"I found your report very intriguing, John. One of the best ones I've seen this year."
"Thank you!" John replied letting a smile appear on his face. The boss continued to read leaving John to bask in his small glory. He looked down and saw his tie was a bit off center. He knew it would go back eventually but he might as well try and fix it. The entire room was tidy and perfectly in place. John seemed to be the only thing out of place with his wrinkled white shirt, his crooked tie and his untidy brown hair. His black jeans and converse definitely broke dress code but he was such a low rung on the work ladder that no one even cared.
"This is some really good work! I might have to show it to the head dire-"
The door slammed open revealing a young man in a pitch black business suit in the doorway. He carried a report folder in one hand while leaning on the doorway trying to look seductive though John thought he look like a dumb ass.
"Joshua, I was having a meeting with-"
"Sorry to intrude," Joshua said, ignoring the boss' comment, "but I have a report for you."
"He's looking over mine right now." John said quietly. He wasn't intimidated by Joshua but he was a bit shy. At least, in the work environment he was.
"No worries John. I'll just look over his really quick and i'll get back to you in a second." the boss assured him. Joshua handed his folder to him along with his biggest smile. John rolled his eyes. As the boss began to read the report, the room was filled with silence. John glanced over at Joshua and saw him fixing his hair through his reflection in the office window.
"Hmmm..." the boss inspected the paper. He placed it on his desk and looked up at Joshua. John knew that face all too well. It was his disappointed face and he couldn't believe the boss was giving it to Joshua.
"That..."
John waited for the disappointment speech but was suprised when he continued by saying, "was the best report I have ever read! It's so craftily written and your use of statistics are incredible!"
Joshua shot a huge smile at John and replied, "Thank you sir!"
The boss looked at John and a look of puzzlement crossed his face.
"What are you doing here John?"
"Um, you called me in to talk about my report?"
"Oh yes! Well, you're excused. Return to work." John got up to leave but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"Sir, may I have a word with John outside before we start discussing my report?" Joshua asked tightening his grip on John's shoulder.
"Of course!"
Joshua smiled and roughly directed John outside. Once they were both out, Joshua closed the office door and turned back to John.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"What do you mean?"
Joshua pinned John against the wall.
"Don't act stupid! I know you're after my job!" he whispered violently.
"Why the fuck would I be after your job?" John murmured.
The office door opened and the boss poked his head out. Joshua dropped his grasp on John just before the boss could see anything.
"Did something fall? I heard a thud." the boss said looking around.
"John fell. That's all." Joshua reassured him. He turned to John and in a sickening sweet voice said, "I hope you got my message loud and clear."
John nodded and backed up a little to show he understood.
Joshua smiled contently and turned to enter the office.
"Have a nice day John." the boss said before closing the door leaving John alone in the hallway.
"Douche."
"I know right?"
John turned and found one of his closest co-workers leaning on the doorway of another closed office.
"Hey, Andrew."
Andrew just nodded in to show he had heard. For some odd reason, he thought greetings were too mainstream. The truth was it only made things awkward. So John began to fill the silence with ranting.
"So the boss calls me in and in my moment of glory, Joshua, that son of a bitch walks in, steals my chance of getting that raise and then threatens me to stay away from his job! God! He's so fucking annoying!"
"Well what do you expect from the Favorite Son?" Andrew replied.
"The Favorite Son? Who's that?"
"Joshua you idiot!"
"Ohhh! Is that what everyone calls him?"
Andrew nodded. "Yeah. Either that or the motherfu-"
"John?"
John turned to see the boss motioning him to come into his office. He looked back at Andrew who was whistling innocently down the hallway. John took a deep breath and walked back into the office. Joshua was sitting on the chair opposite of the boss, admiring his teeth on the metal side of a stapler.
"So I hear your in need of more money." The boss stated as he sat back down on his chair.
"What? No I - I ... "
"There's nothing wrong with that! No need to worry John."
John saw Joshua smirk at him out of the corner of his eye.
"I have a new worker coming in today. I'd like you to help him since you will both be working in reports. Teach him how the computer program works. Show him around. He's new to the area too. Just help him out. I was going to ask Jackson to help out but Joshua said you would be great and that you needed some extra cash."
John looked at Joshua wishing he could flip him off or something.
"So what do you say John?" Joshua asked smiling deviously.
John took a deep breath. He did need the money but not for the reasons the boss was thinking. He wasn't poor, he just need more cash to get out.
John turned towards the boss and without looking at him said, "I'll do it."
"That's great! He's coming today after your lunch break. I'll call you in when he's here."
The boss stood and shook Johns hand before leaving his office. John ran his hand through his hair.
'Why the hell am I doing this?'
Money, obviously, but he could have easily stolen cash from Brad or his mother who were usually too drunk to notice anything. He didn't need to be wasting his time helping out other people. He could barely help himself in this job.
"Have fun." Joshua said giving one of his grand smiles before leaving.
"Fuck you." John murmured.
"What did you just say?"
"Have a fantastic day."
Joshua glared at John then flipped him off before leaving down the hallway.
'Somebody get me out of here.'

"He wants you to help out with the new guy?"
"Yeah. Hey Omar! Got ketchup?"
"Yep!"
Omar opened his mini fridge and grabbed a small pack of ketchup. He flipped it in the air and caught it just to show off before throwing it at John.
They were all in Omar's cubicle on the third floor eating lunch. John took his usual spot on the desk while Omar sat on the chair and Andrew sat on the floor. They had once eaten in the lunch room until Omar got his promotion and received his own cubicle. Now the guys used it as a place to crash out during break and lunch.
"Have you met the guy?" Andrew asked before taking a bite of his sandwhich.
John, who had mouthful of food, shook his head no.
"And all this happened thanks to that jack ass Favorite Son?" Omar asked opening his fridge back up.
Swallowing, John nodded yes.
"I swear I'm going to drug his stupid muscle milk one of these days." Andrew said throwing his napkin into the trashcan across the cubicle.
As it landed into the can with a swish, the guys yelled "SCORE!"
Ring! Ring!
Omar picked up the phone on his desk.
"Hello? Okay... I'll send him over!"
He put the phone back and turned to the guys. "John, they're calling for you."
John ran his hand through his hair. "Wish me luck guys."
John got up and threw his trash into the wastebasket by the door. He continued to walk past all the cubicles until he reached the bosses office once more. He knocked lightly on the door and waited till the boss granted him permission to enter. John opened the door and found the boss in his seat. In the seat that he and Joshua had been sitting on earlier sat a man in a black dress shirt, dark blue tie and jet black hair. John couldn't see his face but felt as if he knew this man.
"John meet-"
But he didn't have to say his name for the man turned around revealing his face.
'Get me the fuck right out of here!'