COUNTING DOWN THE YEARS

HIRE TO FIRE

It is complete chaos in the office this morning! I check my watch again just to confirm it's actually working and that all the activities going on in here are actually happening this early. Picture a very busy mid day at the office, phones ringing in every corner, people walking fast up and down the office area, someone almost knocked me off my feet. 

What could have happened this early to get people so busy. And it looks like everyone is already  here. I could actually smell agitation from people. Something went down, something big. I was last here yesterday so whatever it is happened this morning. Looks like I'm the only one in the dark. And I'm walking around dodging body projectiles of my colleagues who seem to not notice me and therefore tend to run into me. I wonder if Miss Depps is already here. Of course she's here, what am I thinking? It's like she comes here purposely so she's earlier than me and make a big deal out of it. 

"Hey Anne, I think you should go there faster. She's already thrown a tantrum about some intern who's always late. " Old Mrs Peggy tells me with a sad smile. 

Alarming! 

"Thanks Mrs P. " I tell her with deflated enthusiasm. 

Mrs Peggy is one very elderly lady, the only in the office. It is rumored that she is related to Miss Depps and that is why she has her job. I am not sure about that because I've watched them around each other and they don't seem to have anything special between them. But what do I know, she is way past retirement for sure. Walks with a cane, has two thick glasses that I think are called bifocals or something. One on the bridge of her nose and the other hanging over her chin. At least her voice is somehow intact but her hearing is as poor as the next old Nana . Enough about her though. I reach the madam's door and stop momentarily. Take a really deep breath then walk in. 

I see her huge office chair turned to the window but it's swinging slightly so she is definitely behind there. I walk closer to her desk to lay down her coffee but I don't get far before she starts ranting. I wonder how she knew I was here. I walked stealthily for a reason. 

"The only reason I keep you around intern is because you are so obedient. But obedience is not enough for a work space. I need efficiency, non tardiness and alertness. " She pauses then dramatically swings her chair around to face me. 

I say dramatically because she must have intended to do it faster but she ends up almost falling off it and when she composes herself, she looks beyond pissed. She then gets up. 

"I don't like being last, I don't like not winning. And I most definitely not like being not in the know. I hate the feeling you know. I trusted you and it's why I took you in as my intern. But if you prove to me now and again that you don't have what it takes I'll be forced to cut you loose. I can't afford to lag behind just because of one intern. I'm a boss madam! I hire then fire. " She pauses letting me stir in that. 

She then forcefully picks up a remote from her desk and switches on her TV. Takes a few seconds for the company logo to pave way for a broadcasting. I squint my eyes at the screen to read the headlines. There is a breaking news about the death of our city mayor. Oh s**t! 

Something big really did go down. I see one of our reporters, Justin talking through the company microphone as he looks back at some hotel in the city  swarming with police and reporters. The TV is muted for obvious reasons. In case of any doubts here this, for a second by accident my eyes flicker to the madam and the twitching of most of her face muscles tell me someone is getting fired today. I know for sure that someone must be me. I gulp visibly. 

"I need you to do me a little favor. Go down to The Bliss and get me info other media houses don't have. "She forces a big grin on her face, "They are speculating the mayor must have committed suicide but at the same time it looks like murder. Go dig around and find something new so for once today I get to report some news not common knowledge like Justin is doing right now! "She forces the grin again, "Your belongings will be sent to your address in case by noon you haven't found anything. Don't bother coming here. And you can keep the equipment you will be going with, as memoir. Door's right where you left it. " Madam says pretending to be calm. 

She even sits down and dusts her desktop keyboard then rearranges her two pencil cases completely ignoring me. I stand there for a second longer not believing what I just heard. 

I don't get anything I don't bother coming back. My belongings cleared from my desk and sent to my address. I begrudgingly go to my office feeling a lump forming in my throat. How is anything my fault? I'm not even a reporter. I have always done her bidding and she complains all the while. All I ever wanted was to be the best journalist ever but I see maybe later on in the day I'll be going back to the drawing board to reevaluate my options. 

I empty my drawer and stuff everything in a box. I think I would want my belongings well arranged when sent to my house later today. Such a way to start a day! 

Once done and the office looks ready to be occupied by the next intern, I take my shoulder back and walk outside. Passing by old Mrs Peggy's desk. She wears yet another sad smile. I feel tears pricking the corners of my eyes so I look down and walk faster. I needed this company to absorb me or at least give me a good recommendation for a job in other companies. 

As I flag down a taxi to take me to The Bliss, I can't help think about going home to soak my depression in a huge tub of ice cream and binge watch some soap opera. I would be better keeping busy than chasing nothing.