This day was dragging on and on. The rain hitting my window
was doing nothing to lift my spirits as I waded neck deep through a pool of
paper work on my desk. Even the up-tempo techno music ripping though my sound
system was not doing much more than making my feet tap along in time. Collating
printouts and making sure all the receipts were properly filed for the staff
expense reports was not how I wanted to spend my day. Life as an Intern sure is
glamorous I thought to myself with an extra dose of sarcasm. Maybe I should
take a break from this and go clean out the coffee pots or sweep the hallway
just to mix things up a bit so I do not fall into a coma. I start to get up
from my chair when my terminal chimed letting me know Ken Hicks wanted to talk
to me. I hit the accept button and his face fills my screen.
“How is it going John? Are you done with those expense
reports yet?” He said trying to keep the smirk off his face.
I stifled a groan as I replied “I would have been done by
now if a certain person had bothered to keep his receipts in his staff issued
water proof wallet as per company procedure. Most of them are barely readable
at all and smell like you kept them in your shoe!”
Ken started laughing. “I had to keep them somewhere! You
know I forgot my wallet and press pass in my office when I went on that trip.
It is very lucky that I have a famous and handsome face or I would not have
been able to finish my assignment.”
“I have spent the last 5 hours calling all the shops, pubs
and hotels you visited on your last trip.” I retorted. “It was extremely
difficult getting them to shut up about how happy they were the great and
famous Ken Hicks visited their humble establishment so I could get a word in
edgewise and ask for a copy of your receipts. One guy even recited me a poem he
wrote about how you blew your nose and dropped the handkerchief on the floor and
blessed his pub. He has the hankie in a display box behind the bar.”
“Yeah it has tough being me sometimes.” He beamed. “Well
enough re living my glorious travels. I called you for a progress report and to
let you know I have added a few more items to your task list. We have to keep
you busy and out of trouble you know.”
This time I did groan before I could stop myself. “You could
also keep me very busy with real reporting work instead of this list of mish
mash busy work that was left over from who knows when.”
“Ok, ok. He said with his hands raised up in a defensive
posture. “You can stop what you are doing and leave it for later. The last
reason I called is because Patrick wants to see you in his office right away.”
He reached for the end call button and my screen went back to my desktop.
“Ken, you dork. You could have just said that in the
beginning and saved me some time.” I said. I would have to double time it to
Patrick’s office now so I do not get on his bad side. I wonder what he has for
me?
To be continued…
Submitted By John Ringo #899287