A Short Shift

"So what do you mean exactly, today is some sort of half day?"

Viola frowned, sitting uncomfortably in her chair wanting answers along with her coworkers. It had been only an hour since she clocked in, and she was beginning to wonder why not many others were in the office with her. Well, manager pops in and has quite a cheeky announcement to make apparently.

"Well, due to unseen circumstances there has been a power outage that affected most of our servers and we have found ourselves unable to proceed with business as usual. You should be happy really, not many people get told they get to leave early."

Her manager beamed, he was a bit shy at the announcement and everyone could tell even he was caught by surprised at the news. Still, this didn't prevent Cindy from speaking up what many of them were thinking.

"So let me get this straight, you guys find out there is a power outage yes?"

He nods.

"And this happened presumably as we are all clocking in?"

Nods again.

"So what exactly is preventing us from just leaving right now then?"

"Well, technically you've all clocked in and legally we are bound to provide the bare minimum of three hours of a work shift so..."

Cue a series of groans and sighs from the rest of the office staff, accompanied with several tossed papers floating to the ground.

"This is bullshit, so what we just dick around for another two hours then?" Viola argued.

"We aren't any happier than you guys, losing today is going to set us back a bit on our schedule. But yes, that is the case. Any problems you'd like to mention you know where I'll be, and Viola I suggest you watch your tone and language next time. Thank you guys, and well... good luck."

He waved at them as he spun around and headed down the hallway, once the elevator doors behind him closed everyone was free to shout out their thoughts about the whole ordeal.

"Bloody bullocks!"

"The fuck is this shit?"

"Fuck this! I'm walking out!"

"Like you have the balls to do that, Gary. Just grab a chair and sit down, that's all we can do."

Viola stayed silent, as much as it pained her she had to agree with Stacy here. Leaning back on her chair, it squeaked loudly as she spun herself around a few times and groaned out loud. Finally her chair came to a hault as soon as a familiar face sat down beside her, equally annoyed and flustered at the situation.

"Could you believe this mess? Damn wanker leaving us all miffed, what nerve. Well, least you had the courage to say how it is, I'll give you that."

Viola chuckled, it was meant to be sarcastic but she did appreciate the comment. "Yea well, we're all pissed off here. But like, what can we do? Easiest two hours to make money off of, I guess."

"Well, you got a good one there. Bout any minute now, she'll be yapping away spreading stories again you'll see. Reckon it'll help make the time pass. 3...2..."

"Alright then guys, gather around. If we're stuck in this hell hole we might as well make the most of it. Anyone got gum?" Stacy hollered around.

Cindy and Viola both giggled. "Told ya."

Well, maybe this won't be too bad I guess.