The day is hectic, mundane in away, but relentless as ever. I glance at the wall clock; it seems only a minute goes by each time I look! Why is time so fucking slow at work?
The office is so loud today with the muted noise of work, keyboards click as fingers reply to online requests for help and the incessant murmur from the mixture of conversations that disappear into the inter-web of unknown faceless people.
As my focus drifts I am brought back to the now. "Hello, hello, are you listened to me?" the faceless voice is speaking to me "o go away I think" as at the same time I reply, "hi yes loud and clear, how can I help you?", and I deal with whatever number call this is for help today.
As I look up Jamie is stood at my desk all smiles and full for eagerness, O that will drop off in time! As a team manger I am also a mentor, another unpaid thing to do, but at least I can talk to a human face as I coach and mentor him as he aspires to move up in the company, and today Jamie will get my full attention.
I log off and the weight of the inter-web drops away. As my terminal powers down, I point to the interview office and lead the way. I open the door Jamie enters before me. The meeting room is functional, a desk, two chairs and a small shinny brown leather sofa and a window looking out onto the company carpark. A bland room but it offers one amazing thing: as I shut the door, silence falls, no keyboards no voices, just blissful silence, it is sounded proofed for security and privacy.
Jamie goes to speak; I stop him before he starts and he shrinks into his chair. I look at him, nice suit, not so nice shirt but the shoes and tie make a strong statement. He looks late twenties but is nearer twenty, he obviously looks after himself and I feel he is somewhat holding in a fun and exciting character.
I start by reading his performance records, so much data is collected on our working day, it has everything we do in the office displayed on graphs and diagrams. I have to emphasis to Jamie, "you are taking far too much time talking to clients", But he immediately rebuts with how he wants to please, needs to feel he has done the best he can, and really does not like hanging up an incomplete call for help.
The performance appraisal is fairly easy really, and we move to some small talk, the conversation is flowing, it turns out we even share some out of work interests.
I am looking at Jamie, and, am I am reading his body language correctly, he is leaning forward very focused on my eyes but also looking at me a little a little pensive or is he just undressing me in his mind? Maybe he is just a young man that is trying to please his manager...'Hmmmm' maybe I can play with that I muse to myself.
As the room is sound sealed one down side is that it gets hot, very quickly and Jamie is feeling the heat. As he stands, he slips misses the table and slips towards the floor, I get to him as he is getting up "are you OK?" I ask, "yes, yes he replies" I go to move to the door to get help, "no please give me a moment" he says.