New BFF

Kevin waited until he got a new email notice. He opened it and saw the photos of Barbara with her clownish make-up and underwear by the urinals. He then went back to Barbara.

"Babs, are you insane?"

"What now?"

"You said those photos you insisted I take of you in the mens room were only for your friends, but you accidentally sent them to everyone in the firm!"

Barbara sat frozen for a moment then her eyes went wide. "Oh...my...god!"

"Exactly!" said Kevin. "Come with me to the conference room again. Grab your phone!"

Barbara grabbed her phone, and two hurried to the conference room, getting weird looks from the other paralegals.

In the conference room, Barbara was in a near panic. "What do I do?"

"You know you can trust me completely," said Kevin. "I have never given you bad advice."

"Of course, but what do I do?!"

"First, text those photos to all of your friends with the caption 'urinals make me horny,' to show that's why you took them in the first place, as a lark."

"OK, good," said Barbara as she unlocked her phone and opened the message center.

"Then, go into the bathroom, strip to your underwear again, hide your clothes in the trash, then go around the office telling everyone you lost your clothes and ask if they've seen them. This will let people know that being caught in your underwear is normal for you and nothing to get in a twist about."

"Excellent!" said Barbara.

"Oh, and one more thing, Babs. Put on some make-up. You forgot to do it today. I told you earlier, but you didn't put any one. Do it quickly and don't bother to use a mirror. That will slow you down."

"I don't know what's wrong with me today!" said Barbara. She finished texting the photos.

Kevin went back to his desk. A few moments later Barbara came out, grabbed her make-up bag and ran to the ladies room.

Mr. Kohl, one of the firm's partners came into the paralegal area. "Where's Barbara?" he demanded.

"I think she's in the ladies room," said Kevin. "Is it about her email?"

"Damn right it is! What the hell is she doing?"

"I think she might be having a nervous breakdown, sir," said Kevin.

"I agree," said Alexis, who had remained quiet during all of this. "This is so not like Barbara. I think something serious is going on with her. She needs help."

"True, sir," said Kevin, "I've told her she's acting crazy, but she won't believe me. Twice I've pulled her aside and tried to talk some sense to her."

As if on cue, Barbara came back from the ladies room. She had on another layer of hastily applied make-up, which made her look grotesque, and was only in her bra and panties. She walked to the stunned Alexis: "Have you seen my clothes, Alexis? I can't find them anywhere?! I'm always losing them."

Mr. Kohl stared in stunned silence, and Kevin tried to look confused and concerned.

"Um, Barbara..."

"Oh call me 'Babs.' But have you seen my clothes?"

Mr. Kohl cleared his throat. "Barbara!"

Barbara looked up. "It's Babs now sir,"

"Barbara, get a hold of yourself! You're acting insane!"

Barbara's gullibility kicked in. "I am?"

"Yes," said Kevin, "I've tried to tell you twice today, but you won't listen. You're having a breakdown. Come over here and sit down."

Barbara's lip started quivering. She came over and sat at Kevin's desk. He turned to Mr. Kohl. "Sir, I have some experience with this with my cousin. Let me take her home and see if I can talk her down. She may have to miss a few days."

"Very well," Said Mr. Kohl. "Get some help, Barbara." He walked off.

"You can wear my jacket," Said Alexis. She walked over and handed Barbara a long white coat.

"Thank you dear," said the confused and stunned Barbara.

"Let's get you home," said Kevin, "I know a great treatment to cure you of this anxiety and odd behavior."

Barbara put he coat in, and she and Kevin left while he formulated his "treatment."