Fun at the office

You roll up to the office with just enough time to briskly walk in and log on at your desk. You've worked your way up the corporate ladder and have been sitting in your cushy Assistant Vice President job at your firm. Being on time is mostly a formality, but you don't want to be late today. Despite being a Sunday, everyone on your team is working overtime to get your latest project completed by the due date of November 1st. However, it's not the deadline that has you eager to arrive on time.

The company you work for likes to look out for its employees as much as possible. This mostly means good benefits packages and a lot of paid lunches, but they also want their employees to feel at home while at work. That means leaning into most major holidays--hard. While you could care less about the Christmas parties or July 4th picnics, Halloween is an entirely different situation.

Costume contests have been a staple at your company. Employees are encouraged to participate by dressing up, always within the bounds of good taste. However..."good taste" is dictated almost entirely by you, the Assistant Vice President. And to put it lightly, you've been more than willing to let various dress code infractions slide when it comes to the Halloween Costume Contest. A fact your staff has picked up on and run with.

Alas, all play and no work, means your out of a job. Thankfully, today, you have good news for your team.

You gather your employees into a conference room. Even as they file in you can spot several individuals who have thrown caution to the wind with their Halloween costumes. You power through, trying to keep your attention OFF of those who would distract you. Once everyone is gathered and sat, you tell them the good news.

"Okay," you say, "as you all know, we've been really under the gun with our latest project. "

"Tell us something we don't know," Stan says. Stan is your department's accountant and you think it's oddly fitting that he's come to work dressed as the Hamburgler.

"Thank you Stanly," you say flatly. "It's true we've had our noses to the grindstone the entire quarter. But I can happily report, that our hard work has paid off. I reviewed the latest project updates last night and I just let our CFO know that our project is completed not only on time, but also significantly under budget."

You pause for effect. A few office functionaries beam with pride, but for the most part your staff shares confused glances.

"Oh yeah," says your chief engineer Conrad, "Then why did we have to come in today?"

You smile at Conrad, a stout 5'6" with tan skin, shaved head, but with a salt and pepper beard. His muscles are standing out proudly in his Village People biker costume of leather pants and a leather jacket and cap with no shirt underneath.

"Because," you say, still grinning, "Corporate won't find this out until tomorrow morning. That's right. That means today is billed at time and a half. And I know it's the weekend, so anyone who wants to go home...go. Spend the day with your families, go Trick or Treating with your kids--hell, just go home and take a nap. You'll get paid for the day all the same."

Smiles and conspiratorial glances spread amongst your staff.

"But," you continue, "for those of you who stay...and participate in our costume contest...the winner gets..."

You hold the rest of your sentence to see everyone leaning in, curious at what you'll say next.

"The winner gets my annual bonus."

A fervor erupts from the crowd. You know you're playing fast and loose with the rules, but as you look out, you see men and women dressed in tight, ill fitting, and revealing costumes. You know that you can turn their desire for your sizeable bonus to your advantage. Or you could exercise restraint; judge it honestly and fairly and see who comes out on top. You see an Elvira, a female ninja turtle, a scantily clad cowboy, a witch, a Village Person, a Hamburgler, a female Freddy Kreuger (which is basically Anastasia from reception in a body length sweater), a Minnie Mouse, an Alice in Wonderland, and a Harley Quinn, but that's all your eyes can see without making it obvious you're staring and picking favorites.

"The judging takes place at 2:00 pm today. Until then, enjoy your morning. I've taken the liberty of ordering brunch with mimosas that are available in the break room. If you have any questions about the project or the contest, please feel free to come and see me. My door is always open."