Where were you?

Monday

The alarm sent vibrations through his skull as Dimi groans, arm waving to shut the damned thing off.
"Dimi, you gotta get up bud," his partner calls from the kitchen.

"Ugh...Fuckin' monday..." with a sigh that carried the weight of his burden, he heaved himself out of bed.

Click.

Poking his head out from the toilet, he saw the empty hallway leading up to the front door and rolled his eyes. "Bye," he mumbled under his foamy breath and spat in the sink.

Entering the kitchen, he noticed the empty coffee machine and the unmade breakfast.

Sure, why bother making any for me, I'm not a morning person anyway..

He changed into his office suit and spritzed some cologne before petting his marble dog and leaving the apartment for work.

"Watch it, moron!" A driver honked angrily as Dimi crossed the road a tad bit early, and flipped a finger.

Fuckin' people. Why's everyone so angry these days..

The way to work was, uneventful. Crammed, stank of stale cigarettes, sweat and old cum, but uneventful.

Thank fuckin' god.

"Dimi, you're late! Again!" Mr Agnostic shouted across the floor.

"Yeah, uh, sorry 'bout that. Again," Dimi called back and headed to his cubicle.

"Get in my office, now."

Fuck.

Knock knock.

"Hey bossman," Dimi hovered at the door, leaning against its frame.

"Get in here, close the door, have a seat," Bossman instructed, lighting a cigarette.

Dimi did as he was told and slouched in the prickly office chair.

"I've told you this before Dim boy, if you need help, you need to ask." Bossman sucked in a puff and blew towards the closed window.

"I don't need help, appreciate the concern, but I'm fine," Dimi reached over to the packet.

"Feck off!" Bossman smacked his hand away and shut the packet in the his drawer. "You can't afford an addiction."

Dimi clicked his teeth. "Is that all you called me in for?"

"No, Dimi," he sighed out a huge puff. "People are starting to talk. Or well, they've been talking. They say I've been giving you way too many chances, letting you off when I would've fired someone else months ago," he took another long drag.

"I get it. I would say the same, to be fair," Dimi sighed heavily and sank further into the uncomfortable chair. "But this job, ain't for me. I hate it here, no offense - I'm just here for the money. The tiny little amount I'm paid..."

Bossman looked at Dimi, long and hard.

"See, this is why you need help," Bossman finally said, stuffing his cigarette into his buried ashtray before lighting another.

Dimi groaned. "Again, appreciate the concern-"

"This isn't just about you dammit!" Bossman slammed the table with his hand. "I have a business to run and a board to answer to. I've extended patience, and a hand, but if you won't help yourself, there's nothing else I can do. As it were, you're just waiting to get fired."

Dimi kept quiet.

"This is the last and final time, I will help you. Go get fucking help and be better, or I will have no other damned choice but to fire you," Bossman smashed his cigarette into the ash pile.

Dimi didn't move.

"Did you hear me, Dimi?" Bossman asked, slow and deliberate, puffing out yet another smoke.

"Y'know what bossman, just fire me now," Dimi deadpanned, staring him in the eye.

"You sure?" Bossman took a drag as he waited.

"Yeah, no sense in dragging you down with me. For what it's worth, probably not much, but thanks for...well, everything," Dimi stood up and extended his hand.

Bossman leaned back in his chair and looked up at him. Then stood up and took out his cigarette. "Well, boy-o, I can't say it's been a pleasure," he took Dimi's hand gave it a firm shake. "I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for. But please, don't call me for drinks."

"'s fair," Dimi held both hands up. He turned to the door and opened it, pausing for a moment before turning back. "Thanks, Robert," he said over his shoulder, and walked out, closing the door behind him.

He could feel the stares of his co-workers. He took his suitcase and hung it over his shoulder, taking one last look at the ashen grey, white lit room.

Huh, didn't think I would miss this place at all. Fuck it, I don't.

As he walked towards the exit, he turned back one last time to the office, "fuck all y'all, I'm out."