The Third Hour
By Tarrant
A/N Sorry it has taken me so long to get this written. Real life once again has interfered with my creative streak.
Of course the usual disclaimers apply. I don't own them, don't have money. Please don't sue me. I just want to play with them.
Sam glanced at the clock on the chair side table. 3:35. She was late. Sam frowned and glanced at the door again, finally she saw movement down the hall and moments later the door to her office opened and there stood Susan with a female corrections officer. The officer guided Susan into the room a bit and then turned to Sam. "Had a little trouble making it into the office alone today, thought I would give her a hand." She nodded a bit toward Sam, turned and closed the door behind her.
Susan stood at the door for several more seconds and then practically stomped over to the couch and plopped down into a ball.
Sam looked down and stared at her hands for several seconds and then glanced up at Susan. She had her head down and was picking at a fuzz ball on her jumpsuit.
Sam took in a breath, stood up and moved over to her desk. She picked up the pad and pen in front of her and rocked her chair slightly back and to the side as she began writing. After about ten minutes she got up, went to the file cabinet and placed the paperwork in a folder and went back to her desk, she busied herself with mundane tasks for a few more minutes and then turned to Susan. "Do you know how to file?"
Susan looked up surprised. "What?"
"Do you know how to file? I have some stuff over there that needs to be put away. Sam waved her hand at a pile of folders in the corner. "If you are going to be here and not talk, you might as well be useful."
Susan glared at Sam. "Of course I know how to file, I'm not stupid."
Sam refused to acknowledge the irritation in Susan's voice. "Good, that's one less thing I have to do today then. That should take you about 25 minutes and then you can go."
Susan hesitated for a few moments, unsure that Sam was serious. When Sam didn't look back up at her, she finally stood up and limped over to the pile; she pulled up a stool and picked up the first folder. Thumbing through the folder she looked over at Sam, "What is all of this?"
Sam didn't look up but instead picked up the phone and began to dial. "The files are confidential, don't look through them-- just put them away."
"Fine then." Susan said sarcastically and shut the folder, she worked a bit while Sam made some appointment calls and when she was done she stood up. "Can I go?"
"May I, and yes." Susan headed for the door. As she turned the knob Sam glanced up from the desk. "Susan, don't show up late tomorrow or the judge and I will be having a talk." She looked back down before Susan could respond. Susan's hand hesitated on the knob for a moment longer and then she pulled the door open and disappeared through it.
Sam sighed a bit as the door closed behind her. She opened the progress notes and began writing.