Chapter 5
Marc was in real estate and had recently been working on a small project for the firm. Late one evening, Mr. Miller (the boss) came along to his office for a quiet chat. Miller’s large frame fitted snugly into the armchair opposite his desk and the wide grin across his fleshy face slowly faded, leaving a serious, even somber expression. A well chewed cigar hung from the corner of his mouth and he puffed on it, nonchalantly filling the small room with wreaths of blue smoke. He crossed his legs at the knees, removed the cigar from his mouth and held it between thumb and first finger of his right hand. His greasy hair was lubricated with an over-kill of wax and combed back tightly into a ponytail. Eventually he opened his mouth to speak.
“Hi, Marc; how is it going today? I hear the project is completely under control and, uh… you’re feeling well I hope?”
Marc looked up from the papers on his desk. “Well, yes it is. Just slightly confused with a certain area of it, but it shouldn’t be a problem, sir.” He took in Mr Miller’s straight face. “Was there something you wanted?”
“Not really…” he sniggered as he spoke and Marc sensed there was something on the guy’s mind; something unpleasant. He cringed inwardly but kept his composure and said nothing.
“I did come to tell you something, though. You see, there have been rumors about your attitude in the workplace.”
Marc allowed himself to raise one eyebrow but still kept silent.
“I have been told by one of the young women here that you are... well, a bit of an office flirt, I suppose,” Miller continued. “Charlene, the receptionist, told me you pinched her ass, to put it bluntly.” He thrust his face towards Marc. “You know you can’t do that in a workplace, are you trying to get yourself fired? You’ve had two warnings already, it’s a very serious matter now, and I have to deal with it professionally.” He took a long drag on his cigar and the obnoxious grin came creeping back.
Marc was in shock; he still said nothing and the silence hung in the room as heavily as the cigar smoke. He hated cigar smoke; it made him feel sick and he just wanted to get out. Though Marc felt he should fight for his job, he felt embarrassed. It was true he had been given a couple of warnings already and he supposed this was pretty much it. He knew what he was doing at work was wrong but he never thought he’d get caught… that stupid Charlene should have kept her godammed mouth shut. He didn’t realise it would come to this. And if Rachel found out, then they would have to sell up; he’d have to work in some retail store, or worse, become a menial worker. No, he couldn’t sink that low. He stared back at the grinning face and cleared his throat.
“I don’t believe this, you know me… you know I have a wife! And that Charlene, don’t even get me started on her, she’s a cow! She loves spreading rumors like this, she just wants the attention, in my opinion!”
“How dare you talk about her like that, you lying fucker!”
“Sorry? What did you just call me? I’m going to report you to the head office, you asshole! You’ve not given me one chance to explain myself yet!”
“Go ahead…be my guest! But don’t expect to come back to a job afterwards. I was going to give you another chance, Marc, but that’s it… you’re fired. Now get out of here before I have to throw you out myself!”
“My pleasure…” Marc quickly collected his belongings and left the building without talking to anyone. He took the subway to Manhattan, left it at Fifth Avenue and that was where it all started.
* * * * *
“What I can get you, pal?” ‘Jeez, he looks awful…’
“Whiskey, the bottle.” He wanted the lot, anything to take his mind off today.
