I'm looking for a few readers, preferably people who didn't participate in the flash last week - I really need to know if this can stand on its own, or if it only works in the context of the trigger. If you did flash last week, then I can use your help polishing this. I'm pretty happy with it, which means I'm blind to its faults.

This contains a little bit of language some people might find objectionable.

It's only 1000 words, so I'll just give you the first paragraph, instead of the full 13.

The summer before he went to college, Mike got a job at the hot dog stand down at the amusement park. God, that job sucked. Standing in that hot little booth all day, wearing the stupid paper hat, smelling like hot dogs, no one to talk to but the other employees. Most of them were losers who'd worked there for years. They'd probably work there the rest of their lives, too. Stupid job.

spaceman, I don't see your e-mail address in your profile - what address would you like me to use?