My Word-of-the-Day Challenge

Directions: Use the Word of the Day from Merriam-Webster.com from the month of August in a scene; each day’s post must be a continuation of the previous day’s post.

Word count limit: 150 words

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August 3, 2021, Merriam-Webster Word of the Day: berate (v.)

Definition:

: to scold or condemn vehemently and at length

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Bjorn straightened, recovering quickly. “‘Huntsman’ is an archaic term,” he said. “I’m a special community officer. My name Sergeant Bjorn Rackham.” He offered a gloved hand.

The man stared at the hand in disbelief before looking up at him. “Will I be arrested for touching you?”

Bjorn frowned. “Of course not.”

“I’m Roar Saj, which you already knew because, well…” After a hesitant handshake, the man took a step back. “You wouldn’t be following me otherwise. And, er, ‘special community’ officer? That’s nice. It’s much more diplomatic.”

“It’s been the job title for the last twenty years, sir.”

Roar’s fine brows arched. “Then you should tell the other special community officers that because I don’t think they know. May I ask what happened to your predecessor? I thought it was odd when Sergeant Glassman hadn’t cornered me for my weekly berating.”

word count: 141