Julian Boote

"The Apocalypse has begun… and there’s no clocking off."

Jim’s holiday has ended oddly. People are acting weird, and his girlfriend, Ruthie, has made the strange decision she prefers a weekend working in her office over his company. But if that’s odd, Jim’s first day back at his job reveals just how weird the world has become in his absence. All his colleagues are fixated on getting their work done… and pronto. Jim is also pressed to use a new computer app.; Benny The Bee – the latest in neuro-linguistic programming, guaranteed to boost anyone’s productivity.

But Benny is addictive – dangerously so. Once stung, you can’t stop working. You don’t want to stop. Ever. And Jim realises that Ruthie has been stung.

The word “deadline” quickly takes on a new and frightening meaning as those exposed to the app. become increasingly unhinged and violent. Can Jim avoid being stung by Benny The Bee? Can he figure out a way to rescue Ruthie from Benny’s addictive influence? And will Jim’s colleagues even let him out the office alive?

It look’s like Jim’s first day back at work is going to be his last.

Crazy Busy is a disturbing urban nightmare (9,000 words) about the modern work ethic which asks, “Just what might happen if work really ruled all our lives?”