Irony Strikes Back. The lesson? Don't mock what you don't understand.

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Sherri’s eyes flicked across the words on the dull, humming computer screen with something akin to disgust. “Ugh,” she grimaced to her coworker, “I hate it when they do that.”

Karrol sighed, used to these sporadic little comments and politely replied, “What?” She didn’t particularly care what Sherri had to complain about, but it was better to ask than to be forced into asking by Sherri herself. Having a coworker like Sherri was not a walk in the park. It was more like a rapid, feigned-nonchalant saunter away from a grizzly bear…in said park.

Karrol’s halfhearted tone was quite obvious, but Sherri was like-wise indifferent, “ The ‘a mysterious shadow flitted across the window…’ conclusion for a chapter. I mean, how lame is that? What’s that supposed to do, keep me in suspense until I…oh, what’s that? I click ‘next’??”

Sherri was reading fan fictions again. Her obsession with the website was mind numbingly inexplicable, as was her need to point out every blossoming writer’s flaw.

Personally, Karrol kind of liked a little suspense here and there, her life being as bland as it was. Still, it was better to agree with the grizzly bear and try to work with it than scream profanities and wave her arms frantically.

“Very lame,” Karrol replied flatly, because she knew that that was what Sherri wanted to hear. The digits at the bottom of her computer screen flickered to read six o’clock sharp.

Thanking whatever strange, sentient being lived above and lorded over all, Karrol decided it was time to leave. With a grunt she flipped off her computer and heaved herself out of her chair. “Well, I’m calling it a day.”

“Ok,” Sherri replied, clicking away with her mouse, “Have a nice evening.”

Karroll muttered something unintelligible before lumbering out of the office.

Behind Sherri, a mysterious shadow flitted across the window…

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Now for a little irony appreciation. It is a difficult concept to grasp. A lot of people go around going, "Ha! That's ironic!," about a situation when really, it's not. Trust me, I've seen it. I've heard it. I've screwed up, too.

Irony:

(1) an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected (This is the one that I decided to play hopscotch with.)
(2) the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning (This is a BIG one.)
(3) a technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated (Subtle nuance definition, bear with me.)
(4) an objectively sardonic style of speech or writing (Mph, very fond of this one. Check out The Long Lost Hero, one of my newer fics.)

Alright. That was a little painful, I'll admit.

Please Review! I love hearing from people! By the way, I'm not considering in any way tossing a kitchen knife at anyone that doesn't review. KOFF.

Ahem, excuse me.