Excerpt

Chapter 2: An Awakening

The next morning she was greeted by some very enthusiastic co-workers; but a bit on the scared side. Usually the office was just humdrum in the early morning,

“Hi Sheila! Have you heard the news?” Bill asked. “Wonder what this is all about?”

“No, what on earth are you talking about, Bill. I haven’t had time for even a cup of coffee yet, do you mind??”

“No, I don’t mind but perhaps your new boss will?”

“What new boss?” She asked.

“That’s what they are all saying…there’s to be a general meeting at 9:30 a.m. today, and our part of the office is going to be closed til further notice. I don’t get it; but it doesn’t sound too good to me. Nancy and Don are in there straightening up the place. I just came out for a ciggy. How come you’re late today again, Missy give you a hard time?”

“What else is new, Bill. The usual morning routine…”

“What else is new? Well, I’ll tell you, Sheila. Penny or Penelope from the other office, you know, Mrs. Religiosity, well she’s on her knees praying away. She’s afraid she won’t be able to slip her tracts in to everyone’s trip tick… You know, her number 1 son, who was so perfect, was found with marijuana last night at the school gym. What a pay off for Mrs. High and Mighty!”

“Come on Bill, you have kids. Whether you like Penny or not, you have 3 kids of your own so none of us can look down on any caring parent. Get me that coffee, would you? You can really be helping out a poor, tired, fellow worker?”

“For you anything, kiddo.”

She heard a bustling behind her: “Sheila, am I glad to see you. Listen, check the recent folders from this week’s appointments and set them as straight as you can in this next half hour,” asked her boss, Marcie.

“You’re asking for a miracle, Marcie. You don’t mean every agent’s files for this week, do you?”

“I certainly do! Stat! Pronto!”

Sheila swung her hair back, looked up to the ceiling and set to work. Each was responsible for their own files but sometimes, Marcie would call on one agent to countercheck the work of others – but not on such short notice! Bill returned with the coffee and the pot. “Give me a little room, babe, the pot and stuff has to come in this room so that the new ‘boss’ can have some too. Now isn’t that cozy? Say what are you doing with all our folders?”

“Find another spot for your coffee, like yesterday, Bill. Marcie is up in the air and I have to countercheck all these in the next half hour. Oh, two lumps of sugar in today’s coffee, I need all the help I can get!”

Stocky Irene came in with her gloomy exterior and plunked down in the next office. “Damn, damn, damn!”

“What’s the matter?” asked Bill. “Did you meet the big boss already?” Or did you get another parking ticket?”

“Oh, shut up Bill. Nothing is going right this morning!”

“Well, we’re all in the same pickle so don’t let it grab you.” He laughed as he walked nonchalantly off.

“How can he always be so wacky? I can’t stand him.” She said to no one in particular since she couldn’t stand any of her co-workers, anyway. She was far superior to any of them…

Too soon, the buzzer went off to alert them to all be in their places and facing Marcie. She had always insisted on a certain amount of decorum. They all turned their heads to the doorway as a young man in a Tyrolean hat and clothing came in the. door; walked over to the coffee; poured some, but he spilled half the pot of coffee on the floor as he stood up and knocked a chair over.

Sheila gasped as she recognized the young man from yesterday’s appointment.

“Hello, everyone! I’m your new boss, Steve. You all look a bit surprised over my ‘quiet’ entrance. I must apologize but you see from my visit here yesterday, I felt this office needed a bit of color and entertainment.” He paused for a moment and looked around at the shocked faces. Sheila had turned white - then completely red, he noticed. Well, he had to shake them up, didn’t he???

“I intend to make many changes; physically and psychologically, as well. If we don’t create an adventurous spirit and have exciting vibes flowing from all of us, then our heart isn’t in our work. You give 100% or none at all, from now on. You’re all under a probationary period; if I don’t feel glowing when I come in this room, then you will become a nonparticipant. For those who catch on and are willing to learn this new stance, then there is much in store for you; not just a paycheck but other benefits – like travel and adventure. You do know those words, don’t you?” He glanced at Sheila. She wished she could hide behind a wall, at this point.

“You’ll have the rest of the week off while I make the physical changes and during that time of rest and REFLECTION,” he emphasized the last word, “I will expect you to be thinking of how you can be more creative and helpful in promoting TRAVEL. Your record for the last few years is terrible. I intend to change all that, starting now. Go home. See you promptly on Monday morning at 8:00 O’clock.”

He left the room as quickly as he came. The coffee was all over the floor. No one had dared to clean it up. Bill had started forward, but Steve had rudely motioned him back. They looked at each other in complete silence for a few minutes.

“I may just up and quit this stinking job!” said Bill.

“Yeah, and feed your kids on grass and dirt?” said Irene. They looked daggers at each other. “Wasn’t he here yesterday to see you, Sheila? What on earth did you tell him?”