Silhouettes

"Bob, the boss would like to speak with you in his office."

What? Me? I've never even spoken with the boss before. The day I was hired by the company, his secretary simply shoved a box of projects into my hands as she welcomed me with a dull tone. I soon learned that the boss was an eccentric and anti-social. Most of the other architects in our firm had never seen him either. There were several whispered rumors of why he was never seen. Some said he was a cripple or had a hideous deformity that he wanted to hide. Others say he uses his office as a brothel, and that various women were secretly transported via hidden passages. Ridiculous theories. I had always entertained the idea that he was just sitting in his office wearing pajamas, drinking beers, and watching television. If I had an office, that's what I would do.

When everyone overheard that I was summoned, they all looked at me with varying expressions. There were faces of jealousy, pity, and surprise. They thought I was being promoted, getting fired, or were as confused and perplexed as I was. Just to give them a show, I raised both arms in triumph. I rolled my chair out away from my desk, stood up, and jumped onto my chair. I did two full spins before I violently fell down towards my desk, and broke my lamp. I regained my composure, and gave a short speech. "I have been chosen. It has been a pleasure working with all of you." Again, my arms were raised in triumph as I walked towards the elevator. I kicked the up button, and turned to face my peers, who were all staring bewildered. When I heard the elevator arrive, I bowed graciously and stepped inside. That should give them an interesting story to tell.

Inside the elevator was a mother with her son, young kid about the age of three. Our firm shares the building with several businesses, among them include various clothing retailers. Seemed like the kid hadn't experienced many elevators before. While we ascended, the boy bent his knees to steady himself. When the elevator stopped, he was somewhat disoriented, but looked up at his mother and smiled. As the doors opened and he found himself in an entirely new place, he exclaimed with excitement, "How did we get here?" The two walked out of the elevator. With a frantic voice I shouted, "Why did you get off!? That place is Hell!" I heard the kid crying and the mother screaming profanity as the doors closed. They must have been Catholic.

I reached the top floor, where the boss keeps his office. Nice view, if you like to see things from 60 stories up. But I'm afraid of heights and am very pessimistic. I avoided the very large windows, for fear of tripping into a window, shattering it to pieces, and subsequently falling towards a bloody death. The secretary was at her desk, on a business call. I sat down in a chair and picked up a magazine to read as I waited. Just as I flip to the first page, a pen comes flying at my head. I look up, and the secretary signals for me to knock at the door behind her. Though a bit annoyed by the projectile throwing secretary, I decided it would be best to not take vengeance. I knocked at the door, and heard a voice inside tell me to come in.

With great nervousness, I opened the door and walked inside. There, a muscular man with an intimidating stature stood with arms folded in front of a large desk. When I met his gaze, he smiled. "So, do you feel like you've accomplished enough in your life?" he asked. With little thought, I replied, "No. I don't feel like I've accomplished anything at all. My life thus far has been meaningless." He walked up to me and shook my hand. "Bob, if you're ready, we can change your life."

.. to be continued.