Security
Hazard, by
Denise Norton. (Equal 1st) Judges'
report
"Security
Hazard", by Denise Norton, is a snappy romance between a managing
director and a computer expert. The first scene sets the scene as Max Weber
and Jane Morissey meet- and clash. It's a typical
beginning for a romance, but the characters are handled with humanity and
humour, and the dialogue is crisp and fun. There are no redundancies. The
second scene shows the author equally at
home with description and exposition. Full marks.
Judges'
remarks: "I like the shape of the chapter, and how it ends."
"Clever style." "Fun and impressive."
"Professional."
EXCERPT
(1) from "Security Hazard".
“It
would be in your best interests to cooperate with us, Mr. Weber.”
He
looked at her in astonishment. Five foot four in her heels, maybe 110 pounds– was she actually threatening him?
He
decided to check, “Are you threatening me?”
Her
soft blue eyes closed briefly. She had very expressive eyes. He had the feeling
she was counting to ten.
“Mr.
Weber, I work for NatCom. We do not threaten people. We advise them.”
“And
you are advising me to cooperate with you?” Weber asked.
“I am advising you that the computer security system
you market as SAFTEE is not, er safe. I am offering
you our assistance to fix it.”
EXCERPT
(2) from "Security Hazard".
These
days Max believed in keeping up with everything that was going on in his
company. Jason Bellion had taught him that.
However
it seemed to be his morning for interruptions.
With
no knock, his door swung open and another woman breezed into the room.
This
one would never be criticized as too perfect. If nothing else, her hair
wouldn’t allow it. Thick, black and curly, it refused to stay in any style
whatsoever and had been the despair of some of Seattle’s finest hairdressers.
Because Stephanie did try. Just as she tried to dress elegantly. The suit she
was wearing today was a good example.
It
was, Max noted, very similar in style to the one worn by Ms Morissey. On his
sister, however, it didn’t look elegant. Her proportions were just not right
for it. His sister was too short and too well rounded for the clothes she loved.
And as she turned to close the door behind her, Max could see a spot of what he
guessed was raspberry jelly, undoubtedly left there by her two-year-old
daughter, Maisy.
“I
don’t know what I pay security for,” Max grumbled, “Everyone seems to just
wander into my office.”
“Who
was that?”
“Who
was what?”
“The
woman who just left. She looked like someone I used to know. In a temper though.
You two have a fight?”
“She’s
national security.”
“Sure
she is.”
“What
do you want?”
“You’re
in a temper too. Do you want to cheer yourself up by taking me to lunch?”
“Why?”
he asked nervously.
“Because
you love me?”
“You’re
my favorite sister,” Max replied. Since he only had one sister, this comment
did not gratify her unduly.
*
As
a winner, Denise wins the prize package offered at PRIZE
for 1st place.
