coco- HangoverJoyous to say, the prognosis was merely a raging headache and I was only five minutes late to the floor ten team meeting. But something was up. The CEO and his right hand man weren't there. Our CEO has an unspoken policy that he doesn't expect us to be at a meeting if the person who called it can't attend - re-book the damn thing - so fifty of us frowned, wriggled our mouths and feet, and talked amongst ourselves until the GM officially declared the meeting a failure and we scattered back to our desks. From mine, I could see the CEO, his PA, and Brian in the CEO's office. It looked awkward. Brian had his hands up in the air - traditional "WTH" body language. And Kim (yes, a man named Kim) was in his Aeron chair, semi-turned to the window, with folded arms and a shaking head, universally recognised as "I don't want to be associated with you" and "I don't care". Brian emerged from the office, definitely disturbed. But his large gestures vanished and he reverted to an indiscernible, resolved demeanour - calm - and he collected his phone and diary from his desk, and went to a meeting room to make a call. Kim's PA arranged for the floor managers to convene in Kim's office and they closed the door. I began quietly panicking. The floor managers were reacting to Kim's news like there'd been a death in the family. Some sat, some stepped backwards, some stepped forwards. Stomachs sinking. Oh. I needed to be on top of this information. I drifted over to the meeting room where Brian was hidden and hunkered. By the time he opened the door, Kim was outside his office, flanking me. His PA too. They produced some uncomfortable small-talk, sussing out: why was I standing there. Why wasn't I at my desk. Brian didn't notice me, but he clearly announced to Kim that he'd collect his things at end of day, but for now, he was heading home to talk to his wife and make some calls. I freaked. This man was the best thing to happen to this company in... ever. He knew stuff. He was professional. He could turn things around. I led him back into that meeting room, sideways, by his elbow, without him really noticing who was leading him, and I asked him what happened. He said he was leaving, and of course I asked why. He didn't say anything. He looked really sad. He hadn't made any eye contact; I don't think he was focused on who was talking to him, or on what was being said. I'd never even shaken this guy's hand, but all of a sudden I had to hug him freaking tight and long. He noticed me then, and said, "Thanks," and we stayed in the -- well, hug is such a meaningless word, diluted and Hallmark'd. This was more of a hold. Kim had observed all of this, and moved into the same room - I knew it was to ensure control of the conversation, if a conversation was to occur. Some time during the strange, strange hold, my chest jolted. I was attracted to Brian. I didn't know before, but now I did. Quelle mess. No good. I separated, let go, and told him he'd be missed. Please keep in touch. |
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Hangover Blanket Nobody noticed Martina: An Adventure through Time Probability: The Art of the Lazy Ko Lying Snake and The Forgetful Hat, Part 1
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