5.d.
“Who wants to
read this page?” asked Jack.
Business Woman
raised her hand and smirked. Jack nodded
toward her. She made some mumbling
humming noises and then read the last word on the page aloud and clearly.
“Necessities.”
“Super,” said
Jack. “Now, let’s implement some of
these techniques.”
“What’s going
on?” asked Franklin Buck.
“Yeah. Did I miss something?” Fair Wage said.
“Ah, there you
are, Betty,” said Jack as Betty walked into the room. She held a ledger in one hand. “Betty will go over the measures with which
we will cut down on spending. Betty?”
“Thank you,”
Betty said, smoothing the sleeve of her lavender blouse. “Refreshment expenditures are the largest
area of unnecessary expense. If you note
subsection E of paragraph nine under article one, you will see that we’ve managed
to turn this loss into revenue. Hence
forth all refreshments and snack food items will carry a nominal fee. I’ve taken the liberty of noting everything
each of us in this room has partaken of and drafted invoices. The cost may be deducted from your paycheck
or simply be paid up front.”
“Thank you
Betty. Please send a memo to the rest of
the staff and distribute bills accordingly,” said Jack.
Betty passed
out invoices and then left the room.
“Wait,” said
Franklin Buck. “So… are we employed here
now? And seven bucks for a coffee? This is crap coffee not an extra large,
triple shot, caramel latte.”
Corporate Man
gestured to Franklin , indicating
that the Dollar Man should calm down.
“But I can’t
afford this,” Franklin Buck said.
“Jack,” said
Corporate Man, ignoring Franklin . “As it is mandated by government regulations
that employees shall be provided prescheduled breaks, I suggest we observe such
a break at this time and continue when we return.”
“Oh. Break time already? Take five, people,” said Jack. Then he slumped forward in his chair as if he
were catching a little cat nap.
