Drinks 'n Dares

How to Mess with Janitors

Chapter Four – How to Mess with Janitors

Claire's POV

It was a day that ultimately was destined to go from bad to worse. Not only did the Doorman think I was some kind of hooker (which with last night's make up, the short dress and bare feet I could kind of understand) and throw me out of his, and I quote, 'fine establishment, much too classy for common prostitutes' but the cab fare back to my side of Nelson was ridiculous. I finally got back to my flat and the doddery old lady next door to me wanted to chat and I was pretty sure I (accidentally) really offended her in my attempt to postpone our chat for another time. I didn't have time for a shower so I just had to scrape of last night's makeup and attempt a quick touch up. Hastily dressed in a pale pink shirt, black pencil skirt and sensible black shoes I had to manage my hair into something that resembled something other than a bird's nest. And after feeding my cat, and grabbing a yoghurt for what could barely be considered breakfast I hightailed it back out of there and had to catch the bus to the stop nearest my work.

By the time I actually reached my work place (running from the bus stop to the News in Nelson building took five minutes alone) it was past twelve and I was getting visions of me having to dance on street corners to earn money. Not that that would ever happen because New Zealand, unlike some countries, actually has a decent welfare system and also because my mum would never let a child of hers starve when they could be staying at home with her. But hey, I claim creative license. I crossed the lobby, waving to Carla, who was sitting behind the counter with a few other receptionists, and I mouthed 'I'll tell you later'. She mouthed back 'You better'. I took the elevator and with sweaty palms I made my way to my cubicle.

But apparently fate had it in for me.

Evelyn got to me before I could get to my seat, all crossed arms and raised eyebrows.

"So what was this family emergency?" she demanded. "That is what you said was happening right?"

"…Yes." I told her, trying to think on my feet. "Well you see, my brother…he had a…a heart attack. Yes, he had a minor heart attack and he needed me to take him to hospital."

If lying was an illegal offence I would get life. All she had to do was ask around and she'd know that none of my brothers lived anywhere near Nelson. And besides…what heart attack is minor? I should just shoot myself.

"Oh, seriously?" she asked, suddenly all concerned. "Is he all right?"

"Yeah…the doctor said he's going to be fine. But he just needed someone there you know?" I said, continuing to pour out the lies.

"Well I'm sorry for being grumpy." She said. "But in the future could you call and let us know when you're not going to be in for work?"

"Sure. And sorry." I said and raced off to my seat as fast as possible. Except when I finally got to my cubicle I found that I couldn't sit there because there was some RANDOM MAN SITTING THERE! I almost jumped out of my skin before he spun around in the chair and I realised it was only Jon.

"Seriously? Sick brother, that's what you went with?" Jon asked.

"How did you get in here?" I hyperventilated.

"I let him in!" an oh-so-helpful voice chirped.

"Ahh!" I jumped. I turned and sighed when I realised it was Daisy, my incredibly annoying and excessively eavesdropping neighbour. She was sticking her head up over her own cubicle and was beaming down at me with a smile that could only be managed by toddlers or the clinically brain-dead. Which one was she? That was anybody's guess.

"Some random guy said he needed to get into my cubicle and you let him?"

She nodded cheerfully.