The Cog Part 3

The Wrench

 

Caylee was called in to her Director's office on a Wednesday at 10:30am. Her boss was already sitting there. His hands were folded in his lap calmly, but his expression looked of discomfort. Like he had a bad taco the night before and hadn't yet gotten over it. He was also sweating a little bit. But that could have been the taco, too.

She took the seat next to her boss, across from her Director, Mr. Jonas, and looked at the pictures hanging on the wall. The typical landscape motivational pictures hung here and there. One specifically stuck out to her. A lone boulder sitting in the water, the sun just about to set, captioned:

 

Attitude:

"Keep your face to the sun and you cannot see the shadows"
- Helen Keller

 

Caylee began to laugh and laugh. She laughed so hard, she couldn't catch her breath. She couldn't contain herself. Tears were gathering in her eyes and were about to brim over. She found it just perfect. So absolutely-fucking perfect that her Director would have a picture hanging in his office, offering advice on how to see the world from a blind and deaf woman. She had nothing against Helen Keller, but really? Really?! Was she the only one who found this even the slightest bit...off? Even the slightest bit funny. Was she the only one who saw that poster for what it really was? "Be blind and deaf and everything will be A-OK.". If she had to personally pick out a wall hanging for this douche bag of a boss, this would be the poster she would choose.

 

 

Gathering from the stunned and frightened looks on both faces, she guessed they didn't see what was quite so funny. She gradually composed herself, swallowing her remaining giggles and wiping the tears from her eyes. She tried to put on her most serious of faces and return to the Land of the Corporate. She was starting to get the distinct impression that this meeting might actually be about something. Not just a meeting for a sake of one. She had to admit, she was intrigued.
 

Her Director offered her a tissue, which she thanked him for, and he started to speak hesitantly. "Caylee", he started, "I think it's important to have a strong working relationship with my people. Without you, I would be nowhere. I hope you know how fondly I think of you." She was startled he got her name right, but wasn't shocked that this was the same speech she had just received not too long ago. He continued: "Your work has always been top-notch, top-notch. And we're both very pleased at how far you've come along", nodding to her boss. "It's just that, well Caylee, there's been some complaints. Quite a few actually. I of course can't divulge the names of those that have come forward, but there have been several complaints. Quite a few actually." He was repeating himself now. She silently wondered if "Rain Man" made any inspirational posters.

 

"Can you let me know the nature of the complaints?", asked Caylee. She understood that murderers and burglars were even afforded the right to face their accuser, but that wasn't important to her. "What, exactly, seems to be the issue, Mr. Jonas"?
 

"Well, Caylee. You just seem to be making some people uncomfortable, quite a few people actually . For example, your laughter. You seem to laugh inappropriately and without reason. This is very disturbing to your co-workers. We just witnessed that ourselves. Reports that you seem distracted and just, how do I say this? Uninspired, actually. Uninspired people are like a disease, Caylee. If someone in uninspired, then they are uninspiring. Do you understand what I'm trying to tell you, Caylee? Uninspiring people breed displeasure. Displeasure breeds contempt. We are all a family here. We can't have one of our family causing others to feel uncomfortable. We can't have others starting to question their roles in this Company, because one employee is experiencing...something." He finished with this: "Caylee, we are a well-oiled machine here. We just can't have someone trying to throw a wrench in the works. We just can't have that type of behavior. You understand." He finished his speech and everything went silent.
 

Caylee looked at her boss who was playing with an imaginary stain on his tie, while sweat dripped from his temples.
 

"I understand", she replied. "I understand that you didn't even fucking know my name until HR handed you my employee file. I understand that you sit here and speak of inspiration, when you have no idea what it is I even do. I understand that you consider individuality a bonus, as long as it conforms to your idea of Corporate Individuality. I understand that you want me to succeed, as long as I don't question anything. I understand. I understand, perfectly."
 

"Caylee, I know you're upset, and I understand that", her Director responded smoothly. "We just think it might be beneficial to all if you took a little time off. Since you're not married and have no one of your own, we've already spoken with your parents. Like I said, Caylee, we're a family here."
 

****

Caylee watched as the ant she had just rescued from the shallow pool, took another nose dive off the edge in to the clear blue water. She was sitting on the concrete, legs dangling lazily, saving bugs from their suicide leaps. This ant was persistent though. She had already scooped him up with her hands, held out a small branch, and was now floating a large leaf-made life boat out to the fool. This was the last time, she told him. If he continued to go back to what was going to be his inevitable doom, she wanted no part of it. She took hold of the leaf carrying the ant, and placed him even further away from the pool this time. "Come on", she said out loud. "You can't even swim."
 

Resuming her position, she dunked her legs back in to the cool water. It was late August, and the weather was still warm, without being oppressive. She gave a big sigh, and leaned back on her elbows. She felt pleasant. She felt satisfied. Maybe this is what she needed. Just some fresh air, sun on her skin, and playing lifeguard to some bugs. Some time to think and put things into perspective. Yes. Perspective. That's it. Perspective.
 
 

As she leaned a little further back, she noticed the ant making his way back towards the pool. She mentally willed him to turn around. To catch sight of a cute lady ant, or to hear his mother call, anything that would stop him from heading towards his certain death. She felt for this ant. He was her. All he knew how to do was the same thing, over and over again, regardless of how much it might make him feel, or how much it didn't matter in the end.
 

As she started to get up, a staff member came out in her squeaky white shoes and pasted on smile, telling Caylee it was time for her group session. As she walked over to hand the towel to Caylee, the aide stepped right on the ant. Ending his journey to nowhere.

Well, thought Caylee, that's one way to go.

The End.