Writing Prompt: Write in the perspective of a coffee maker that short-circuited. As soon as I saw this, I knew it was destined for CM FanFiction! Their break room coffee maker has been a basic source of nutrition for the team, so what happens when their dependable friend is out of service?
For years I had been used in this office, every day by every person like clockwork. I felt my number was up months ago, but the budget pushed me as far as I could go for as long as I could go. Well beyond the life expectancy of the average coffee pot, and an out-of-date model none the less, I should have been replaced a long time ago. Or at least before disaster occurred. That morning, there was a sharp POP and a flash of light, and nevermore would I make my delicious brown drink for the patrons of this place.
As usual, the first to force me to life and squeeze every bit of coffee out of me (only to be drowned with an inexcusable amount of sugar, I might add), was Dr. Spencer Reid. He opened my top and placed the filter in, faithfully completing the steps to award him with a steaming mug of deliciousness, before noting that the light would not turn on. No hot water combined with the coffee bean powder.
He gasped, horrified, and rushed out, to return about 15 minutes later with an annoyed looking Aaron Hotchner, or "Hotch," as they referred to him. He examined me a moment before mimicking his horrified expression.
"What do we do?" Reid said. "I can't go all day without my coffee!"
Hotch placed a calming hand on his shoulder, though his expression was less than calm. "It's okay, maybe we can fix this . . ." but there was little hope in his voice.
Just then, Morgan came in. "I thought you'd be in here," he joked, still oblivious to the crime at hand.
"Morgan, there's something wrong with the coffee maker!" Reid exclaimed, and Morgan pulled the third horrified expression before rushing over to it.
He fiddled around with my mechanisms for a moment. "Come on, baby, work for me," he said soothingly, as though the sultry sound of his voice was enough to jump start me.
Prentiss came in next, followed by JJ, and I awaited their own horrified expressions. They didn't disappoint when Morgan told them the news.
"Oh, no, if I don't get any coffee, I'll fall asleep at my desk!" JJ complained.
"At least you don't have Reid sitting five feet away from you," Prentiss said. "Remember, Morgan, when we were out of coffee, and we had to send the maintenance guy for some? I could handle ten minutes without coffee, but Reid succeeded in making it the worst ten minutes of my life."
"That's not true! There's no way you could know that! And it wasn't that bad! I was just a little crabby!" Reid defended, confirming Prentiss's rant. Once Rossi and Garcia came in and heard the news, I had seen the same horrified face on each of the team members. Reid once said that you mimic the faces of those you are around a lot. He was right.
I was able to enjoy the last few moments of my life listening to the team banter about what to do, except for Reid, who was banging his head against the table throughout the entire exchange.
"I told you, we should've replace that thing months ago!" Rossi said.
"It wasn't in the budget," Hotch said.
"One of us should just buy one!" Prentiss said.
"I don't want coffee that bad," Morgan joked.
"I'll do it, I'll get another coffee maker!" Garcia said.
"Go, Garcia, I'm sure Hotch won't mind," JJ said.
"Of course, just hurry," Hotch said. They all looked at him, usually the calm, collected one of the group. "In case Strauss sees, of course," he said, covering it up. They sat in silence, waiting for their friend (which could mean Garcia or the new coffee maker), all aware that no work could get done under the circumstances.
Garcia rushed in almost half an hour later with a large box containing a new, up-to-date model. It was black and silver, very impressive looking. I was pushed aside, replaced by the new machine.
Reid got to work memorizing the thick handbook it came with at the speed only a genius could match. Morgan unfolded the setup instructions and began ordering his colleagues about how to arrange the complicated apparatus. Garcia and JJ stole away with the bubble wrap, content knowing the others would provide coffee momentarily.
When it was finished, Reid went first, chugging down his cup as everyone else got there's before getting in for a second one and going back to work, as though nothing had happened.
Taking a break for NaNoWriMo, will try to upload sometime in December.