Paid vacation! (With a little work expected)

“Listen, Vic, you guys are very important to me, and that’s a fact. I need you in tip-top shape. So, since Vinnie’s back from sick leave, and your two weeks are already gone, I’m putting you on assignment.” He handed the key chain to Victor, who immediately recognized the black plastic head of a car key and the brand name of a company specializing in deadbolts for houses. He knew what Mr. Andersen was trying to do, but he owed it to the man to put up a little resistance if only to show he wasn’t totally fried.

“I appreciate it, Mr. Andersen, but I’m an editor, not an anchor.” you say.

“You’re our most senior non-executive.” Mr. Andersen replies. “That gives you an idea of what makes a good employee and what makes...” He gestured to the youths on the other side of the one-way mirror Mr. Andersen used as a window so they couldn’t tell whether or not he was watching. Most often he was, but he didn’t want them to get cocky and make a mistake when he eventually had to go to the restroom or something. They were all going through the motions. One of the research guys was obviously viewing a porn site at his terminal, as evidenced by the bulge of his eyes and the too-pleased look on his face. Andersen entered a few keystrokes to confirm what he already knew, and sent an email to the man’s inbox. The pop-up window indicating he had mail appeared on cue, and was followed by a series of clicks from the young man’s mouse. “Let me finish before I have to tear into Danny Droolsalot over there.” Mr. Andersen continued. “What you hold in your hands is the key to the car parked in in spot 24B and a set of keys to a house on Lake Mexin, and the boat that’s parked there. Your assignment is to round up someone who’s looking for a steady job. Make that several someones. We need all the decent help we can get! You’ll be drawing a recruiter’s salary, which is cheaper than hiring a headhunter but still enough for you to be comfortable, and you’ll have an expense account.”