The Individuals

Story#18: Elastic Man

It's amazing! It's wonderful!

***

Splashing.

Waves of green water clashed.

Clouds came and soaked it all up.

Over a city, the water dripped down out of the clouds and pelted the buildings below.

In front of a bookstore, a man sat at a table out front. This man's name was Kevin Beofree. Copies of the book he worked so hard to write stacked on either side of him, forming two large pillars. Ever since he conceived the story, he just knew the book would be a hit. He knew it would sell well and he would go down in history. He could already hear the cries of praise.

He firmly believed this all. So as he sat there with a wide friendly smile stretched across his face, feeling the cold wind and rain hit him despite being undercover, and seeing hordes of people shadowed by umbrellas pass him by without even a single glance, he couldn't help but wonder why he had yet to sell a single copy.

***

"...Beofree...?"

"...Beofree...?"

"...Beofree...!"

" Mr. Beofree, wake up!"

Shooting awake, I looked up and was immediately met with the disgruntled face of my boss, Mr. Win.

" Look, I know you've been having some rough days, but as your boss, I can't allow you to sleep on the job. Since you were one of my best employees, I'm willing to let you take off the next few days in order to get yourself together, but if you want to keep this job, you're going to have to start shaping up." Mr. Win said, letting out a sigh.

Shut up, old man.

" I understand Mr. Win. Thank you for the offer, but I'll be fine." I told him, standing up from my seat and sliding by him.

Walking through the office, past others' cubicles, I tiredly made my way to the break room. Heading inside, I went straight for the coffee machine. Standing in front of it, I could see two women chattering to each other with piping-hot cups in their hands. I've seen them around the office before, but we've never shared any words. Neither were anything special and were what you would expect from a woman.

Walking up to them, as I came to a stop, I shot a glare down at them.

Turning and noticing me, one of them uttered, " Oh, are we in your way? Sorry about that!"

The two stepped to the side, making a path for me. Stepping forward, I grabbed one of the styrofoam cups and began to pour myself a hot cup of coffee. But as I watched the machine empty its contents into my cup, before it was even halfway full, the stream came to a stop. It was out.

Stealing a glance at the two women, I could see that their cups were filled to the brim.

Walking back to my desk with my not-even-full cup, I cliqued my tongue at them as I passed by.

Bitches.

Arriving at my desk, I slid down into my seat and stared blankly at the computer. Charts and docs, among other things, littered the screen. My mind was not in the mood to try to make sense of any of it at the moment.

What's the point of working, if I'm still a nobody at the end of the day? Someone like me shouldn't be stuck in a hellhole like this... I deserve so much better than all these nobodies.