fact or fiction
Is it a fact or is it merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores the lesser known truths in the corporate culture of Journal.
The Black Book
Dedicated to: Stefani Germanotta The boys at my school picked me up and threw me into the dumpster like I was trash, and there, in that low, dark void of a space, I found a Sine from Above. There at the bottom, rendered almost invisible in the darkness, I saw a golden glint catch the faintest trace of light that revealed a little black notebook. Despite being an unhygienic social faux pas, I took the souvenir from my impromptu dumpster diving session that day. After securing it in my bag I climbed out of the hole.
Danny FantomPublished 3 years ago in JournalThe Little Black Book
Nora was a typical 22 year old university student. Working 2 jobs to stay afloat, still living at home, has a beautiful white cat named “Poppy”, working tirelessly through her 3rd University degree, and had a university debt much larger than she thought would be possible to ever pay back. She had just gone through a very difficult break up, when she started to think that life just was not going her way. One day on her walk to work, Nora noticed what seemed to be a little black book in the pavement just ahead. Her curiosity got the better of her, because on closer inspection, this book looked very old, and the dirty leather cover was as creased as a crocodile’s back, so she picked it up to have a look. She went to flick through the pages of the book, to find that all but one page was ripped out. Her heart skipped a few beats when he read what was scribbled on the page:
Joshua WaughPublished 3 years ago in JournalThe Little Black Book
This is a story about two friends that find a strange black book found in a abandon house inside of a very old safe. A story that makes you think and questions your friends loyalty.
Blake GannPublished 3 years ago in JournalBLACK BOOKS & WHITE LINES
BLACK BOOK & WHITE LINES Written by Azaleh Artist This is a typical Monday in the month of August in New York City. Just doing the normal thing up early at 6AM walking my beautiful dogs in Riverside Park in Harlem. As I am on the way back to my apartment to get dressed to go to work. I see this black book in the trashcan on the corner of 142nd Street and Riverside Drive. I get on the downtown subway as I get off the train at 42nd Street, there again I notice another black book in the trash can on 42nd and 5th Avenue. This was very a bit strange to me because I had never paid attention to the trash cans in New York City, unless I was disposing trash myself. In both trash cans I was not disposing any trash, they just happened to be on the corners where I walk my dogs every day and where I worked.
Azaleh VillafanaPublished 3 years ago in JournalOrdinary Magic
It was cold and overcast on Marissa's last night on the job. As she hauled the garbage around the back of the building and tossed it in the dumpster something caught her eye in the dim light. It appeared to glimmer and Marissa was intrigued, getting caught up in fantasies about faeries and helpful wights, which she had a predilection for. She made her way into the tight corner between the dumpster and the building next door and had to wedge her shoulder between stacks of old pallets in order to reach the thing that now seemed lost in the shadows. She stretched her hand a far as it would go, making contact with it's smooth surface. When she brought it up into the light, she was a tad deflated to see that it was just an old notebook. Before tossing it into the garbage, her curiosity got the better of her and she decided to thumb through it. The pages were perfectly blank and totally pristine, as if it had just come off the shelf. Marissa shrugged her shoulders thinking, "I was just thinking about starting a new journal," and gesturing to the sky, she said, "thanks Universe!" She tucked the little black book into the back of her pants and went back inside to close up shop.
On The Books
Many mornings started the same, my alarm sharply wakes me from my deep slumber even though the sun has yet to shine. I slowly lift my body from my temperature perfect mattress and place my feet on the cold wooden floor, like pins, an uncomfortable sensation jolts me to my feet and on to my day. I make a b-line to the restroom not before grabbing my phone of course and like clockwork I was on to another average day. Eat. Work. Sleep. Repeat, and this pandemic wasn’t making it any better, stuck in my house, sitting through pointless zoom call where Patty insist we all have our cameras on to “keep the team virtually connected”. I had enough, ENOUGH! So one day I decided, “Heidi, let’s get physical!”. So Everyday to maintain a bit of normalcy in my life I would go on a light jog, strong emphasis on light, around my neighborhood, trust me I’m no athlete. At first I was nervous because I live in a town that borderlines downtown which is known for sketchy activities, but I had a pretty great route in mind, so I grabbed my gear and got to it.
Kat ThomasPublished 3 years ago in JournalBEWARE THE BCC OPTION
Martha sat with her head in her hands, oh why had she sent that email? What a stupid thing to have done, hadn't her mother always told her to write once and think twice before sending a letter. An email was even worse, instant stupidity shared with a multiple of random people all at once.
Lise Spence-ParsonsPublished 3 years ago in JournalSAD
My journal writings: When someone ask me how i am doing, I answer Im doing well, smile and carry on. But in reality its been two years, it seems like yesterday, i remember every moment clear as day, the hopeless confused feeling like i could have done more, the empty emotions, the crumbling of my heart and head, every day grew fast to the day that you wud leave us and knowing that i had no control of it, I couldn't stop it, i couldnt tell it to leave, push it out of my way, I had no control of anything,
andrea mattarellianoPublished 3 years ago in JournalNew Age Dragon
Vi paused outside her son’s room and looked inside. He was still sitting there at the computer. She sighed. “Jekn, dear. You really need to go outside more. It’s not healthy to be inside as much as you are. You need more sunshine and fresh air.”
Amanda MartinPublished 3 years ago in JournalBe Generous
BE GENEROUS By Traibiyah Brown India wakes up every day at 6 am and goes to work and doesn’t get off until 9pm. Sometimes later depending if her co-worker/ best friend Anna doesn’t find a reason to leave early. She has been doing that a lot lately when business is most busy. While working long shifts at a local Venue juggling full-time work and full-time mommy duties to her 6-year-old daughter. Everyday seems the same. Although her love for music is what got her hooked on becoming the new employee. Watching the many performances all day long servicing musicians from all over the world. This Venue had her intrigued, waking up every day early to put on the best clothing, accessories and fresh hair styles just to go in to work. The job was exciting. She was fascinated with the many people she would meet and dream of one day meeting a husband at the very same place in hopes of being swept away into a glamorous lifestyle of the rich and famous.
Traibiyah BrownPublished 3 years ago in JournalFruition
Beep Beep Beep Beep. “Ugh, why does the weekend go by so fast?” Josiah mumbles to himself as he rolls over and smashes the top of the alarm clock.
Virginia WilliamsPublished 3 years ago in JournalPARADISE
She took one last glance through the door at her mom and her two sons asleep on the couch. She smiled as she hefted her work bag over her shoulder and went to her car. Tonight was her first night at her new job, after the big layoff at her old job. Things have been tight and the last bit of money she had went to "work clothes". As she pulled into the parking lot, she began to shake. The bright neon sign flashed PARADISE GENTLEMENS CLUB. With no-one hiring this was her last option, and she would do anything to feed her boys. She took a deep breath and gave herself one last pep talk. As she entered it was dimly lit and the music assaulted her ears. Making her way to the dressing room doubts flooded her head. The girls, much to her surprise greeted her with smiles and introductions. Several of them sharing similar stories. It all seemed a little less scary now. As the night progressed the girls took her under their wing, and showed her the ropes. It seemed simple enough. She noticed that all the girls made a point to stop by one particular man at the bar and give him and hug and say thank you. He hadn't spent any money all night so this piqued her curiosity. She approached the man and introduced herself, her voice still trembling from her nerves. He smiled at her, "You have the eyes of a doe lost". She was surprised and caught off guard. "I'm sorry, I'm still learning the routine". He gently laughed and asked her to share her story with him. As she did she began sharing more than she intended. Before they knew it they were laughing at failed camping trip her and the boys had last summer. The man gently pulled a little black book from his inside coat pocket and asked what her name was. Nothing about the man gave her any dangerous feelings so she obliged him. Smiling he wrote her name down. He then got up from his chair and bid her a goodnight. One of the other women full of joy ran to congratulate her. "I don't understand. Why are you congratulating me?" she asked rather confused. "We call him Miracle Ben. If he takes a liking to you, your name goes in that book and wonderful things happen!" Never one to believe in such things, she brushed it off. A few days went by and she was getting used to her new nightlife job, but still applied anywhere she could. One morning she received a call from a company that she applied to. She was asked to come in for an interview that day. As she arrived she was greeted by a young man who seemed familiar. He had such a warm smile, he led her to the boss's office. The doors opened and there sat 'Miracle Ben' behind a grand desk, she was speechless. As she sat down, the young man stood by Ben. They looked so much alike, she asked "Is this your son?" Ben smiled, "Yes, this is James. I hope one day that he will continue to run my company as well and fairly as I have." "But I'm afraid that you wont be getting the job you applied to." Her heart sank... Tears welled up in her eyes and confusion and hurt flooded her. "I.. I don't understand I.." "I believe that position would be a waste of your true potential." Ben interrupted. "Instead I want to give you the sales management position, and it comes with a bonus of $20,000." The tears of joy, shock, and pure amazement poured down her face as she tried to say thank you. This was indeed the Miracle Ben.
Alice AlaricPublished 3 years ago in Journal