Sam Joven was given a simple task that should've taken a few minutes. When delayed by unaccountable circumstances and taking a full day, could he really tell his the truth or should he tell a lie?
He hurried back to Mr. Goldbin's counting house. Sam had a sinking feeling of what he was going to expect when he returned. He summarized the possibilities that Quinton Goldbin would not believe him. However there was nothing he could have done to change what had happened to him. He could lie to his boss that he was beaten up by thugs and was left in an alley for several hours. He knew that it would be impossible because Sam Joven never told a lie and wanted to be truthful all the time. He was nervous but confident that he had at least done what his boss had told him to do and had returned.
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Sam arrived at the counting house. He brushed himself as best he could and tried to straighten out all the wrinkles of his shirt and jacket. He entered the counting house and made a quick sigh of relief. He hurriedly made his way to his desk trying to avoid the stares from his fellow workers. "Mr. Joven!" a stern voice called out through the counting house. Sam began to sweat as approached his boss' office. He entered and closed the door. "Mr. Joven," Mr. Goldbin began in his harsh voice, "I thought I told you to just deliver a simple packet and be right back. I didn't expect you to take the day off and waste my time!" "But, sir," Sam began trying to defend himself. "Don't, but sir, me!" Mr. Goldbin huffed, cutting Sam off, "How is it possible to run a business with people I can't even trust? How is this business going to even thrive after my bones are in the ground? Aye? What do you have to say for yourself? Poor excuses will never feed the lions." With this Mr. Goldbin folded his arms and waited for Sam Joven to explain his absence. After summing up some courage to do the thing he knew was best knowing how strange it was going to be, Sam cleared his throat and broke the silence. He slowly and carefully related in detail what had happened from his UFO abduction, his travel to and from the Conflict Phase. It was unclear for Sam how much Mr. Goldbin reacted to it. Mr. Goldbin remained stone-faced and unmoved from his position during Sam Joven's wild but true story. And Sam wondered if Mr. Goldbin's eyebrow twitched as he described the Futurebobs. Sam, as he expected from his boss, received a huff. "That's a likely story," Mr. Goldbin grumbled after checking his cold hard brass pocket watch, "I don't believe it! Since you wasted my time and my day you may leave this establishment now and forever. I do not want liers or time wasters in my company. So leave this instant and come back tomorrow to pick up your things!" After this, Sam Joven left Mr Goldbin's office in a trance. Sam couldn't believe he was fired from his job. Not only was he stunned by being fired from his position, his boss called him a liar. He thought his boss knew he was an honest and reliable employee. And now he was called a liar and fired the same day. However, deep down inside after thinking at the possibilities of a once in a lifetime job offer and a chance to see other Phases of Bombboblia. He remained true to his assignment and did it with full integrity. This gave him peace and the assurance he was still loyal and true to himself. BobBen chimed a quarter past five o'clock outside. Sam turned around and reached for his hat, as it was his customary habit. He was startled at the touch of this hat there on the peg. He looked at it hard and touched it again. He knew he had lost his hat in the spaceship but couldn't imagine how it could end up back in its customary spot. He checked the inside headband and sure enough writen in high unerasable ink was his initials S J. Sam placed his hat on and slowly made his way home.
