Running
Uploaded by joeydaprof on Jun 12, 2006
It was an ordinary day at TransNAT Co. Phones were ringing, the tap-tap-tap of keyboards emitted from every room, the white fluorescent lights were buzzing quietly, investors were draining whole economies of their money (“We’re happy it provided 520 000 new jobs, but we need it back), and sleep deprived employees in business suits were desperately shooting themselves up with caffeine, cursing the new violet bathroom lights. It was an ordinary day at TransNAT. Seth, in one of the many 5 x 5 cubicles, was wishing he was somewhere else. He sighed, looked up at his motivational poster (IT’S GOOD PAY!!!), and began calculating various inflation rates. This continued until ten, when he made a start on the country reports. At twelve, lunch was announced:
“It is now twelve noon. Please proceed to the mess hall for renourishment.” At twelve forty five, another announcement was made:
“It is now twelve forty five. Please return to your work stations for further productivity.”
The rest of the day followed similarly.
Outside was a toasty 40º. Traffic was horrible. Entering his well furbished yet empty inner city apartment, Seth took a shower to be rid of the stench of the day, and the smell of lunch. He had a long night ahead, filled with corn chips, frozen burritos and of course, pie charts and investment prospects. A long night indeed. Procrastinating as much as humanly possible, he checked for messages:
“You have…three…new messages”
“Seth, reminding you that your report is due…”
He ignored this.
“Remember, the night out is Thursday. Bring A LOT of money.”
Next.
“I’m dying Seth. Doctors say I have about six months. Come home.”
Stunned, he repeated the message. It was his sister, the one on the other side of the country. Of course he would go. But the job; Boss’s favourite, a rising star, guarantee of promotion…
The frozen burritos had to wait.
It was an ordinary day at TransNAT Co. Phones were ringing, sleep deprived employees in business suits were still shooting themselves up with caffeine, still cursing the new violet bathroom lights, and Seth walked in looking more restless and tired than ever. Even his motivational poster (IT’S GOOD PAY!!!) did not inspire him to feats of…inspirational proportions. He felt tired, ill, hungry, annoyed, and obligated to buy the soonest airline ticket to the other side of the country where his dying sister was lying in a bed with her body mass drastically falling. It was...