The Forgotten Flush

    By ittu.

    The Forgotten Flush cover image

    29 Feb, 2024

    a painting of a pattern of different colors and shapes of squares and rectangles on a white background, postminimalism, a watercolor painting, Annabel Kidston, watercolor

    The morning started off typically, I was ready for my new job opportunity. The office was modern and comfortable, an idyllic workspace. The vibe was exciting and I was thrilled to be a part of it.

    a painting of a man sitting at a desk with a cup of coffee in his hand and a book in his other hand, american scene painting, an ultrafine detailed painting, F. Scott Hess, professional digital painting

    The manager, a middle-aged man with a welcoming smile, offered me a cup of coffee. It was so good, I couldn't resist but gulp it down in no time.

    a man in a suit and tie standing in a room with a desk and a window with a view of the city, academic art, an ultrafine detailed painting, Chris LaBrooy, in gouache detailed paintings

    As I was filling out my onboarding paperwork, I felt a sudden urge to use the bathroom. I excused myself and made my way to the restroom.

    a bathroom with two sinks and a toilet in it with a chandelier hanging from the ceiling and paintings on the walls, modern european ink painting, a digital rendering, Enguerrand Quarton, photo realism

    The restroom was as luxurious as the rest of the office. It was sparkling clean and smelled fresh, thanks to the Poo Pourri. I was truly impressed.

    a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and mirror in it's corner and a chandelier, photorealism, a watercolor painting, Diego Gisbert Llorens, detailed painting

    After a while, I finished my business and washed my hands. I admired the restroom once more before walking out, forgetting a crucial step - to flush.

    a man sitting at a desk in front of a computer monitor and a laptop computer on a desk with a lamp, american scene painting, an ultrafine detailed painting, David Brewster, professional digital painting

    Back at my desk, I continued with my paperwork. I was so engrossed that I didn't realize my mistake until a coworker entered the restroom.

    a painting of a woman with a blue apron and a white shirt and a blue apron and a red and yellow splattered background, figurative art, a watercolor painting, Artgerm, stanley artgerm lau

    She was a young woman with a cheerful disposition. Her smile quickly faded when she discovered the unflushed mess in the restroom.

    a painting of a man and woman walking down a hallway together, with a man in a suit and tie, serial art, a painting, F Scott Hess, official art

    She came out of the restroom, her face flushed. She whispered something to the manager, pointing towards the restroom. My heart sunk.

    a painting of a man in a suit and tie smiling at the camera with blood dripping all over the walls behind him, american scene painting, a watercolor painting, Douglas Robertson Bisset, watercolor

    The manager went to inspect the restroom. The look on his face when he came out was a mix of shock and disgust. I wanted to disappear.

    a room with a desk, laptops and a book shelf with books on it and a painting of a landscape, photorealism, a digital rendering, Evgeny Lushpin, professional digital painting

    The office was silent except for the whispers and stifled laughter. I tried to pretend like I didn't know what was going on, but it was clear that everyone knew.

    a painting of a man in a tie and some people in a room with paintings on the walls and a table with paintbrushes, american scene painting, a detailed painting, F. Scott Hess, official art

    The manager and the coworker started looking for a plunger. The situation was becoming a comedy of errors. I wished the ground would swallow me up.