The Little Death

Chapter I: The Ride Home

KUO-NPR radio and television news were at it again; frenzied by the tragedy worldwide and salivating at being the first to headline before the 12 o'clock news. As Seattle lived up to its wet and dreary reputation, the employees of NPR wigged out over choice picks for tomorrow's top storyline. The end of day deadline was quickly approaching, and no one had a workable finish product to speak of.

NPR's research arena directed by Mark DO (Do Kyungsoo) and Amieri Kim, had experienced a tremendous set back due to the rolling blackouts caused by the unseasonably hot weather the week before. The team was severely behind leaving everyone stressed and ready to bark at anyone who caused further delays. The research team consisted of reporters, researchers, drafters, editors, and illustrators.

The last hours of the workday had finally arrived as Amieri sat in her office checking over the scripts for the Rise & Shine morning show scheduled for Saturday morning at 6 am.

As the Co-director thought to herself, she revisited the events of the past eight hours. Mr. DO had jumped down Amieri's throat multiple times about finding him a competent assistant; after the new intern handed him an inactive file. Amieri knew that his irrational response to the situation was due to stress, but she did not appreciate him questioning her abilities.

'We don't have the time to train a new person, just for Kyungsoo to find a problem with them a week later, Amieri thought to herself.' 'I need to remember to tell Sheena how to avoid him for a while.' 'This guy is always on his menstrual!'

The red indicator light started flashing rapidly pulling her attention away from her inner dialog temporarily. "Damn, why is Kyungsoo calling me, she voiced out loud as the light changed to blue indicating that her secretary transferred the call directly to her?" "I am sure this is the twentieth time he has called me today."

The ringing persisted as she lamented about the repeated harassment from her boss. "Amieri, please tell me that the illustration team has finished the mockups for the cover, DO asked with a hint of urgency in his voice?" "Yes!" "The mocks are headed your way as we speak." Amieri sat in her black leather chair, rolling her eyes while letting the phone hang loosely in her hand as she listened to her bosses blubbering about deadlines.

She was thoroughly not interested in what Kyungsoo had to say and resorted to thinking up snarky comebacks like, "This is not Korea Mr. DO!" "Go get laid!" " Go bounce on..." She shook her head on the last internal comment not bothering to let the last word enter her thought stream. Finally, the day drew to a much-needed end with all deadlines met.

Drawing the blinds shut and clearing her desk of the aftermath, Amieri stopped to take in the view of her two-hundred and fifty square foot office with a sense of accomplishment. "Amieri, a voice interrupted!" She turned to find Sheena standing at the threshold of her office threatening to cross the invisible barrier.

Amieri blinked rapidly to bring herself back to reality and automatically answered with a question. "What can I do for you?" Sheena rushed in taking Amieri quick reply as an invitation. "Mr.DO is going to fire me!" "Why, Amieri asked with her left eyebrow raised?" "I accidentally gave him the wrong file this morning containing an inactive account, and he told me that I set him back a day's work." "I don't know what to do or say to get back in his good graces, Amieri!" "Sheena, don't worry about it." "Mr.Do will have forgotten by tomorrow morning." "So, go home and enjoy your weekend and keep up the good work." Sheena smiled at her supervisor briefly and stepped in for a hug. Amieri stiffened at this awkward display of affection. With her arms now pinned to her side, she patted Sheena on the back awkwardly and quickly pulled herself free of the girl. With a side frown on her face, she spoke. "You may leave now, but next time, please reframe from any form of inappropriate attachment while in a professional setting." Sheena quickly nodded and backed out of the office. Amieri exhaled slowly and continued to pack her things, as the stress from the day tingled actively in her shoulder blades.