The Secret Drawer

A few years back, I started a new job working for a Fortune 500 company. When people ask, how is the new job going, the usual response is - great I love my new job.

This job I found creepy from day one. There were many factors that contributed to my professional dissatisfaction. Against the run of play, I did “settle” in and eventually liked the work more than I should. I had some really cool co-workers. I shall not discuss the CATTYBATS. These catty woman who sat around and bitched about everybody. I imagine there were  days where I was a target for their fodder. 

We worked a stretch of about two months, where we worked 12 hour days,with a series of crisis, drama with an undercurrent of pure lack of managerial skills.

We were professionals and got the job done. I vaguely remember the reason for the crisis, or what we actually delivered. I do remember using the word obfuscation for the first time in my life. 

Our boss was as happy as a clam when the team delivered on time. I have no idea why clams are so darn happy. They were equally as intelligent as our boss. 

A few days after, he called myself and a fellow colleague into his office. Not to let the facts get in the way, it was a cubicle. We were a little nervous and mostly kept quiet so we could listen to what brilliance would come spewing out next.

Our fearless leader told us the company would be rewarding us for our tireless work. I think he was a bit intimidated by us and his skittishness showed. He started showing us pictures of him flying an airplane. That little snippet was scary enough. 

I think I said something stupid like,”You didn’t have to.” I was referring to the reward. My colleague knew I was referring to his inane pilot story. 

“You two deserve it” he said while parked behind a boyish smile too young for his years of inexperience.

He walked us over to a cabinet way on the other side of his 100 square foot cubicle.

“You may choose anything of your liking from our gift drawer.”

I looked in the drawer and there sat a few calculators, some t-shirts with the company logo and some decent looking pens.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

We both grabbed a snow scraper and hurried back to work.