GREEN STATUS

NEW RULES

8 00 AM Floor 50 Executive Wing

Elma’s first day as permanent Executive Assistant started with a keycard that actually worked on the first try Small win

Her desk was the same but the nameplate was new Elma Okonkwo No more temp No more probationary note in the system

Richard was already in his office when she arrived He looked up from his screen and nodded

Morning You’re early

Habit Elma said

Good habit Richard said He slid a folder across the desk This is today’s schedule And this is a problem

Elma opened the folder Inside was a memo about a supplier contract renewal Deadline in 48 hours Amount 2 million dollars

What’s the problem she asked

The supplier was flagged in your review Elma said Richard said Supplier X has a history of late deliveries and overbilling

Richard nodded Exactly I want you to call them Cancel the renewal and find three alternatives by tomorrow

Elma hesitated You trust me to do that

You’re sitting here aren’t you Richard said

Elma closed the folder Understood

She spent the morning on calls The first supplier hung up on her The second quoted double the price The third listened

By noon she had two viable options and a meeting set for the afternoon

At 1 00 PM Nathan stopped by with lunch

You look like you haven’t slept Nathan said

I haven’t Elma said But it’s working

Nathan set the food down I heard about the supplier thing You’re making waves

Good waves Elma said

Nathan smiled Careful Some people don’t like waves

Elma looked up So I’ve heard

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3 45 PM Floor 50

Elma was in a meeting with Procurement when her phone buzzed on silent It was Linda

She stepped out to answer

Elma Linda said Quiet urgent There’s a problem on floor 12

What happened

They’re cutting the admin pool Elma said Budget cuts They’re letting go of four people

Elma felt her stomach drop Who

Linda hesitated Two new hires and two temps You’re not on the list

Elma exhaled But they are people Linda I know them

I know Elma said That’s why I called you

Elma ended the call and walked straight to Richard’s office

She didn’t knock

Richard looked up What is it

Floor 12 is cutting four people Elma said Because of budget They’re good people

Richard leaned back And

And I think we can move the budget Elma said I found 180000 in savings from the supplier switch If we redirect it we can keep them for six months

Richard studied her That’s not your job

It is now Elma said

Richard was quiet for a long moment Then he nodded Draft the proposal I’ll sign it

Elma nodded Thank you

Richard added Don’t make a habit of this

I won’t Elma said But I won’t stop either

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6 00 PM Floor 12

Elma walked onto floor 12 after hours The floor was empty except for Linda packing her desk

You didn’t have to come Linda said

I wanted to Elma said She handed Linda a printed memo Budget reallocation approved Four positions secured for six months

Linda read it twice Then she looked up

You did this

Elma nodded I couldn’t let them go like that

Linda set the paper down and hugged her You’re different now

Maybe Elma said But not that much

Linda smiled Go home Executive Assistant You’ve earned it

Elma walked out with lighter steps

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8 00 PM Destiny’s apartment

Destiny opened the door with pizza and one question

So

So Elma said Setting her bag down I saved four jobs today

Destiny stopped pouring drinks Holy hell Elma

It was the budget thing Elma said It was right

Destiny handed her a drink To you Then she added To the girl who used to sit on that floor wondering if she’d eat tomorrow

Elma clinked the glass

Yeah she said To her

They ate in silence for a while

You’re changing things Destiny said Finally

I’m trying Elma said

Keep trying Destiny said The world needs more of that

Elma nodded

Outside the city lights flickered on

Inside Hayes Corp the rules were starting to change