As the month draws to a close, I’m reminded of how much this kind of story has become the bright spot of my month. Not long ago, I did everything I could to avoid writing in this genre, but somewhere along the way the script flipped. Now, these are the stories bring me great joy. They don’t always end up as my favorite pick in my newsletter, but they never fail to put a smile on my face. Part of the fun comes from watching them unfold in my head. Those raw and messy moments are magical before they’re refined for the general public. Trust me, no first draft is ever ready for publication.
Some jobs look simple enough, such as move item X to location Y. Others require a little more interpretation. But whenever Sebastian and Jimmy are involved, even the most ordinary of tasks spiral into something entirely unexpected. What begins with a pile of tools and a shed quickly becomes a showcase of their very different approaches to work, life, and everything in between.
Sebastian is practical and focused, while Jimmy is his perfect foil. Where Sebastian sees only the ordinary, Jimmy approaches the world with a childlike wonder most of us have long forgotten. That clash doesn’t just spark tension. It sparks comedy. Their banter, their antics, and their refusal to land on the same page transform even the most mundane chores into moments you couldn’t plan if you tried.
Sebastian and Jimmy stood next to an expansive pile of shabby maintenance equipment. Jimmy wagged a finger under Sebastian’s nose. “How’d we get suckered into doing this kind of work?”
Sebastian shook his head as he turned his friend toward the heap of tools. “We’re being paid to take these and organize them in the nearby shed.”
“This is a month’s labor for pocket change?”
“You’re making this out to be worse than it is.” Sebastian squeezed Jimmy’s shoulder before grabbing a couple of shovels. He stepped to the building, lifting them over his head. “Watch. I’ll start the job. With a little focus, we’ll pack everything away in short order.”
“Fine,” Jimmy said as he ambled to the ladder leaning against the shed’s wall. “Behold, we’ve stumbled upon something that will bring us our elusive success. It’ll carry our endeavors to new and great heights!”
Sebastian slipped out of the shed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He sighed and pushed the ladder back against the building as he pointed at the pile behind them. “You’ll never find triumph by climbing that old thing, Jimmy. It’s nothing more than wood and nails. They’re a dime a dozen in a hardware store.”
“Wrong,” Jimmy said, wagging a finger as he studied the handmade ladder. He repositioned it on the shed’s wall and gripped the sides as his head turned toward his friend. “I’m certain each rung will lift us toward the stars.”
“Closer to the ceiling,” Sebastian said, retrieving more tools from the pile. “And if you keep playing with it, I am sure you’ll also inch nearer to a visit to the nearest emergency room.”
“Nonsense,” Jimmy said as he flew up the rungs. Upon reaching the summit, he shielded his vision, gazing at the horizon. “Hold on, Sebastian, my future is obvious from up here!”
“Jimmy, I’m not about to handle this job without your help!” Sebastian grabbed a saw and waved it about like a deadly flag. “You’re going to find a funeral if you continue clowning around.”
Jimmy gripped the top rungs as he released his breath and scrunched his face to a point. He scurried down the ladder and gave his friend a deep bow before dusting his hands. “Fine. If you don’t believe in ladders to success, maybe you’ll consider—”
“What are you peddling now?”
Jimmy grabbed Sebastian’s shoulder, turning him around. He thrust a finger at a set of wild eyes. “Sebastian! Some lunatic is staring at me!”
“Nobody’s here…” Sebastian followed Jimmy’s gaze and slapped his forehead. He sauntered over to the pile obscuring the eyes and he removed the objects blocking his friend’s view. “Jimmy, that isn’t a person. It’s a mirror.”
“I know what a mirror is, and that…” Jimmy walked toward the mirror and traced his finger “…that can’t be my reflection, I’m more handsome than the fellow.”
Sebastian swatted his friend as he grabbed more tools from the pile. “That’s you, Jimmy. Don’t you understand how mirrors work?”
Jimmy leaned close, squinting at his echo. “Nope. He’s uglier than me, not to mention mocking me with perfect timing. This guy must be an impostor trying to replace me!”
“It’s not a person, just a reflection.”
Jimmy whirled to Sebastian, grabbing his shoulders and pulling him right next to him. “Then why does he blink in unison with me?”
“That’s a mirror!”
Jimmy gasped, horrified, as he turned back to the mirror. “Is he mocking me?”
Sebastian knocked Jimmy’s hands off him as he grabbed another tool. “I’m saying you should stop arguing with yourself.”
“Two can play at this game.” Undeterred, Jimmy puffed out his chest at the imposter. He stuck out his tongue and waggled his eyebrows before throwing his hand to his forehead. His reflection, of course, copied every move. Jimmy leaned back with a smug smile plastered on his face. “Victory is mine!”
Sebastian exited the shed, shaking his head. “How’d you manage that?”
“That’s simple,” Jimmy said, grabbing a tool. He ran into the building and placed the hammer with the others. “He ended up saluting and surrendering to my natural charm.”
Before Sebastian could reply, Jimmy rushed to the nearby bench and withdrew a pack of cards from his pocket. He fanned them out with a dramatic flourish. “Join me for the truth.”
Sebastian’s lips curled into a scowl as he eyed his friend around the pile. “We’re not gambling.”
“Why would we be doing that? I’m about to tell our fortunes.” Jimmy shuffled the cards and turned towards Sebastian and arched the deck in a hand. With a little too much force, they scattered, covering the floor. With a nervous chuckle, Jimmy shoved both hands into his pockets. “Pick one, Sebastian. We’ll soon discover what truths can be revealed.”
Sebastian sighed, plucking a card just to humor Jimmy. Without checking the value, he turned it toward his friend, revealing his choice.
“Ah!” Jimmy licked his lips, his eyes widening. “You’ve drawn the King of spades… That means…”
“What?” Sebastian asked, lowering his hand as his brow creased.
Jimmy grabbed one and viewed it before snapping his fingers. “Your authority ends today.”
“By whom?” Sebastian dropped the spade and buried his face in his hands.
Jimmy grinned, showing off his card. “By me, since the Joker is the most valuable from the deck. It’s the ruler of kings and fools alike!”
Sebastian crossed his arms. “You’re a fool in more ways than one.”
“And yet, the cards have spoken!”
Sebastian’s head fell as he bent down to collect them. Meanwhile, Jimmy darted outside, brandishing his card toward the mirror. “Even my twin agrees.”
Sebastian stormed out of the shed and shoved the stack into his friend’s hand before he climbed up the ladder.
“Do you agree that’s our path to success?”
“No, I’m convinced this will be my means of escape,” Sebastian said as he stepped onto the roof. “I’ll rest up here while you and your imposter handle the tools.”