Rabbid Guy

Feeling Hazy

Today was his first day at his new position: Finance manager for Big Hope Cancer Research. He stepped foot in his new office for the first time with his desk supplies piled up in his arms. He let the items drop on his desk before going back to turn on the lights. A whole room to himself with a window too. From here he could see the research lab connected to the offices. He wasn't much of a lab guy, but the lab did need a numbers guy to organize funds.

He was going to be very comfortable being paid nearly double than what he had before. As long as he kept this up, he would live a smart and proper life absent of chaos.

He sorted through his pens and supplies quickly so that he could get started on the important part.

Of the supplies was a small toy.

A little artistic model of a combat robot named Bulwark, his very own robot design.

It was a sort of flat remote control square with four wheels, a front plow, and a spinning disk weapon made to cut through other people's robots. It had been nearly four years since he had anything to do with building combat robots, but there was a reason. He dropped the toy into his desk drawer and closed it.

Robot combat was fun, but it was time he made a living.

He logged into his computer to face the overflow of financial issues. This was the beginning, fulfilling his destiny. Nine hours a day, five days a week, from 6am till 3pm did he part.

Or at least, that was what was initially expected.
He looked at the clock. It was just now 2pm. He sighed. One more hour and he would be home.
A knock on his door. Without even asking permission a man peeked in.

"...Need anything sir?" Guy asked, sitting up straight. He recognized the intruder as Roman Walsh, the general manager slightly above his position.
"Well yes actually. It's been a while since we've had somebody with your job, and you've probably already noticed that there's a lot to get done," Walsh said.

"That there is," Guy said. There was barely a thought behind the statement. The conversation was already more exhausting than counting sheep or being dead.
"Good, well we were wondering if you wouldn't mind staying a few extra hours to help get our financial reports back up to date?" Walsh said.

"Uh, how many hours are you asking?" Guy asked.
"Well uh just up until seven o'clock," Walsh avoided eye contact.

Guy was stung by the idea of working three more hours after being so close to finishing for the day, but who would he be if he said no? There was so much left to be done. Somebody had to do it, and hey, being flexible was something companies liked in an employee. It was his first day at a new position. Surely he was reliable enough to pull his weight.

"Sure," Guy shrugged.
"Really?" Walsh asked.
"Yeah, I'll do it," Guy glanced back at his computer.

"Oh thank you, thank you! I really appreciate this Guy!! You don't know how much we need this! Ok ok, I'll leave you to it! Thank you again, really," Walsh cheered before slipping out.

Appreciated!
It hurt to know he was going to be here for four more hours, but he was making a difference. Maybe it was worth the sacrifice to be seen as reliable in his new position.

Little did he know this was far from a one off occurrence.

The next day, Walsh popped in again to ask the very same thing. Guy's heart sank heavy, but he understood how much work still had to be done. His time wouldn't be for nothing.