Even though it has become one of those over-played movies on TBS, it's still one of my favorites. I can't get enough of collective stupidity in work places, the natural by-product of managers pumped up on the importance of their work and their notion of the general good. That and I've always wanted to write an office story that didn't bore the pants off of its readers. Here's my attempt, an excerpt from the final story I handed in for the semester.
The problem was not exactly with Eveline’s work, but with her attitude. She came and went as she pleased. She was never there when Jonas’ meetings began without a good amount of coaxing and supervising. “Start without me,” she’d say and flit off to someone else’s desk. She believed, or at least behaved as if she had special privileges. And if Jonas was to keep his group happy and productive, what he believed to be his greatest contribution toward the effectiveness and productivity of the company as a whole, he needed to rein her in.
George, the youngest board member, had brought it up at yesterday’s monthly board meeting. Because the board always splurged for deluxe catering and off-site space corporate hotels, all the directors looked forward to these meetings.
“There is one other thing,” George said to Jonas as he packed his last folder into his briefcase. The other directors were grazing at the dessert table in the back of the room. Jonas was the only non-board member in the vicinity.
“Eveline,” George continued. “We’re afraid other people, her co-workers, do not appreciate her attitude. It’s been noted.” Or had he said noticed? Jonas could not remember.
“Yes,” Jonas said. “I’ve been thinking about this myself.” It had been hard to maintain his smile with the weight of the meeting settling into his jaw and pulling at the skin of his cheeks. He fidgeted in his chair, thought about where he should put his hands, ended up with one on the table the other in his lap.
“We’re not asking you to think about it,” said George.
“We’re asking you to take care of it.” Cecil, the eldest member of the board had had enough of George’s tact. The board members filed out of the room. The rustle of suit fabric trailed them down the hall to the elevator.
Jonas was glad George had said something. Before, he had blamed himself for Eveline’s dismissive attitude. Now, his paralysis was lifted. It’s been noted. It’s been noticed? George had also had enough tact to talk to Jonas out of earshot of the other directors. This told Jonas George trusted him to take action.
Jonas ran his finger along the edge of his desk. It was not really a desk. It was a folding table propped next to the copier. Jonas had gotten the folding table when he asked to be moved to the analyst’s area. It was the closest thing to a desk a company that had grown too big for its office could offer him, but he took it anyway, because it was important for a manager to be close to his team.
A cleaning man wheeled a large gray bin lined with clear plastic past him. Jonas handed him the garbage can from beneath his desk. Jonas kept nothing on his desk save a small notebook with a leather cover. The president’s assistant waved to Jonas as she left. Jonas was now the last person in the office. He covered his computer screen and walked home.
