The New Guy

The manager pointed to a row of offices. “This is the group you’ll work for.”

The manager stopped outside one of the offices. Bob watched the man in the office type away on his computer as he talked to someone on the phone.

“He’ll be your supervisor.”

They watched the man in the office work.

The manager looked at his watch. “Look, I’ve got some important things to do. You’ll meet everyone eventually.”

“Yes sir.”

The manager pointed at the man in the office with his thumb. “He’ll have some work for you in a few days. In the meantime you can study our procedure manual.” He gave Bob a one page pamphlet, then turned and walked away.

Yes Mom

The apartment was nearly empty. A camp cot stood against one wall. Outside the window, people’s legs walked by. A phone sat on the floor. Bob sat on the floor with phone receiver pressed to his ear. A pile of empty pizza boxes lay on the floor next to him.

“Yes Mom.”

Bob listened to the voice on the other end of the phone line.

“Don’t worry, I’m eating well balanced meals.” Bob pushed the pizza boxes away.

“No. I haven’t made any new friends. It’s only been two weeks.” Bob frowned.

“My boss says he should have time to talk next week. I should get some work then.”

The First Encounter

Bob walked along the street with a pizza box under his arm. He started to walk faster as he caught sight of his apartment building.

A car drove by and parked in front of a small house halfway down the street. Bob slowed down as a beautiful woman in a red dress got out of the car. She walked up to the house, and let herself in. Bob’s eyes followed her from the car to the house.

Bob walked slowly past the house. He glanced furtively at the house. When he passed the walkway, he hesitated for a fraction a second. The moment passed, and he continued to walk back to his apartment.

The Sports Commentators

A new TV sat on a cardboard box next to the camp cot. The pile of pizza boxes was higher. On the TV screen, a man in a blue suit talked to man in a green and purple checked sport coat. Bob stood by the window and craned his neck awkwardly as he tried to look down the street.