The Next Day At Work

Monica and Anna sat in the cafeteria, having their lunches. Work was pretty uneventful, although the Brand Adjuster's program was still in full swing. It wasn't anything Anna and Monica concerned themselves with though, for the most part.

"So, tell me, tell me, did anything happen?" Anna asked.

"What are you talking about, Anna?" Monica sighed.

"Don't play dumb, Mon, did Hubert get in your pants last night?" She chuckled.

"Oh, God, no. All he did was walk me home. He was a complete gentleman." Monica smiled, remembering how he complimented her when she was venting all her problems.

"I don't think that's like him." Monica stirred her coffee, thoughtfully, but Anna still shot her a glance.

"Really, Anna, nothing happened." Monica reiterated.

"Alright, alright, I believe you. Sorry. It's just that you were the talk of the office today, you know. There are bets on whether or not you're actually dating the guy. And, of course, the Adjuster was completely jealous, I've heard. It's like the whole office is rooting for you guys to bang."

Monica laughed. "Anna, we aren't dating. He walked me home, it's not like it's a marriage proposal. Besides, I'm working on my career, not on finding a husband."

"Yeah, well, a lot of the people at the office are looking to find a husband, or a raise." Anna pointed over to one of the blondes that worked in accounting. The blonde was currently sitting next to man really whispering in his ear and stroking his shoulder. It was another woman selling herself out for a promotion.

"Well, good luck to her." Monica took a sip of her drink.

Some silence passed.

"Oh! I almost forgot!" Anna said, a little too loud, but then quieted her voice. She spoke quieter, "You didn't open your e-mail today did you Mon?"

"Oh, shoot, I forgot. What is it?" Monica usually forgot to check the company e-mail. It was just a bunch of boring nonsense.

"Well, Dr. Verlax told me under no circumstance to open any e-mail from marketing for the time being. I dunno why, but it's got him all worked up. He was mumbling something about 'brainwashing propaganda', and if he is getting worked up about something, it can't be a good thing." Anna stared at her like it was life or ****.

"Uh, thanks for the warning, Anna. I'll keep that in mind."

"Yeah, no problem, just thought you should know."

Anna finished eating and said her goodbyes, she had to go to a meeting.

After she left, Monica sat at the table, by herself. She was curious about what the company would want to market. The last time a marketing e-mail went out, it was about the company's new policy regarding company-sponsored healthcare. Monica sighed and decided she was probably just bored and that was the only reason why she was so curious.

"Mind if I sit here?" A male voice asked.

She looked up and saw the Brand Adjuster standing above her.
"I mind. Bye." Monica rolled her eyes.

"Now, now, there's no need for that. Let's try again. May I sit here?" He smiled.

"Fine, but don't talk to me." Monica went back to her thoughts.

"You must have had a wonderful time with that fool last night. You know he has a crush on you, right?" The adjuster's voice dripped with contempt, and he took another swig of his black coffee.

"Who? Hubert? Yeah, I could tell, and it was adorable." Monica couldn't help but smile.

"Oh, yes. Quite the charmer. You should see him during his quarterly interviews. He's an idiot, and his performance review reflects that. He's not a man, he's a bumbling oaf."

Monica narrowed her eyes.

"Don't look at me like that, Monica, what do you care? Didn't you just tell your friend you're not dating him anyways?" The adjuster chuckled.

"You're such an ass. Do you know that?" Monica said, annoyed.

"Well, I'm an honest ass. You could use a bit more honesty in your life. Maybe it'd teach you a few things, maybe not." The adjuster finished his coffee. Then he just stared into the empty cup. "Anyways, I figured I'd tell you I personally had a conversation last night with your little 'boyfriend' Hubert, before he left for the night."

"And?" Monica asked, impatiently.

The adjuster looked up, "Well, let me just say I shared some ideas with him on how to make you more 'complacent' in the office, a bit more of a 'team-player', and I gotta say, by the look on his face, he may as well been considering my offer."

"I don't even know what that means."

"You will, trust me." He smiled and proceeded to get up.

"Whatever, jerk." Monica said.

"Enjoy the rest of your lunch, Monica."

The Brand Adjuster tossed his trash and walked away, laughing to himself.