I was working late on a deadline, burning the midnight oil, the last one in the office. My case load has been so hectic lately. I had discovery on 5 different cases due the next day, and oppositions and replies to research and prep for my boss, so there I sat, after hours, all alone, past closing hours, glued to my computer, typing like my hands were possessed. My mind was a blur of interrogatories and requests for production, motions and briefs and affidavits, oh my!
My desk was a big "u." Facing the wall on one side sat my computer, on the otherside sat open work space; in between were shelves stacked with files. As I finalized the draft of one motion, I turned to begin stamping the exhibits for it, and nearly jumped out of my skin and let out a little shriek, for there in the chair next to the doorway sat my boss.
He had an amused smirk on his face.
"Good lord, Mark, you nearly scared the daylights out of me!" I exclaimed accusatorily.
He smiled broadly, white teeth contrasting nicely against his tan face. "Sorry about that, you were so engrossed it was easy." He shrugged. "I brought dinner, thought you could use a break." He held up a bag of Chinese take-out."
I looked at the clock. It was after 9 already. "Damn, I completely lost track of time. I'm starved, thanks." I gestured for him to pull up his chair, and cleaned the stacks of exhibits and documents off of my workspace. He pulled out cartons of food, aromatic spices assaulting my nose. "I thought you were in Seattle for depositions."
"My flight landed a couple of hours ago," he explained. "Figured I'd stop by here and relieve you."
"Thanks," I said, grabbing a fork and digging into spicy kung pow chicken. "How'd you know I was here?"
Mark laughed. "I'm out of town, you're always here covering my ass."
I smiled ruefully. "Someone's got to."
"And believe me, I appreciate it. I know we've been swamped lately, but hopefully we can settle some of these cases and you can cash in some of your vacation." He was eating mongolian beef with chopsticks. Damn, that was my favorite. I'd never managed to get the knack of chopsticks down, but Mark weilded them flawlessly with skilled hands.
"Ah, and take that trip to Tahiti that I've always wanted," I snorted. "Do you know what I do with my time off? I shampoo my carpets and rearrange the furniture." I stabbed another piece of chicken mercilessly with my fork.
"You can't be serious." He shook his head.
I shrugged. "Travel is expensive. Besides, I like it here, why leave? I have such a grand view." I gestured to my window behind me, which had an amazing view of the parking garage in the lot below me.
He laughed. "Now I know you jest. I just don't want you burning out on me."
"I know, I know, what would you do without me?" I smiled. "Don't worry, if I was burning out, you'd be the first to know, because I wouldn't be here late at night covering your ass." I stuck my tongue out at him.
Mark was a cool boss. Well, for an attorney anyway. We'd always had a good camadarie around the office, things were casual and we were always joking around and lightly flirting, much to the straight-laced office manager's chagrin. It made for a fun work environment, though; I legitimately enjoyed my job.
He sighed in relief. "That's good, because I'd be lost without you."
I rolled my eyes. "Now that's laying it on a little think, don't you think? Let me guess, you're planning on taking a trip to Hawaii as soon as snow falls and want to make sure I'll be here to handle things while you're gone and fedex you anything that needs a signature."
"Oh, now I wouldn't do that, would I?" He smiled innocently.
I gave him a suspicious look. "Innocent is not a good look for you. And yes, you would." I took another bite out of my carton, staring pointedly at him. "You could always wash my carpets, and I could go to Hawaii instead." I smiled broadly.
He chortled. "Oh, let's not be unrealistic, shall we? Do you really need your carpets cleaned so badly? I'd be happy to rent a steam cleaner at my expense if it would keep you happy."
I smiled. "Well, a raise might be nice, but my house isn't all that filthy, honest."
"Hmm," he said thoughtfully. "A raise, huh? I guess you are kind of overdue for a review, I suppose we can discuss terms."
I chewed and swallowed slowly. "What kind of terms?" I raised my eyebrow.
"Hold that thought," he said, standing up. "I brewed some coffee, be right back."
He returned a moment later with two steaming mugs of hot java, and handed me one. I inhaled the rich aroma. I love coffee. I'm a bit of a coffee snob, so I make sure we keep good stuff in the office. I took a sip. "Oh, that hits the spot. You must have been reading my mind. Now, where were we? Oh yes, terms." I set my mug on my desk.
He nodded his head. "I think its high time we review your job performance."
I leaned back in my chair, unperturbed. I was a hard worker, and very professional, he had nothing to complain about. "Ok, shoot."
He leaned forward, elbows on my desk. "Well, for starters, you talk too much on the internet."
I laughed out loud. "Yeah, to you. Its a vast improvement over the paper airplanes you used to throw at me to get my attention."
He smiled at that remark. "Exactly, only to me, never to anyone else. I keep thinking I can catch you slacking on the job or something, but nope, you've never slipped."
"Slacking?" I dropped my jaw. "This is my job, I take it very seriously."
"Too seriously," he said. "You're always early, you rarely take breaks, you often work through lunch, you work after hours far too much, and you're very professional. In fact, you're too professional."