table. I twist the lids off each jar. Using my distribution tool I extract and spread a soft, thick butter across slice one. I clean the tool and repeat the process on slice two with a sweet jelly. 45 seconds left. My father would’ve expected 50.

My lunch completed I return my ingredients, clean my tool, place my sandwich in a plastic bag, then rush out the door, once again barely on time for work.