Page 12 of The Girl with No Name
“Why?”
“It’s in Lexington, Kentucky. Plus it’s mostly country music. Not really sure it’s my thing.”
“Whatisyour thing? Music wise, I mean?”
“I like folk music. 90s and 2000s punk. I dabble in hip hop. Classic rock. Oldies. I just don’t like country, but they’ve got some great acts, and my friend is trying to get me to go.”
“Did you know the Grand Ole Opry was a copycat of something called the Chicago Barn Dance, back in the nineteen-twenties?”
“You’re lying. No way that’s true.”
He shakes his head. “Look it up.”
I do, and Jay’s right.
“See? Chicago’s a country city. Educate yourself. And stop negating an entire genre because of a label.”
Just then one of my bosses, Hal, approaches our cube.
“What’s happening, guys? I love in-office days. I can smell the in-person synergy happening.”
“We have the best synergy of the entire building in this cube. Right, Reedy?” Jay winks at me. “It’s basically a big, sweaty synergy orgy all day long.”
“Ey…right.”
I love it when Jay makes Hal feel awkward. Hal will never fire Jay since he’s a top performer.
Hal continues, “So, just wanted to make sure you all knew, junior employees are coming in tomorrow as well. The work-from-home era is over.” He lifts a grin, as if this is good news.
“Fridays?” I question. “Really? Thought Wednesdays and Thursdays were it.”
“Didn’t you see the memo?” Hal’s face settles into a frown. “We’re implementing Pizza Fridays, Reedy.’”
I have the urge to throw up in my mouth. I’m fine with Jay calling me Reedy, but something about Hal saying it annoys me.
“Where’s the pizza coming from?” Jay asks.
“Dominos, of course.” Hal says this with a smile, like that’s the best pizza in this city.
“Gross. Thank God I’m asenioraccount manager.” Jay winks at me. “Enjoy your pizza tomorrow, man.”
“I, uh, you know, though, I have something going on tomorrow…”
“Something going on? It’s a work day.” Hal frowns. “All junior employees will be coming into the office now. We’ll be moving back to five days a week soon. Just like the good old days.”
“Uh, yeah, but I’m going out to the suburbs. My buddy is coming in from, uh, out of town, and I was gonna work…”From the burbs. I trail off, realizing I’m losing this battle.
Hal shakes his head and strokes his beard, taking a sip of his coffee. “Look, Reedy, we all have things going on on Fridays. I get it. You’ve got a life. But we’re in the middle of our come-back-to-the-office initiative. If you were blowing your number out of the water, like Jay here, I would say yeah, just stay home! But you’re a junior account manager. You don’t even have your own book of business yet. And you’ve got to put in your time.”
I nod. “Yeah, you’re right. I don’t have a number. It’s dependent on all the field account managers here, who Isupport. But I’ve been running tons of deals for them. Actually, I’ve crushed my personal quota and?—”
“I know. I know you have. Look, when I was your age, old sport, I was in the office five days per week, no complaints. And we’d come in on Saturdays, too!”
“Did that actually make you more efficient?” I ask.
He looks at me like I’m crazy. “Look, Reed, this is an initiative that comes from the very top. We’re bringing in pizza. Hey, we’re all a big cyber family here, in this boat together. Thanks, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Jay snickers as Hal leaves. “What do you have going on tomorrow?” he asks.