This is the original "Called Up to the Boss's Office." I wrote in on special request. But after I was done, it just didn'tβ¦satisfy me. So I switched the roles and that's the one you all seem to like. The intro is the sameβ¦but the action is quite different. Looking back, this one does have a certain charm to it. Let me know what you think about Scott and his adventure.
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You'd been working at the new division for 4 weeks. Things were going well. You have your own office and were very glad to have your own 4 walls and a door. No secretary...yet. But you were on the move. This was a small division in a monolithic company. That was good thing though, it meant there was only 4 levels of management between you and top.
On this particular Friday afternoon however, you were feeling particularly good. The receptionist had flirted with you. You had been able to answer technical questions about the new product line. And in a big meeting you were about to ask intelligent questions and your manager actually seemed pleased. You were looking forward to a good weekend. But just before quitting time, the engineer down the wall came by and said "The big boss wants to see you - top floor suite - Pronto!." The he was off to his weekend.
You heart was now in your throat. The big boss, who you haven't even meant wanted to see you. Well, he must have heard about your "performance" at the 2 meetings today. "This could be my break," you thought. As you went to the elevator you noticed, being a summer Friday, almost everyone had left 15 minutes early. It was 4:55 and the floor was almost deserted. You got in the elevator and pushed the highest button - 15. Never had a reason to go above your floor, 11, before. Now you were on your way up, literally. You were daydreaming of bigger offices and secretaries as you got out of the elevator and the door closed behind you. As you came back to reality, you realized you must have gotten out at the wrong floor. This floor was filled with cubicles and lined with offices just like your floor - no executive suites. You remember now that the building is 20 floors; there must be another set of elevators.
You start walking the perimeter of the floor, and find another set of elevator in the hall off the west coroner of the building. You call and get in it when it arrives. You push 20, but it doesn't light. It has a key next to it. "I guess they are key access only." You are now beginning to think you have been sent out for that proverbial "bucket of air" or "Left-handed monkey wrench." Cute joke guys. Just to be sure you try the other buttons. 18 lights up. "OK, maybe it was no joke."
At 18 you get out in another world. A luxurious hallway lined with big offices (judging from the distance between the doors). All the doors are closed, save one. You approach it. None of the doors are labeled, You guess you have to know where you are going or you don't belong here. You steal yourself and open the already ajar door.
"Hello. Hello?" You think now that you really should have taken the time to check the org chart and see what this guys name was. But as you approach the inner door you see a name plate - Hallelujah! "V. A. Riley."
"Hello, Mr. Riley?" You cautiously push open the inner door. "Mr. Riley?."
"Mr." Riley is standing at the window, looking down on the city and SHE is certainly no mister. Her tight black business suit and 4" heels leave no doubt about that. She slowly turns to you, looking at you as if you were a piece of furniture and says, "And isn't that just the thing, if I was MR. Riley I would have gotten the fucking promotion." With that she strides over to the bar in the corner and pours herself another drink. She pauses and turns back to you. You are trying to fade into the woodwork.
"What are you doing here?"
"You sent for me. Scott , at your service." Oh that was lame. How is it a pickup line pops out when you are staring down an amazon...and she's winning.
"Well, Scott How about a drink?" Without waiting for an answer, she pours about 4 finger of amber liquor in a glass, with ice (thank goodness) and hands it to you. She take two large swallows out of hers and points you to a chair.
"Have a seat, Scott my boy. Let me see if I can remember why I asked you up here on this shitty Friday afternoon." She returns to her desk and leans on the edge while finishing her drink. You but your coat on the hook my the door and have a seat.