Back to Work

Monica left the cafeteria and entered the elevator to go back to the 4th floor. She pressed the button, and the door closed. Then she was alone with her thoughts, and she was confused. Monica wasn't sure what the Brand Adjuster had said. What did he mean, 'complacent'? What did he mean Hubert 'might have considered his offer'?

"What is that supposed to mean?" She said out loud, in the empty elevator.

The elevator paused at floor two and the door opened. Some man with a funny hat and flowered button-up was patting another man on the shoulder, it was Hubert.

"Make sure to take this to bossman, and he'll know you're serious." said the man with the hat as he handed Hubert a package.

"Thanks, uh, Jack. I'll, uh, do that." Hubert nodded.

Hubert stepped in, and the doors closed. Hubert and Monica stood together, quietly.

"Hey, uh, Monica. How, er, are you, er, doing?" Hubert nervously fidgeted and avoided eye contact.

"I'm fine, Hubert." Monica said, annoyed.

Hubert fidgeted some more, but didn't respond.

"You're acting funny." She said.

"Am I? Um, sorry."

"So, who was that man you were talking to on the marketing floor?" Monica asked, trying to make conversation.

"That was, uh, Jack, one of, um, the, uh, guys, that does stuff with words, and people. I, um, got a special package, for bossman." Hubert shifted his feet a little.

"Special package, and who's 'bossman'?" Monica was intrigued.

"That's just what Jack calls the Brand Adjuster, I think, um..." Hubert blushed and looked down at the floor.

"The Brand Adjuster? Are you friends with that creep, Hubert? After he belittled you a couple days ago? That's kinda pathetic." Monica couldn't believe him.
Her thoughts instantly turned to what the Adjuster said earlier about Hubert.

"Er, I, um, it's not that simple, Monica." Hubert was clearly uncomfortable.

"Yeah, well, whatever." Monica turned away from him.

They stayed quiet for the rest of the ride. When they got to the fourth floor, Monica was the first to leave, she couldn't stand the tension. She walked out, without a word.

Hubert didn't get off, he was, of course, going to the 5th floor to deliver a package.

(Hubert perspective shift here: https://chyoa.com/chapter/Hubert-Goes-To-The-Brand-Adjuster%27s-Office.1518067)