A Workplace Disaster [Helen]!

[Helen POV]

Helen got up to go to her job at Starlight Industries and she wondered what she was going to do today. Helen just finished some work for the game Deep Runners and was told by the higher-ups that she would be moving onto a new project. Helen was told that they were working with another company called The Next Big Thing for this project as well. Helen wasn’t against working with other people from another company, but she had a feeling that they would be the same as everyone else in Starlight. They would start off productive and hopeful about creating a fun, new game until they get corrupted by the various perks in the company. There were so many incentives and they seemed to be uniquely suited to people’s needs. Helen had a feeling that if there was an option to live here then people would never go home. The biggest thing that Helen didn’t get was that there seemed to be nothing to stop people from goofing off and abandoning their job. Every so often the higher-ups will **** people to get things done by laying off someone to set an example. Helen was one of the few people who tries to work every day, of course, even she’s not perfect and gets distracted from time to time. Helen decided to get a workout done first since she’s starting a new project with the other company. Helen won’t have any pressing work before she meets up with her new coworkers so it should be fine.

Helen walked up to the Starlight Industries and saw the huge imposing building that seemed to reach the heavens. Helen was used to the sight but even though she worked at the company for a few years now, she never been on all the floors. Helen quickly made her way past the worker bees on the first two floors and traveled up to the gym floor. Helen didn’t see anyone in the gym this mourning, but Helen usually doesn’t see many people working out. Helen already had a set of workout clothes in one of the lockers on the floor since she came here pretty often. Helen spent her time working on her legs by running on the treadmill and the bike. She might have overdone it a little because she was covered in sweat. Helen was going to take a shower first but she remembered leaving her USB in the testing room. Helen thought about returning it to her desk before heading up to the spa to dip into the hot tub. As long as she doesn’t take too long she’ll be clean and satisfied before the meeting begins. Helen opened the door to the testing room to see an unfamiliar face. He must be one of the people that were supposed to be teaming up with on this new project. Helen saw that he was checking out the machines and decided to see what he’s all about.

“Hey, what are you doing in here?”

“Waiting for my supervisor to get back. What are you doing in here?”

Helen was sure that she wasn’t going to get into any serious trouble for delaying some of her work by this new guy so she decided to be honest.

“Playing hooky.”

“Are you honest with every stranger you meet?”

Helen was about to tell this guy how wrong he was but everything shifted in a second and Helen realized that he was absolutely right. Helen was always honest with people, especially strangers. Strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet after all. Helen did get into trouble a couple of times because of her honesty policy though. The most memorable one included a time when a stalker figured out her unique policy on honesty and bombarded her with inappropriate questions. Helen was **** to list out her sizes, her daily routine, her passwords, and other important information about her life. Thankfully, Helen’s sister arrived and arrested the stalker for his crimes. Helen was more careful about talking to people but it still didn’t stop her from interacting with people.

“Honesty is my policy after all.”

“Do you know anything about this jumper game?”

“Yeah, Gio made it fairly recently and tried testing it out in here but it didn’t go well.”

“I’m just asking but why is his game so bad. I thought Starlight Industries would have better employees.”

“Since I’m being honest, you’ve only seen the first two floors working hard right. Everybody on those two floors deals with customer service, shipping products, advertising, and other essential jobs that don’t deal with making the game themselves. Everyone who makes the games like myself usually skips out on doing our jobs or take shortcuts when we have to meet deadlines.”

“Why?”

“Everybody can get away with it and there are so many fun places to relax at the company rather than doing work. I just finished a great workout at the gym on floor 3. The only person who diligently does her work is Linda, but I’ve never met her before so I’m not sure she actually exists.”

“What have I gotten myself into?”

Helen wasn’t sure what he was so upset about. This place is pretty good once you figure out what you want from it.

“Paradise?”

“Who are you anyway?”

“I’m Helen, an animator.”

“Is this company filled with sexy, lazy female employees that would rather spend their time goofing off than doing their job?”

Of course, that isn’t….

No, now that Helen thinks about it, it's true. Starlight Industries is made up of sexy, lazy employees that would rather indulge in their hobbies and have fun rather than do their work.

“Yes, yes, it is.”

“That was a joke.”

Helen knows that this guy is joking around because he hasn’t been here long enough to meet the many employees of the company.

“I know, I’m not stupid.”

“Are you though?”

Years of knowledge that Helen had accumulated over the years flowed into nothingness as Helen’s IQ dropped exponentially. Helen thought it was a miracle she got a job at the company in the first place. Helen thought that the owner being a hardcore feminist must play a part if nothing else but not much of that is going on anymore.

“Look, I…. whatever.”

Helen stormed out of the room as Janice entered. Helen was angry that this new guy insulted her like that. Helen needed to relax, so she headed to the spa for a massage.