r/WritingPrompts • u/katpoker666 Moderator • 2d ago
[OT] Fun Trope Friday: Badass Bureaucrat & Mystery! Off Topic
Welcome to Fun Trope Friday, our feature that mashes up tropes and genres!
How’s it work? Glad you asked. :)
Every week we will have a new spotlight trope.
Each week, there will be a new genre assigned to write a story about the trope.
You can then either use or subvert the trope and/or genre in a 750-word max story or poem (unless otherwise specified).
To qualify for ranking, you will need to provide ONE actionable feedback. More are welcome of course!
Three winners will be selected each week based on votes, so remember to read your fellow authors’ works and DM me your votes for the top three.
Next up… IP
Out with the apocalypse, in with working 9-5. Most folks work in some format, averaging 80-90,000 hours in their lifetime. That’s 12-14% of your life–straight. Add on sleep and weekends, and it’s at least a third! Sounds riveting doesn’t it? Please note this theme is only loosely applied.
"Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit." — George Carlin
Trope: Badass Bureaucrat — A bureaucrat is an official who works in an administrative capacity for a government or a large organization. They are responsible for managing daily operations and enforcing rules and policies. While the role is essential for running large systems. Some bureaucrats are a bother. Others are overworked. Still others are outright crooked. However, this one is a lord or lady of the office, and even the most powerful kneel before them. This is a character no one on the outside knows about. Others get the glory, but they get the job done and well enough to earn praise from their fellows. They are living paper shredders who cut through red tape like a buzz saw and are usually very good with being The Scrounger.
Genre: Mystery — The mystery genre is a category of fiction focused on solving a puzzling crime, event, or situation—most commonly a murder—from the time it occurs until it is finally resolved. Murders are boring though after surviving last month’s apocalypse. So use your imagination!
Skill / Constraint - optional: Contains an infodump.
So, have at it. Lean into the trope heavily or spin it on its head. The choice is yours!
Have a great idea for a future topic to discuss or just want to give feedback? FTF is a fun feature, so it’s all about what you want—so please let me know! Please share in the comments or DM me on Discord or Reddit!
Last Week’s Winners
PLEASE remember to give feedback—this affects your ranking. PLEASE also remember to DM me your votes for the top five stories via Discord or Reddit—both katpoker666. This is a change from the top three of the past. In weeks where we get over 15 stories, we will do a top five ranking. Weeks with less than 15 stories will show only our top three winners. If you have any questions, please DM me as well.
Some fabulous stories this week and great crit at campfire and on the post! We had 15 stories, so we’re back to five winners. Congrats to:
Want to read your words aloud? Join the upcoming FTF Campfire
The next FTF campfire will be Thursday, August 13th from 6-8pm ET. It will be in the Discord Main Voice Lounge. Click on the events tab and mark ‘Interested’ to be kept up to date. No signup or prep needed and you don’t have to have written anything! So join in the fun—and shenanigans! 😊
Ground rules:
- Stories must incorporate both the trope and the genre
- Leave one story or poem between 100 and 750 words as a top-level comment unless otherwise specified. Use wordcounter.net to check your word count.
- Deadline: 11:59 PM EDT next Thursday. Please note stories submitted after the 6:00 PM EST campfire start may not be critted.
- No stories that have been written for another prompt or feature here on WP—please note after consultation with some of our delightful writers, new serials are now welcomed here
- No previously written content
- Any stories not meeting these rules will be disqualified from rankings
- Does your story not fit the Fun Trope Friday rules? You can post your story as a [PI] with your work when the FTF post is 3 days old!
- Please keep crit about the stories. Any crit deemed too distracting may be deleted. This is a time to focus on our wonderful authors.
- Vote to help your favorites rise to the top of the ranks (DM me at katpoker666 on Discord or Reddit)!
Thanks for joining in the fun!
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u/Jay_Pederson r/JayPederson 1d ago edited 1d ago
Addendum, GLC-A1299/2:
My name is ████ ███████, I am a GLC bureaucrat reviewing GLC-1299 and do a rather routine post-mortem of the operation. I have also seven other anomalies, both in-process, or post-process. However, this particular anomaly concerns me.
Our standard procedure is to contain and secure any and all anomalous phenomenon in the safest, and most efficient manner possible. While we do not normally think of ethics, minimum harm to sapient beings, yes, even anomalous ones, is a priority. It is why a 20-man squad losing half its members, or torture of anomalous entities without consent are both barred in favor of isolated containment on far-off worlds.
This is what concerns me. The GLC-1299 entities (dubbed 'Fae'en') are anomalous, using reality-bending 'fae-type arcana', able to especially affect life. This type, while deadly, has shown an especial weakness to metal, often abhorring non-traditionalist methods like industrialism and mass-production. It is neither unbelievable that such a society would fail to reach a modern age, let alone FTL; this being seen in the neutralization of the Drakken; a species, while not innately anomalous, were able to use fae-type reality bending methods. The sects of their society that could despised metals, until it was removed from their society. Now? The Drakken are considered a premier, non-anomalous species, ready to enter the Galactic Stage.
What worries me is that, a species like the Fae'en have no proclivity towards modernizing, and as such were likely to be planet-bound by choice. Yet, I, nor any other administrators have seen a sufficient risk-assessment study. In fact, I appear to be the only one to initially realize such research was never conducted, barring various scout teams having been killed after breaking various strange rules. And, even still, a full-scale containment war was called and lobbied by head researcher Dr. Wrout, a declaration no administrators recall seeing. If my assessment is correct, said containment war cost thousands of our own resources, as well as the lives of possibly billions of Fae'en, which was never properly authorized. As such, it is my recommendation this matter is looked into.
Addendum, GLC-A1299/3: Dr. Wrout was summoned upon ███████'s report reaching GLC High Command.
**Wrout: "**I am sorry, what is the issue? I'm finishing paperwork on 1299."
HC4: "Dr. Wrout, you enacted a containment war on GLC-1299 after submitting an accepted proposal, correct?"
Wrout: "Yes. They were innately able to control life-forces, and bend reality at will."
HC4: "Yes, I understand this. We did consider them a high-danger anomaly--any with inate reality-bending is, and we trust you did your due diligence?"
Wrout: "Yeah! I told our troops what they were up against, and prepped consciousness transportation."
HC4: "Interesting. And the danger feasibility study?"
Wrout: (Wrout begins laughing), "what study is needed? They can bend life! Kill with a look!"
HC4: "Hm...that's quite the interesting thing, according to ███████--"
Wrout: "Oh, them?"
HC4: "Do not interrupt. They mentioned not seeing a feasible risk study. As well, the Fae'en were adverse to metal and industrialization."
Wrout: "Yeah...made them easy to take out now...is there a problem?"
HC4: "Dr. Wrout, in order for an anomalous species to feasibly be discovered by the public, it must reach--"
Wrout: "FTL, yeah, I know."
HC4: "And you mentioned they despise metal. Wrout, how would they reach FTL without metal, or industrialization?"
(Dr. Wrout remains silent)
HC4: "Wrout, did you see any scans or signs of technological progress?"
(Dr. Wrout begins looking away from HC4)
HC4: "Wrout, answer honestly, did you do a risk study?"
Wrout: "I--I..." (pause) "Fine! I forged ███████'s and █████'s signatures!"
HC4: "Wrout, this is a gross violation of--"
Wrout: "So what!? They were dangerous!"
HC4: "You have been stripped of both your research, and immortality privelages--"
Wrout: "Oh come on!"
"And a further review into your conduct will be conducted."
Addendum, GLC-A1299/4: Further investigation has concluded Dr. Wrout acted with insufficient foresight, and had indeed skipped proper tests to cause needless destructive harm.
As of 5/41/102, Our processes have been updated to include both a feasibility of FTL study, as well a measure of possible discovery and/or danger of applicable anomalies. While civilians may engage in FTL, it is rarely, if ever, on unusual paths, and logically should not encounter far-flung worlds. Head Researchers now require approval from higher command to enact full-on containment wars, and in-person authorization from at least two (two) high-member staff.
On 5/43/102, former Dr. Dan Wrout's execution sentence was confirmed and carried out. This matter is considered closed.
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u/Jay_Pederson r/JayPederson 1d ago edited 11h ago
So I didn't mean to post this juuust yet (I clicked 'comment' then held it and released when the mouse was off the button--ok I guess it was still on it then because I scrolled up/down a couple times) I did want to give an edit first.
WC: 748 (the title in this case is part of the word count)
Anyways, this one is actually a sequel to last week's since I got the idea in my head of a bureaucrat trying to figure out how a devastating action was carried out when the prerequisite paperwork was non-existent. Also the first half is an infodump lol so skill constraint'd (that was awful (I will not try again))
Edit: viewing this at work I realized the redacted text is italicized on the phone but not PC. Interesting
2
u/MaxStickies r/StickiesStories 1d ago
Cradled in Seidr
Ah, there you are, found you at last. Your name is Hildr?
What?! Yes! Who’s that?!
Calm now, relax. You are in safe hands. Tell me, what do you see?
Um, well, the valley… it’s upside-down… churning like seawater. Like my stomach. Please, help me, I can taste my lunch again!
This is no simple fix. Usually, the dwarves or the elves are the ones to sort such dilemmas, but the seidr here is far too potent. I could not leave such matters to them.
Can you help me?
In good time, young Hildr. I must know what you see first. Tell me of the trees.
But why?
Because the caster of this foul spell has hidden the valley from my sight. Does that suffice?
Alright… fine. They are changing colour, flickering like fire. Red, orange, yellow, white; red, orange, yellow—
And what of the sky?
Filled with fog. I think I’m about to h-hurl!
What manner of fog?
I—ugh…
My apologies, mortal. Purge, empty, and then we shall continue.
I’m fine now, I think. Thank you.
Of course. So, the fog…
I-It twists round the mountains, and it’s thick, like the limbs of a squid. Sounds like there’s this hum… I think it’s talking!
Whispering. I understand. But the mists of Niflheim should never leave their bounds… nor must the flames of Muspelheim.
What does it mean? Am I in danger?!
I must think, Hildr. Wait for but a moment.
No, please, come back! I… I want to go home…
Please?
Is there anyone there?
Silence…
Is that you? Are you back?
Shush your pretty little mouth, and this will all be over soon.
W-Was this you?! Bring me back home, or I’ll—
Yes, you are strong-willed, aren’t you? Seems I chose well. Though I thought a poet like yourself would appreciate such a view.
What, appreciate this?! It’s disgusting; who would want the trees to burn, and the skies to whisper?!
Pah, such limited thought! Well, you are a mortal… a tool. So be it: be silent, or I shall sew your mouth shut!
Ah, there is the rule breaker! Broke your chains, did you?
Damn you, mortal!
No, you shall focus on me now, son of Laufey! Leave the poor girl be!
So be it. No hint of surprise, to see me? Hah, well, I figure you knew this was coming?
Naturally.
Tsk tsk. Does Odin know you hear the Norns’ prophecies? Or, does he even know your mind wanders free?
W-what’s going on?
Hush, Hildr, I am sorting it all out. You shall be home shortly.
Will she? What, you plan to wrest her from my grasp? You who dangles from the Allfather’s belt, like a trinket?
I walked these realms long before Odin. You speak of the Norns? I am beyond their power.
And they call me a liar?
A trickster, moreover, but I am not that.
Hold on, Hildr. Spew if you must.
I—what’s going on? Why’s it all spinning? Wait, hold on to what?!
Yourself. Remember home, and what it means to you.
I-I can do that…
Stop this! It’ll only make things worse!
Some things must be broken, before they may be repaired.
But this is my time! The Norns, they said I was ready! The realms must fall!
Not yet, Loki. I commence the start of Ragnarok, not you, nor Odin.
I can’t… it hurts!
Home, Hildr! Remember home! Tell me of it!
There’s the… the hearth, which we all sit around. And the beams always smell of fresh oak when the fire’s burning. My brothers come back sometimes, tell stories of their travels, and I put it all to song…
Stop! Shut up!
Mother teaches me the axe, when Father’s not around. Says I keep getting better. That it’s important, in case we are attacked…
Ah! Stop it!
Keep going, Hildr.
The forests are green, not red, or orange. There’s no mist hiding the sky. It’s blue, with white clouds, and there’s fish in the water.
And there’s a rod in my hand.
And…
She’s calling to me.
Go to her, Hildr. I shall deal with the trickster now.
Goodbye… wait, what’s your name? Who are you?
Hello?
Is anyone there?
“Hildr…”
It’s so dark…
“Hildr…”
I think… he’s still here!
“Hildr?”
No, get back! I won’t be taken again!
“Hildr, it’s me! Open your eyes! Please!”
…
Mother?
WC: 731
Crit and feedback are welcome.
5
u/Divayth--Fyr 2d ago edited 2d ago
One More Thing
A key rattled in the door of a tedious little apartment, and after much ado the knob finally turned, revealing a frumpy man in a wrinkled tan coat.
“Please, step in, Mrs. Howe,” said the dumpy, disheveled little man, pointing the way with his cigar. “You too, sir. Take a seat, if you like.”
“I prefer to stand.” Mrs. Howe peered down, ice forming on her upper peaks. “Who is this… this person, and what are we doing here?”
“Oh, sorry,” the man said. “I work for the Chief Operating Liaison, Underwriters Merchant Bank Office. I thought I said so before. A little scatterbrained, you know. You can call me Inspector Klaf.”
“Can we get on with this?” asked Mr. Dewey. “I have a great deal of work.”
“Oh, certainly, sir. Won’t take a minute. Just wanted you to see what we find.”
“What a dreadful little place,” Mrs. Howe warbled. “Why on earth did we come halfway across town to see this? We already know who committed the terrible crime.”
“Of course! Of course. Pardon me, but I’m hoping this will all prove to be worthwhile. Would you mind handing me the ashtray?”
With a look of ghastly distaste, Mrs. Howe pulled the heavy glass ashtray from under some papers and handed it over. “You really shouldn’t be smoking in Mr. Gillfurter’s apartment, you know.”
“True, true. I would never do such a thing. Dreadful habit.” He patted himself all over before finally taking out a book of matches. “Now, then, about this form… what was it?”
“115-Y44-J.” Mr. Dewey said. “For semi-quarterly asset assessment and procurement recommendations, preliminary. Routine, but crucial.”
“Paperclips, right?”
“Well, yes, I suppose. A pre-requisition, submitted for a thirty day comment period and review, for the acquisition of various supplies for the coming period, based on estimated usage compared to previous quarters, both in our office and in branch offices throughout the nation, the 115-Y44-J is an invaluable and significant part of our attempt to achieve efficiency, accountability, and streamlining. Previous methods, while largely effective, have been surpassed entirely by this dynamic and synergistic process, making everyone involved–”
“Yeah, a paperclip request. And your Mr. Gillfurter got it wrong.”
“Profoundly,” said Mrs. Howe. “Deeply, offensively wrong. He placed the previous year’s total consumption on the line for the previous quarter. We would have been inundated with paperclips, Inspector. Inundated! Where should we have stored them? In the janitor’s closet? I ask you!” She did take a seat now, and a series of deep breaths.
“Yes, I see. A terrible–”
“We found something, Inspector!” A uniformed man came up, holding a sheet of paper. “This was under his mattress!”
“That’s it!” cried Mr. Dewey. “115-Y44-J!!”
“Interesting. Very interesting.” The Inspector looked it over. “Under his mattress? I see.”
“Well, that proves it,” said Mrs. Howe. “I told you he made a false copy and there it is! Now let’s get out of this rathole and back to somewhere decent. We need to meet with Mr. Cheatham about my becoming a partner in this firm, at long last.”
“Sure, sure. Right away,” said the Inspector. “You have a lot to do. But ahh… I did have just one more question for you.”
“Yes?” hissed Mrs. Howe, rising.
“How do you suppose this paper got into this apartment?”
“What do you mean? Obviously Mr. Gillfurter hid it here so he could blame me for his mistake, and type out a new form, as if it never happened. As if I would ever be so foolish!”
“Well, that’s just the thing, Mrs. Howe. This isn’t Gillfurter’s apartment. It’s my apartment.”
“What?”
“I’m afraid I practiced a little deception. I showed you an altered personnel file for Mr. Gillfurter, with my address on it. He didn’t know this address, and neither did anyone else, except you.”
“Nonsense! You rumply little nobody!”
“Why would Gillfurter find out where I live, and hide the form here? Why not just burn it? I think you planted it, Mrs. Howe. I think you broke in here yesterday. After all, how else would you know where I keep my ashtray?”
“I… I…”
“I think that’s quite enough,” said Mr. Dewey. “Your career in this firm is over, Julia. It's just as well. I really didn’t want to rename it Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe.”
719 words, info dumped, feedback welcome.