Later That Day

"Don't worry Ms. Allison, I'll make a note that your trip to Geneva has been extended" Monica told her boss over the phone.
"Thank you, Hanlon, and don't forget to send the minutes from the last board meeting. Goodbye."
"Of course, Ma'am." Monica hung up. She sighed. Today was a pretty tense day. She looked up.

"Oh no." she thought. The one man she didn't want to see was walking right up to her desk. The Brand Adjuster. He didn't seem to immediately say anything.

"Can I help you?" She tried not to be too confrontational.

(Brand Adjuster)

"Actually, yes, I believe you can." He began to roll his shoulders a bit and it looked like he was pretending to be in pain or something. "My shoulders have been killing me."
Monica tried to suppress rolling her eyes. She knew where this was going and didn't want to play that game. "I'll get you some painkillers." She began to open the drawer in her desk.
"No, no. That's not what I mean. I want you to massage them." He was insistent.
"Excuse me?" Monica couldn't believe this pig. Was he really just going to straight up treat her as some sort of object for his needs?
"The new incentive program allows female employees to motivate their male colleagues, remember? You can get a raise if the men rate you 'exceptional'. So, how about it?" The BA spoke again.

Monica thought to herself, "Stay cool, it's not mandatory, do not let him get your goat." She smiled, "I'm fine."
His face immediately turned to a frown. "I can report you for insubordination, you know?"
"I can report you for sexual harassment. The program isn't mandatory."
He looked as if he was about to say something then someone else came over.

"Uh...sir...I don't mean to intrude, but...if the lady isn't interested...would you mind letting her work?" the man who came over said. Monica looked him over. He was a largely man who looked very nervous, not too shabby looking, but definitely wasn't as handsome as the Brand Adjuster. "Hubert" was printed on his silver name tag.
The Brand Adjuster didn't seem pleased, and looked to analyze him. Monica figured she should say something before the BA absolutely fries this Hubert guy.

She lights her eyes up. "Exactly. See? If you let me work, I'm sure other girls will be more willing to massage you." Monica makes an effort to point out all the women she considered the bimbo-est of the bunch, all giving various male co-workers back-rubs around the office floor or blowing them kisses. The BA doesn't react to the comment, instead he continues to stare down Hubert.

"You want a massage, Hubert?" He asks.

Monica shuttered internally, this Adjuster guy had no qualms picking on the lowly accountant.

"Well, it's not that bad or anything, but...yeah. I've been working a lot lately and I wouldn't mind a little R&R. But, uh, no ladies...are really offering, and..." Monica notices that Hubert is pretty uncomfortable, he's obviously not very confrontational, and he begins to scratch his neck a little.

The Adjuster smiles and turns to look back at Monica with a steely gaze, "See? This guy needs a massage. Can you help him?"

There is some silence, and she really felt bad for her new rescuer from the BA's harassment. Hubert really looked like he could catch a break, she wouldn't **** herself with the Adjuster watching. She looked to Hubert with a sad look, "Sorry, I just don't believe in being a tool for male pleasure. It's just a principle thing."

She thought the poor guy might cry a bit but caught her off guard. The Adjuster seemed to be observing.
Hubert responds, "Yeah...uh...I'm cool with that Miss Monica." He shoots her a thumbs up sign. The gesture made her giggle, and she had to catch her mouth. Mr. BA didn't seem to be amused. He stormed off and pointed his finger in the air like a defeated cartoon villain. "Alright, I guess I'll leave you alone. Just remember this is all for the benefit of the company though!"

Monica smirked and shook her head. "Whatever you say. Thanks for the opportunity, sir." She smiles as he walks away, and put an emphasis on the sarcasm. It didn't seem like he heard her. A guy like that might hold a grudge. She looked over at Hubert who began shaking a bit. Obviously, he was not used to defending a damsel like herself from the likes of a guy in a fancy suit.

(Hubert)

"Hey, thanks for sticking up for me, big guy. You did a real solid there." Monica smiled at him and lightly punched his arm.
Hubert looked at her and blushed, "Ah, no problem. I, uh, didn't want you to be harassed or anything, and I saw how you were with the Brand Adjuster, and, well, it was pretty easy to see that you were uncomfortable and..."
"Whoa, slow down cowboy." Monica laughed a bit. "You're a bit nervous, huh?"
"A bit? Yeah, I'm pretty nervous. I'm not good with women or higher-ups, heh."
"Well, I'm not a 'higher-up,' so I'm sure you'll be okay with me. Just relax." Monica gave him a reassuring smile, she didn't want the poor guy to freak out or anything. He was the nicest person she'd met in this office so far.
"Yeah, right." He breathed in and out slowly. "You're pretty nice, Miss Monica."
"Please, call me Monica, without the 'miss'."
"Yeah. Monica. Nice name. Monica." Hubert was clearly still a bit shaken.
"Yeah. So, I didn't expect you to be so bold. Where'd that come from?"
"Oh, well. I'm usually the kind of guy to avoid confrontation, but it's hard to watch someone as cute as you get hassled by creeps like that guy, uh, yeah." He seemed to still be a very nervous wreck, perhaps surprised she was talking to him.
"Thanks, I'm flattered. Are you the kind of guy that gets intimidated by attractive women?"
"Uh, yeah. Well, I mean, I get intimidated by pretty much all women."
"Well, don't be intimidated by me." She winked at him, which only made him blush even harder.
"Okay. Yeah. Sure. I'll try not to." He smiled, a bit. "Uh, yeah. Thank you, Monica."
"No problem."

He seemed to stand around for a few seconds awkwardly. "I, uh, gotta get back to work!" He seemed to start running away back off to his workspace, pretty fast for a larger guy. Monica chuckled, it was cute.

Monica's phone began ringing and she picked it up, "This is Monica speaking, how can I help you today?"
"Secretary Hanlon? This is Dr. Verlax. Please make sure my assistant gets my mail for me prior to this afternoon! Science is at hand!"
She rolled her eyes. This company is filled with nutcases. She looks at the clock, it was roughly 3:17 PM. "It's already the afternoon Doctor, did you want me to page her to receive it for you now?"
She could hear what sounded like laughing on the other end.
"That would be fantastic. I will make a mental note that you are competent at your job."
"Uh, no problem Doctor, thank you." Monica hangs up. It seems Anna wasn't wrong that the R&D head was a bit bonkers.

She pages her friend.