Lunch

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October 7, 2013, 11:55 AM

"I'm telling you Kori, the man has it in for me," I whisper.

"I know and I feel so bad for you Percy, I wish I could help," Kori whispers back sympathetically. "But I'm not an engineer."

We're huddled at the small coffee station in a little alcove around the corner from my cubicle and also the office of the slimeball we're talking about. Yeah, that slimeball is also known as Nigel. And he has lorded over us for the last three months, ever since Carlton installed him as the department head.

"I swear this is retaliation for my not getting jiggy with him at last year's holiday party." I shudder at the memory. "And his wife was there! Sleezeball. He thinks he's God's gift to women."

"But you reported it to HR right?"

"Of course," I reply, "but HR just documented it in his file and told me if he tries anything again to report it immediately and they will have enough to take real action." I think back to the meeting in the board room where Carlton practically anointed Nigel our new boss even before he fired poor Mr. Noble. I shrug. "Whatever that means."

Kori perks up. "Well, the good news is the Corona Castle bid is due the end of this week. That should give you a break, right?"

I shrug. "I hope so, but with Lord Farquaad ruling the department, who knows. I know I've only had three Sundays off in the past three months. It's like Nigel has me chained to my desk, throwing one set of drawings after another at me. My life, my total existence, is this fricking office," I spit out the last words, along with a little ... spit.

Kori's head flinches back reflexively.

"Oh, sorry Kori," I giggle. "I didn't mean ..."

"Percy!" a male voice roars so loud I think they could probably hear it in the lobby seven floors down.

Kori and I both startle at the vocal imposition.

"Lunch in thirty?" I ask quickly.

Kori rapidly nods assent.

I give her a quick thumbs up, dash around the corner and hustle straight into Mr. Noble's old office. I still can't bring myself to call it Nigel's office.

"Yes sir," I say crisply.

Nigel motions to a stack of drawings on the worktable that is positioned perpendicular to the substantial desk he's lounging behind. "Estimating needs takeoffs from that set by tomorrow morning."

I stare forlornly at the large bound set of drawings piled on his table. There must be at least fifty in the set.

"Uh, Nigel, that's gonna take all night. Is there anyone ..."

"Well then you'd better get cracking."

I sigh. "Yes sir." I drop my head, gather up the armful of drawings from the worktable and shuffle out to my cubicle.

"And Percy," Nigel calls out after me, "no mistakes! This bid's gotta be tight, tight tight."

I drop the drawings onto my desk and slump into my chair. It promptly shoots back into Victoria's cubicle wall, followed closely by a crash.

"Hey!"

"Sorry Victoria," I mumble.

"Pssst." It's Kori from her desk.

I look over at her. Kori's smiling, obviously trying to lift my spirits. She motions with her head to the clock on the wall behind her and starts subtly mouthing a countdown from ten.

I look at the clock and smile back. It's noon. And right on cue, as if he was included in our silent countdown, when Kori hits one Nigel slinks out of his office.

"Lunch," he says tersely as he passes Kori's desk, pushes through the department security door, and heads to the elevator.

Now it's my turn. I take my phone and set the timer for five minutes. I look over at Kori and smile mischievously.

Five minutes later, and seconds after the alarm goes off, there's a metallic click coming from Victoria's cubicle. It's her compact snapping shut. Seconds later ...

A newly painted and freshened Victoria emerges from around her cubicle. She hurries past Kori and out through the security door, "Lunch," trailing behind her.

Kori and I both laugh. They think they're so clever. "And there ladies and gentlemen," Kori announces in a mock emcee's voice, "you have just observed the daily mating ritual of the Prick and the Skank. Come back at 1:15 to witness the return." She giggles. "Oh, and of course same time tomorrow."

I turn back to my desk and see the drawings. I can practically feel the chain chafing around my ankle.

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