Vice

18: Lonely

Mr. Axius Vice's office is dead silent as she approaches. The dark curtains hanging behind the glass walls feel just as cold as uninviting as they did yesterday - maybe even more so, since Natara knows for certain he still wants her fired.

She desperately wants to step inside the office and speak to him. If she could only apologize about the coffee on the first day and explain the fact that the file from Crystal was done purposely to sabotage her, perhaps Mr. Vice would lighten up. Maybe he'd even like her.

Natara knocks on the door, praying for him to open it. Minutes pass. 

No hello. No movement. No sound. Nothing. It's almost as if no one exists inside his office.

How can someone be so shut in all the time? What does Mr. Vice do with all of his time? Is he constantly attending meetings? Always doing business calls? 

If Natara was stuck inside all day long, she'd be pacing around the office, playing music, fiddling with things, or...well, at least turning the lights on or pulling open the curtains once in a while to let a bit of light inside. And, if she was him, she'd definitely want an assistant to help her with calls or even just keep her company.

A flush brushes her cheeks. Maybe that's why it's so nice having Jace stop in every so often.

She crosses her arms and fiddles with the smoothie cup. The comforting pumpkin scent keeps her company in the vacant, silent hallway. He really isn't answering. Does he ever answer anyone? Does anyone else ever come here?

Her lips part as her eyes trace the stitching on the dark curtains and a new thought jumps into her head: How alone is Mr. Vice?

She purses her lips and opens the compartment in the wall. Although she wants to wait a little longer - out of hope that the door will open and she can introduce and explain herself - she knows it isn't going to. And she certainly doesn't want the smoothie to get warm or else she might have a repeat of the cold coffee incident.

After all, how many times will Jaquie be able to cover for her mistakes? She really doesn't want to push it to find out, so she sets the smoothie into the slot and closes the door.

Walking back down the hall, her chest sinks. Even though working at Vicetech is just a job and she should deal with it to make money, it feels empty. All she does is sign paperwork and make coffee and smoothies. A machine could do that instead of a person, so what purpose is she serving by being here? 

She doesn't make a difference to anyone, except maybe Jaquie, but he could hire someone else to fill the position and still be happy. Jace would go on being beloved by his coworkers and helping whatever other new girl was in her place. The front desk secretary wouldn't have a fowl mood every time she stepped through the front doors. Even her boss would be happier with her gone.

How do people do their jobs and stay happy? How is anyone truly satisfied in the adult world? Working for an amount on a paycheck while I go through every day feeling like just another name on a name tag feels terrible.