Anna was going to be late. Most days she raced the clock, but today things were well and truly lost.
She raced toward the bus stop in the hope that, maybe, it would still be waiting just for her. She knew it wouldn't be good to get her hopes up like this but she couldn't help it.
It was not.
Sighing in frustration she flopped down on the bus stop bench. God I need to get myself together. things aren't going well already and with this too... She really wasn't ready for another job search.
Getting back up from the bench, she realized what she needed to do. The walk ahead wasn't looking pleasant.
Where are sick days when you need them.
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It took nearly 90 minutes but Anna stood at the entrance of the office, winded from walking up and down the foggy San Francisco hills. She gazed up at it while putting her hands on her knees.
Roughly 15 stories high. Everything about it screamed pre-chaos, from the glass paned walls to be unreinforced structure. She would hate to see how it fares in a breach. Luckily the Angel on duty was a vigilant one.
She stepped through the doors, making her way quickly towards the elevators. Taking one all the way to the 12th floor.
Just keep your head down and maybe no one will notice. The doors opened and she was met with the click-clacking of keyboards along with a sea of lower heads. They rose as she moved passed them, though no one looked particularly shocked. She found her cubicle quickly and sat down, fluorescent lights buzzing above. Her computer chugged to life with a button press and she let out a sigh of relief.
I think I may have gotten away with it.
That was when she felt the hand on the back of her swivel chair. The disappointed voice of her supervisor --always just a bit louder then it needed to be-- broke the last of her hope.
"I see you care more about beauty sleep then remaining employed Ms. Harlowe." She was always slightly amazed how he could sound tired, irritated, and condescending all at the same time. "If you really want to keep working I would suggest not showing up two hours later then everyone else."
She glanced up at him then quickly looked away again. He was absolutely too close. Her eyes landed on the clock. "Only an hour and a half late..." Once the words were out of her mouth she knew they weren't the right ones, "I uh..." She searched desperately for what to say. "I'm really sorry Mr. Bowring it won't happen again."
He snorted. "I believe it was something almost exactly like that last time Anna. And does it really matter what the time is, you're still late." His voice dripped with contempt.
She winced. "I really promise this time. I won't ever be late again. One last chance please."
"I do hope that's the case because you won't get another. Now get working!" He finally moved out of her personal space and started to walk away. "If it were up to me you wouldn't have gotten this many," he muttered just low enough that she had to strain to pick it up.
Sighing in relief she lay back in her chair. That could've gone worse. Last time he lectured me for over 30 minutes. He's probably given up on me. It makes sense, I'm useless at this. I don't even know how I passed the interview, much less lasted as long as I have.
She patted her browning desk cactus for support, quickly remembering why people don't do that.
Putting her tender finger in her mouth she tried to focus on her work, hesitant keystrokes filling the space.
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It only took 20 minutes before she needed a break. She rolled her chair back and glanced out the big floor-to-celling windows. This side of the building was only half a block from the Wall. Something nice at times like this.
Its concrete mass rose higher then the office. looming and grey and crowned in a giant gun. Its presence defined life in San Francisco, bathing the 100 meter gap around it in shadow.
Something about the Wall always gave her a sense of safety, as it did most people. The constant, goliath of a guardian keeping the city safe. It was a symbol of their continued survival.
Sighing once more she pulled back in. I really do need to get back to work.
That was when a low rumble shook through the building.