Page 22 of Love, Luck & Clusterf*ck

I took his hiccup as a yes and sent him over to extension 3620. “Man, I felt bad for the guy.”

“Just wait until you get those people who scream and threatenyou. You won’t feel so sorry for them then.” She shrugged. “Not much you can do if they won’t listen to you. That’s one of the things Adam’s here for. He has to handle the shit.”

Fortunately, I didn’t have anyone threatening my life that day. The rest of the time went by quickly, and I kept busy with phone calls and setting up appointments. I think I navigated around pretty well and was proud of myself for not breaking anything.

Towards the end of my shift, I took a quick peek at my interoffice e-mail. There were a few requests for overtime and posts for job openings available in various departments around the company. I poked around the community bulletin board, looking at the items to be bought and sold, but didn’t see anything of interest. A message popped up, subject line:

RE: 3/24 Mandatory Afterhours Meeting. PLEASE READ.

This is a reminder that all employees in the Braden office are required to report to Nic’s Lounge for a company meeting after shift on Friday 3/24. Dinner and drinks will be provided. Please note that this is a mandatory meeting for employees of FiTech only. No spouses, significant others, or friends allowed.

S. Davidson

Head Director of Software Development

“Hey, what’s this about a mandatory meeting on Friday?” I asked Kate.

She slapped her forehead. “Damn, I forgot about that. I guess we’ll be skipping drinks Thursday night.”

“It sounds serious. Anything I need to be prepared for?”

“Nah. We have these every couple months or so. It’s probably ten percent legitimate work crap, ninety percent bullshitting. The company likes to sponsor them and get us all together. Good for morale or something. It seems to work, though.”

“What happens if you can’t make it? It says mandatory, but I kinda had plans with someone….” I felt a little stupid mentioning it. I’d promised Dre we’d get together, but this was my job and if it was important….

“So bring him along. Then leave early. It’s really not a big deal. It’s all pretty easygoing around here, despite how they make it sound.”

I pointed my finger at the screen. “The e-mail says employees only.”

Kate leaned over, then frowned. “Huh. Strange. I bring my husband to these things all the time.” She went back to her computer and refreshed her e-mail. “I haven’t got that one yet.” She shrugged. “Oh well. I wouldn’t worry about it.”

“Who’s S. Davidson?”

“Just one of the chiefs over in corporate. Maybe you’ll meet him on Friday. He’s not always there, but bring a change of underwear just in case—he’s hot as fuck.”

Adam popped his head over our station. “Talking about me inappropriately again, Kate?” He crossed his hands over his chest. “I’m not feeling very safe at the moment.”

She flipped him off while laughing. I shook my head. This was the wackiest work environment I’d ever been in. It made me even more determined to stay.

“Speaking of hot as fuck, I gotta get going, John’s waiting for me.”

I assumed that was her husband; at least I hoped so. She gave us a wave and headed for the door. The late-night crew was starting tofile in, so I gathered my stuff, figuring it was a good time for me to leave too.

“Wait a sec,” Adam said. “I’ll walk out with you.”

“Okay.”

I finished off my warm soda and threw the bottle in the recycling bin. When Adam came around to my side, we walked out of the room and into the hall.

“I didn’t get much of a chance to check in with you today. How’d it go?”

“Pretty well, I think. I’m glad I have Kate right next to me.”

“I’m not far away either. I know I was on a call most of the day, but usually I’m more accessible. If you ever need anything, feel free to use me. That’s what I’m here for.”

I smiled. “Thanks.”

“At least we had a slow day. It probably made it a little easier on you.”

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