To: Gilbert.Reese@metropolismag.com
From: Romeo.Kingston@metropolismag.com
Subject: Operation Birthday Thing
Time: 6:47 AM
Gil,
You know how June always brings those weird Danish pastries on everyone else's birthday? The ones that taste like cardamom and childhood dreams? I found the bakery. It's this tiny place in Chinatown run by an actual Danish guy named Lars. Who moves from Copenhagen to open a bakery in Chinatown? Lars, apparently.
Thoughts on revenge-pastries?
-R
---
To: Romeo.Kingston@metropolismag.com
From: Gilbert.Reese@metropolismag.com
Subject: Re: Operation Birthday Thing
Time: 6:49 AM
It's not even 7AM. Why are you like this?
But yes. Tell me more about Lars.
-G
---
I grinned at my screen, fingers already typing.
To: Gilbert.Reese@metropolismag.com
From: Romeo.Kingston@metropolismag.com
Subject: Re: Re: Operation Birthday Thing
Time: 6:52 AM
He has a pet ferret named Magnus who sits on the counter and judges your pastry choices. Lars says Magnus has never approved of anyone's selection. Ever. He's like the Simon Cowell of the pastry world.
Also, I may have ordered 100 assorted Danish things. They'll be ready next Tuesday.
-R
---
To: Romeo.Kingston@metropolismag.com
From: Gilbert.Reese@metropolismag.com
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Operation Birthday Thing
Time: 6:54 AM
100? There are 12 people in editorial.
Did you factor in Magnus's disapproval?
-G
---
To: Gilbert.Reese@metropolismag.com
From: Romeo.Kingston@metropolismag.com
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Operation Birthday Thing
Time: 6:55 AM
Lars says Magnus might make an exception for June. Apparently, he tilted his head slightly when I showed him her picture.
Don't judge me for having her picture.
-R
---
To: Romeo.Kingston@metropolismag.com
From: Gilbert.Reese@metropolismag.com
Subject: Re: x5: Operation Birthday Thing
Time: 6:57 AM
1. Already judging
2. Why are you showing ferrets pictures of June?
3. How many pictures do you have?
4. Does this connect to the journal situation?
5. Have you slept?
-G
---
I stared at my coffee cup, now empty. The morning sun hadn't even properly risen.
To: Gilbert.Reese@metropolismag.com
From: Romeo.Kingston@metropolismag.com
Subject: Re: x6: Operation Birthday Thing
Time: 7:01 AM
1. Fair
2. Magnus required references
3. No comment
4. We don't talk about the journal situation
5. Sleep is for people who don't have to organize revenge-pastries
Also, Lars wants to know her favorite flavor. Options are:
- Cardamom Dream
- Copenhagen Morning
- Baltic Sunrise
- Magnus's Revenge (don't ask)
-R
---
To: Romeo.Kingston@metropolismag.com
From: Gilbert.Reese@metropolismag.com
Subject: Re: x7: Operation Birthday Thing
Time: 7:03 AM
Please tell me you didn't create a spreadsheet tracking her pastry preferences.
-G
---
To: Gilbert.Reese@metropolismag.com
From: Romeo.Kingston@metropolismag.com
Subject: Re: x8: Operation Birthday Thing
Time: 7:04 AM
It's more of a pie chart.
Get it? Pie chart? For pastries?
I'll show myself out.
-R
---
To: Romeo.Kingston@metropolismag.com
From: Gilbert.Reese@metropolismag.com
Subject: Re: x9: Operation Birthday Thing
Time: 7:05 AM
Go to sleep.
Also, she likes cardamom. You wrote about it in your journal. Twice.
-G
---
To: Gilbert.Reese@metropolismag.com
From: Romeo.Kingston@metropolismag.com
Subject: Re: x10: Operation Birthday Thing
Time: 7:06 AM
How do YOU know what's in my journal?
Wait.
Did Dave share the files?
Is everyone reading them?
Should I move to Denmark and become Lars's apprentice?
-R
---
To: Romeo.Kingston@metropolismag.com
From: Gilbert.Reese@metropolismag.com
Subject: Re: x11: Operation Birthday Thing
Time: 7:08 AM
1. You read me the cardamom entries. Both times. At 2AM.
2. Magnus wouldn't approve of you anyway
3. We're going to need a bigger email chain for this plan
4. Go to sleep
-G
---
I reached for my coffee cup again, forgetting it was empty. The sun was finally up, painting my desk with strips of gold. Somewhere in Chinatown, a ferret named Magnus was probably judging someone's breakfast choices.
To: Gilbert.Reese@metropolismag.com
From: Romeo.Kingston@metropolismag.com
Subject: Re: x12: Operation Birthday Thing
Time: 7:15 AM
Fine. But first, help me make a list of who to include.
Not June, obviously.
That would be a disaster.
-R
My finger hovered over the send button, unaware that I was about to prove exactly how much of a disaster it could be.
YOU ARE READING
Notes From The Cubicle Next Door
FanficWhat's harder: keeping a secret identity or hiding an office crush? My life as a digital entertainment writer at the Daily Planet is pretty standard - deadlines, coffee runs, and trading notes with Clark Kent from the next cubicle over. I know Perry...
