The hand on the clock assaulted gravity
once more, pulling itself upward with a tired, trembling arm. Damian imagined he
could see the hidden gears flexing like muscles beneath the smooth, white exterior.
The hashes marking the passing seconds were teeth, poised to chomp down on his neck
and trap him here, forever.
“I was only on the phone for a mo-”
Damian blurted, stopping when his boss raised a meaty hand.
“That's not why you're here,” his
boss said, fingers steepled. “I’m going to have to ask something of you.”
Damian's eyes darted around the small
office, searching for an escape. If the denizens of the world were strictly divided
into “fight” or “flight,” he was most assuredly a bird. Even now, Damian found
himself envious of a crow taking wing outside.
A thin glass pane surrounded by wood
paneling hemmed him in as effectively as any metal cage, however. The menacing fluorescent
tubes above chased away all trace of friendly shadow. Behind him, the closed door
might as well have been a heavy bank vault.
“Um, sir?” he stammered.
The leather executive chair protested
his boss’s shifting weight. “Our customer has requested your presence in an off-site
meeting.” The sentence seemed to leave a sour taste in his mouth. His lips smacked
before he continued. “So, I'll need you to go ahead and drive yourself to the airport
tomorrow night. See my secretary on your way out. She's already made
arrangements.”
“Did you say tomorrow, sir?” Damian
asked.
“Yes.” Jowls trembled with a nod. “The
first flight we could book you on is early. You should consider yourself lucky;
the ungodly hour qualifies you for an overnight stay. Hotels are not cheap.”
Damian found it easy to contain his
enthusiasm. The “first” flight was likely cheapest, more than offsetting the
cost of the flea-ridden hotel. Still, this was behavior he’d grown to expect
from his employer. What caused Damian to frown was the implication of the stay.
“Overnight?” Damian squeaked.
His boss shrugged. “I don't make the
rules. Have a nice flight.”
And then he turned around and began
pounding away at his keyboard. Damian stood to leave. He had obviously been dismissed.
You already have made plans!
Inigo reminded him. Tell this thing to your boss. He cannot simply expect you
to be available whenever he requires it.
Yes, he can, Damian replied.
That's sort of how it works.
You do not even try, Inigo said.
Fine. Damian turned back,
one finger raised.
As Damian opened his mouth, the phone
rang. His boss revolved and made a shooing motion.
“Hello? Yes, Sherry. Put him through.”
Damian closed his mouth. Who was he
kidding? He draped himself in defeat and left.
Coward, Inigo heaped on.
I'll just have to reschedule,
Damian replied. Surely, she'll understand.
She would have to, wouldn't she?
19.49: Getting to Know You
3 days ago
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