Apple Corps.

Smoke breaks

Paul was keeping his nose down and trying to get back to work but nearly everyone in the office was staring at the conference room. It wasn't even that entertaining because all they could hear was muffled arguments and the occasional shout. Cynthia had dragged John into the room without so much as talking to Mr. Epstein about it. But Paul had other things he could worry about, like making Mr. Epstein's appointments.

The bang is what pulled Mr. Epstein from his office and stomped him right up to the door. He gave three sharp bangs but the door didn't open. "If this door isn't opened in five seconds John,  I will be forced-"

Brian was cut off there when the door flung open to reveal a tired looking Cynthia. John stood behind her, cheekily grinning at Brian. "You remember Cynthia from last years Christmas party"

Cynthia slid her hand down the door and sighed "Mr. Epstein, I'd like a word with you outside please" Cynthia's eyes were daggers and Paul kind of wanted to chuckle. There was no way Brian would allow that, he was way to professional but for some odd reason, Brian looked put off. He looked down at the ground and nodded. Brian ushered the couple out of the conference room and out of the office. Paul folded his paper a little too hard and watched them exit.

He scribbled down something on a post-it note and headed to the back room. George was sitting at his desk filling out paperwork. "Hey George"

George spun his chair around and caught Paul's eye. "Ello, Paul!" He curled his legs up onto his chair.

Paul walked over and leaned himself onto George's desk. "So, Cynthia stormed in and pulled John into the conference room, they shouted. Brian orders them out and she asks to speak to him. They all file out." Paul waved his hand around with the post-it note.

George looked up at the door and back to Paul. "I missed that?!"

Paul chuckled "so, any idea of what that might be about?"

George put his pen to his mouth and tapped it to his teeth. "No, don't think so-"

The door to the office slammed open, they heard it from all the way in the back. The lads stood and crossed through the kitchen, opening the door and stood in the doorway.

Brian walked in, John behind him with an anxious expression. He didn't seem to like that everyone was staring.

"Ain't nothing to look at!" John hissed and went to the break room. Brian looked like he might've wanted to announce something too but he just enclosed himself in his office. George looked to Paul.

"You should sort him out, you're HR aren't ya?" Paul knocked his shoulder.

George scrunched up his face "suppose you're right." Just as he was turning to leave, Paul grabbed his shoulder.

"Tell me if ya find anything out"

George nodded and went to the break room. John was leaned over the table, lighting a cigarette next to a knocked over chair. George sighed and approached.

"John? You know you can't smoke in here."

John looked up and rolled his eyes. "Piss off George."

George went over to the vending machine as John kicked at the sideways chair. George placed a water bottle in front of John kindly. John looked down at it and sighed. He put out the cigarette and opened the water.

"You don't have to lecture me, George. office boundaries, I know. Cynthia's not coming back, ok?"

"That's good. But-"

"It's nobodies business"

"I understand-"

"Lets go smoke, huh?" John shot up from his seat and George followed behind him. The walked past Brian's office and Paul's desk.