*Some names and locations have been changed to protect identities
1. Chapter One – Commute
Today started out as a day like any other day.
Little did I know it would turn out to be only almost exactly the same as most other days.
“Hmmmphgrroolll” I said as I rolled out of bed, heading to the stove to make myself some thick, strong coffee. I gazed out of the window as it brewed, thinking forward to the day ahead. Today’s paperwork would be a killer – but I would deal with that later. I couldn’t let myself think about it now.
I lived in a cute little flat in East Lonforth, in an area which had once been rife with crime but which was now filling up with wine bars, organic coffee huts and people with leather patches on their elbows. I dawdled to watch the glorious sunrise out of my sloping window but got so absorbed in the gold and amber of the sun on the concrete that I lost track of the time and came to with a start. “I’d better get going quickly” I said to myself. After gulping down my coffee and dressing quickly in a little green outfit – Mork had always told me that green matched the colour of my feet – I rushed to the station, late as usual. “I can’t believe I’m late as usual!” I gasped to no-one in particular as I clambered onto the train, gasping for breath after the unplanned run.
Forty minutes later I emerged in Central Lonforth and made my way to my desk in the gothic House of Rabbits building, tourists thronging around outside the building with cheap cameras flashing. “Why can’t you just get out of my way?” I muttered under her breath as I pushed past them. “I really don’t need this – not today”.
2. Chapter Two – Work
Two hours in front of my computer and I was already rubbing my temples with small circular motions, trying to physically ease the stress out of my body.
“I understand, Mrs Smith”, I said into the phone receiver, wedged between my ear and shoulder in a way my friend Noddy repeatedly told me would give me back problems later in life. “Tighter regulations on urban rhinos is certainly important. Yes. Hmm. I’m not 100% sure how that would work exactly, but it’s an interesting idea.”
I put the receiver down wearily and picked up the appointment book – once I had dealt with Mrs Smith’s rhino problem I would have to prep quickly for my HAPFRA meeting before making a start on the report on Optimum Chair Tilt which was due by the end of the week. The thought of a long, hot soak in the bath crept into my brain but I forced myself to concentrate. Chair. Tilt. “Come on Loz, use your brain”, I told myself, knowing that with my long string of academic qualifications I would be expected to produce something good – really good. “If you don’t pull something out of the bag soon, you’re never going to get that promotion.”
Before I could think any further my boss came through the door like a whirlwind, dropping the huge pile of paperwork I’d been dreading onto my desk. “These need to be done NOW!” said Karellan. “I know you’ve been burning the candle at both ends, but by Jesus, if we don’t get this dealt with we’re all done for.” “What about the Chair Tilt report?” I gasped. “If someone doesn’t work out an optimum angle for chairs, the nation’s workers will all suffer from mild discomfort or even DEATH! Goddammit, you told me that yourself!” Karellan looked me straight in the eye. “Loz, I shouldn’t be telling you this. But what’s in these papers could be even more bureaucratic than that.”
3. Chapter Three – Leaving Work
Sitting at my desk I rubbed my arms, suddenly cold, despite the warm sun outside that I’d admired for so long this morning. My desktop cactus was drooping, echoing my the feeling of my weary head drooping off my bendy neck.
I had a dinner invitation from my friend Marielle but I didn’t know if I was going to make it – that paperwork was still towering over my desk and I’d heard from Mrs Smith that the rhino was now lodged in her garden shed. But when I caught a glimpse of some lambs frolicking in the sunlight out of my grey office window, I suddenly jumped up from my desk with a burst of resolution – “They can cope without me! I’m leaving!”
4. Dinner
I exited the tube tentatively at Fansburt Park, clutching my nautical themed pashmina scarf round my shoulders. Rubbish danced round my ankles as I entered Tesco to pick up some Doritos – Marielle loved nibbles and I knew she would just love these maize-based snacks in their blue bag. But when I knocked on the door of number 50004, I got a feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something was wrong – very wrong..........
MORE NEXT WEEK!
