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PASSCODE: 2020: A Short Story for an Epic Time
Strange things begin to happen at Sweet Gum Junior High when someone changes the staff's lavatory passcode to 2020. A short mystery with elements of science fiction, fantasy, and humor. 8,700 words. An excerpt ... Phyllis Macabee fumbled with the keypad on the staff bathroom door. The elite device was not responding as usual on that sultry September day in 2020. Phyllis tried the passcode 5432. Interesting, she thought. That number had worked during the previous school year. And the two before that. Why not now? Gosh, she was no mood to mess with a temperamental lock. She needed to get into the restroom before she embarrassed the daylights out of herself. The harried science teacher tried 5432. Nothing clicked inside the door after she pushed the keys. There had always been a sound in the past. She was desperate for that validating alert. It meant that relief was only seconds away. Phyllis pushed against the door’s steel surface with her lithe shoulder. The portal didn’t budge. Slow down and try again, she encouraged herself. This time, Phyllis was deliberate with her quivering fingers. She pushed each of the four code buttons with the precision of an accomplished musician. 5432. Each number responded to her touch with an electronic chirp. Those four beeps had confirmed her choices, yet nothing sounded from the inside the lock. Phyllis wiggled the handle. The door did not open. Maybe I should just give up on being an educator. I’m too much of a nervous wreck, Phyllis thought. Teaching online during a pandemic is sending me over the edge. And all this anxiety is playing heck with my bladder. Phyllis shifted from one foot to the other as she tried the passcode one more 5432. “Ma’am.” Phyllis turned her head. Miss Jeanne Olinger, the youngest teacher at Sweet Gum Junior High School, was standing a generous six feet away. Social distancing was what they called it, Phyllis reminded herself. Phyllis backed up a few more feet. She liked Jeanne. She believed Jeanne was healthy – and not a carrier of the COVID-19 virus. But there was one looming issue. After twelve years of being a science teacher, Phyllis had turned into a germaphobe. Most people complained about the inconvenience of social distancing. Phyllis, on the contrary, was relieved. Jeanne’s wide blue eyes twinkled above her homemade face mask. She’d attached some bling to the cloth to make it more decorative. “The passcode has been changed.” “Changed? Why ever for? The other one was perfectly good.” Miss Olinger smiled. She seemed to smile in response to everything. Young teachers usually did. “I’m not sure,” she finally answered. Phyllis shifted from one of her polished penny loafers to the other. “Well, what’s the new passcode?” “2020.” “2020? Whose crazy idea was that?”
39 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2020
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 25, 2021
This is a no thrill little read that nonetheless sweeps along good-naturedly and held my attention. There’s a mystery afoot in a school’s recently modernised staff toilet. The entire personnel queue to use it, and once in there, they’re reluctant to come out.
With covid-19 all around us, this is an appropriate, clean, sweet-smelling short story. An ideal forty-minute read while sitting on the throne.
With covid-19 all around us, this is an appropriate, clean, sweet-smelling short story. An ideal forty-minute read while sitting on the throne.
September 22, 2020
This story was a really weird read, but I love weird stories because it's different to what I usually read. This book is like a.mystery that is not done. Purposely not done, it really makes me want to read more of her stories and books. I am not sure if she is doing it that way just to build suspense. If there is more to this story, I surely want to read more.
I got a free copy of the book and is voluntarily leaving a review.
I got a free copy of the book and is voluntarily leaving a review.
January 11, 2021
This is a short read, very well written story. A regular bathroom visit for Phyllis, a changed passcode, new soap, all leading to a mysterious turn. The author has spun a smart twist based on the current Covid situation.
I enjoyed the story and will give it a 5 star.
I enjoyed the story and will give it a 5 star.
October 16, 2020
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ PASSCODE: 2020 by Dovie Ruth
We all go a little mad sometimes.
I sat on this one for a while as I wanted it to sink in before I wrote my review.
Being a teacher is a difficult job, made infinitely more difficult by distance learning.
Sometimes it's the simple pleasures of life, like a pleasant smell that can bring a small amount of joy to an otherwise joyless situation. In contrast, the simple frustration of a bathroom that is out-of-order (or is it?) can drive you nuts.
The year 2020 will go down as a year of manic swings between joy and sadness, mostly based on small actions.
PASSCODE: 2020 is fast-paced and well written. There are elements that make us all identify with the characters and completely understand their motivation.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ NNR says 4 Stars, Leave the real world behind for about an hour (give or take) and join the staff of Sweet Gum Junior High
We all go a little mad sometimes.
I sat on this one for a while as I wanted it to sink in before I wrote my review.
Being a teacher is a difficult job, made infinitely more difficult by distance learning.
Sometimes it's the simple pleasures of life, like a pleasant smell that can bring a small amount of joy to an otherwise joyless situation. In contrast, the simple frustration of a bathroom that is out-of-order (or is it?) can drive you nuts.
The year 2020 will go down as a year of manic swings between joy and sadness, mostly based on small actions.
PASSCODE: 2020 is fast-paced and well written. There are elements that make us all identify with the characters and completely understand their motivation.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ NNR says 4 Stars, Leave the real world behind for about an hour (give or take) and join the staff of Sweet Gum Junior High
December 28, 2020
A quick story about a group of teachers and the life of online teaching during a pandemic. The school is like a ghost town—no students, no clatter, no laughter.
One teacher rants and raves about the passcode to the bathroom being changes to 2020—a bad number considering the year we’ve had. Because of it, she refuses to use it and spends all day holding it in.
Story is relatable during the pandemic era. It talks about the absurdity of Zoom and the hoarding of toilet paper. It mainly covers the stress and anxiety resulted from the COVID-19 scare.
Not sure if the cover image of the odd science teacher was suitable, but it was a nice, little read!
One teacher rants and raves about the passcode to the bathroom being changes to 2020—a bad number considering the year we’ve had. Because of it, she refuses to use it and spends all day holding it in.
Story is relatable during the pandemic era. It talks about the absurdity of Zoom and the hoarding of toilet paper. It mainly covers the stress and anxiety resulted from the COVID-19 scare.
Not sure if the cover image of the odd science teacher was suitable, but it was a nice, little read!
January 2, 2021
A nice short read about a group of teachers during the pandemic. This is a well written book that is easy to relate to. It accurately shows the stress and anxiety during the pandemic, and that sometimes the simplest things in life can bring us great joy.
November 25, 2020
A strange tale for the strange time that we're currently living in. This book is reminiscent of a mystery (much like the uncertain times were living in today). Very suspenseful and well done.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews