- Thank goodness Mary left, I was sick of her complicating our work, always getting sick and missing all the time. -
- I had to miss my mother's birthday to stay and do her work when she left in the middle of the day. -
Snake tries to ignore them as he boots up his PC and waits for the system to load.
I look out the window.
Everything downstairs looked like a miniature model.
He remembers when he got here and it was taking ten minutes because of the security systems. . .
He starts tallying up the questionnaires, and hopes Mary is doing well with her pregnancy.
W.
/ Hello!
Do you have the night off?
Piranha got the lead!
We want to celebrate, do you want to come? /
A sublime feeling of ''walking'' on the clouds invaded him.
Listen to her friend's laughter.
- Piranha got the part. -
He points to the screen of his cell phone.
- It says they're going to celebrate. Should I invite you too? -
And he came back to earth.
- Yes. What about you Shark? -
- I don't have the energy to look at my cell phone. -
Answers the fish with his head lying on the lunch table and with the eyes of a dead man.
- Tell him I have an important appointment with my lover; the bed, and he's going to bring his beautiful cousins the pillows. -
The spider nods typing every word in the chat.
- What about you Snake? -
-There's a lot of work. -
- Eeeh if no one goes, I better not go. -
- I might go if it's not too late. Will you wait for me? -
- Mmm I could go ahead with the proposals for Planet Gadget and Urban Market,
document schedules and meetings, complete preparations for Thursday's trip,
review the applicant application files. . . -
- They're treating you like a doormat. -
Declares the snake.
- Do you know what I would give to be able to say; No? -
complains the shark, exhausted from so much work.
- I know he accepted too much.
But I have to make a special effort right now.
It's a proven fact that most employees were promoted to Team Leader by the age of 30. -
- You're 27. -
- He tried to fast-forward that moment. -
.
.
.
On his way out he watched as that same guy who complained about Mary agreed to do Carolyn's job, known for flattering people to avoid working.
.
.
The night market has just started.
Charcoal fires lit up the deep night, and thick smoke rose, spreading the aroma of food into the air.
- Are you sure this is the place? -
Snake asks in front of the dingy little enclosure that clearly had a questionable appearance.
It's the kind of small, plain, run-down, hole-in-the-wall restaurant you can find everywhere in streets and alleys that somehow got a food hygiene license and have operated for years.
- I am writing to you. -
His hands are faster than his mouth, by the time I finish speaking he had already sent the message.
Seconds later Wolf appears coming out of the restaurant and inviting them in.
- I'm glad you came, I thought it would be just the two of us. -
The piranha welcomes them at the table with a few empty beer bottles.
- Nobody else came? -
The spider asked, hopping up on the table.
- It's hard to go out during the week, you know; study, family or work. -
The fish answered and asked for more beer.
- Thanks for coming by the way. -
says the wolf, taking a seat.
- Thanks for getting us out of the office. -
A sincere thank you from the snake.
The place gave them the worst first impression, but as Wolf assured, the food is good.
The sauce was authentic and the ''meat'' plump and tender.
As soon as the knife will cut, the oil will flow.
With a bit of coarse salt and cumin on top, it was so good it made you want to swallow your tongue.
And the best part: it's cheap!
- I want ''shrimp'' meatball, barbecued ''pork'' buns and ''meat'' pies. -
Asks the snake after finishing his third course.
His line of sight briefly shifted to the side.
His eyes met Wolf's eyes calmly slicing the ''meat'' from his barbecued ''goat'' leg.
This time he did not look away and said:
- I do not intend to share. -
- How damned envious I'm feeling! -
The suffering-faced piranha beat the wolf to it and replied.
- When I get off the poverty diet I want you and me to go eat all over town. -
Now he can only make do with his ''lamb'' skewers.
- You say when. -
Accepts the snake and then takes a bite of his meatloaf while staring at him.
- Don't listen to him. -
Speaks the spider after swallowing a piece of "Roasted Kidney".
- He's grumbling because he has a lot of work to do. -
- Bad day? -
Asks the wolf.
- Something like that, there were two casualties at work, so there's not enough staff. -
- And they're okay? -
- Yes, they are. One went on maternity leave and the other quit. -
- Why? -
This time the fish asked.
- I guess because I made her cry. -
- Uh, are you the type to get angry at work? -
Wolf asked in surprise.
- I'm also the type that gets angry outside of work. -
- Coff! Coff! -
The dog choked on the beer.
- But this is the first time I've ever made someone cry at work. -
- Just at work? -
The wolf asks again.
- You were lucky it was a lioness. -
Webs tells him.
- Now many herbivores denounce bullying at work in the networks. -
- I wasn't bullying her.
I have to review the financial reports before sending them.
And the financial report I was supposed to present at the internal meeting, I was. . . . Terrible.
I just wanted her to correct it. -
- You just wanted to show him. -
The wolf replied with a smile.
- Yes!
With a mistake like that I could have been fired.
I at best could have been demoted from assistant manager, and at worst, fired or maybe transferred to a subsidiary.
And both probably stuck in the bad books of Human Resources. -
- Isn't that too much responsibility for a rookie? -
Wolf's question seems to light a fuse in Snake.
He picks up the beer and finishes it in one gulp.
- In my Department they have a stupid Hazing in making life miserable for newbies. -
- Have you tried to stop it? -
That makes me finish another beer.
- They already have the art of nicely coloring the story when I report it to superiors. -
Another beer.
- And I realized that none of them wanted to take charge, so they put the responsibility on me. -
Another one.
- That it's my job as Head of General Affairs to confirm and resolve these things in advance. -
Another drink.
- Turns out it's easier to make everyone hate you if you start. . . . -
Another empty bottle.
- And what do you want me to do? I can't be all over the place. . . -
More empty bottles.
- I found out that you can't be a good boss without having a good team. . . . -
It all gets confusing.
.
.
.
- Snake. -
He hears a nagging voice.
- Snake! It's after nine o'clock! -
- What ! -
He pokes his head out of the quilt with a look of terror on his face.
- Ooooh! -
The headache was not long in coming.
- Calm down. -
Says the spider on the pillow he used as a mattress.
- I couldn't wake you up so I lied to you. -
Although he couldn't remember exactly what happened, some fragments were still clear in his mind.
- Oh damn, I ruined Piranha's celebration. -
- On the contrary! You made us feel good about ourselves and our decisions. -
Snake fell from shock to anger.
.
.
.
- Come back in an hour and he'll be ready to go. -
The pig pointed to the clipboard on the counter.
- Fill in his name and number so I can call him if I'm done before he gets back. -
The diner quickly jotted down his number before turning and leaving the store.
He took the Porsche Carrera GT to the shop.
- Just a fan belt change guys. -
He returned to his colleagues who completely ignored his orders and continued playing cards.
The new boss looked at the cards.
They were all silent.
They didn't even think for a moment about finishing the game and even pretending they were working.
She smiled.
- They don't stand a chance with these cards. -
They are silent, showed no interest in his words and kept their eyes on the puddle of bills in the center of the table.
Seeing no reaction.
He began to speak loudly with clear and pronounced words.
- I inform you that you will not leave the premises until you have finished with all the cars unless you wish to be dismissed today. -
Having said this he turned on his heels and returned to his work.
The subordinates who looked like a bunch of casino gamblers reacted overwhelmed.
The job was not due until the next day.
Why did he want it today?
They usually worked at the last minute, that was their way.
Why should they rush and stress? They still had a day and a night to do it.
- Moe. -
Called the oldest of the group.
The wolf poked his head out from under the hood of the car and followed the voice line to where his team was.
- Are you her pet? Are you going to listen to her? Have you no mind? -
- Guys don't start, you know I need the job, and as far as I know so do you. -
- I think he's referring to the tradition of kissing ass. -
- I'm not doing that. -
Emmylou calls him with her red lipstick smile.
- I heard your phone ring, maybe it's important, can you take five minutes. -
He avoids the stares of his classmates because he can already imagine what they're thinking.
S.
/ Sorry for ruining Piranha's night.
It was very wrong.
It was my mistake and my fault.
I wanted to ask you for his number so I could apologize to him too.
And ask for his favorite flavor of cake.
:( /
The wolf smiled at that last one.
- With those legs, butt, and pretty face she's only good for pole dancing. -
He managed to hear Andy's voice from the shop door.
He just hopes they're talking about one of those magazines they secretly bring in and not his boss again.
W.
/ And you plan to do it over the phone?
How about this.
Piranha had to go out of town because the commercial is on the farm.
I offered to pick him up, you could come with me and welcome him with the cake.
That would be great.
But only if you can, I know you must be very busy. /
The snake could read the answer at lunchtime.
- Webs, can you come out again tonight? -
He didn't bother to ask the shark who fell asleep at the table.
- Sorry Snake.
The Media Team advised that they were seeing a drop in traffic on the website due to the constant system crashes.
We thought we had it fixed yesterday.
But the system errors returned.
We had to postpone our schedule due to those errors.
If we don't resolve it we will be behind schedule. -
- It's okay, don't worry. -
- But what happened? Do you need help? -
He explains the situation.
- Great! Go! Go! Go! -
- I'm surprised by your energy. -
- Lately you've been stuck in a rut, I know it's easier but you need variety. -
- It's because there's been a lot of work to do. -
- You're the boss, find yourself a desperate but useful idiot.
Make him your right hand man and give him insignificant moments of satisfaction so he thinks he's more important than his other coworkers. -
- You mean someone like you? -
- That's right. -
She could see her friend's disappointed face when she informed her that she would be at the train station at midnight.
The rest of that time was spent working.
Now.
Late at night, it was still a few minutes before the last train out of town.
It was quiet on the platform of Line Three.
He is sitting in the station waiting for Piranha or Wolf to arrive.
He started to ramble to waste time.
To get to his work, he could choose two nearby routes.
Each used different train stations.
One route was through the main gate.
Since the distance was shorter, most of his company's workers would use that route.
The other was at the back of the building.
They would have to go all the way around the street and walk a lot further, so no one used it.
The second route is the one he uses.
There was no transfer from the station closest to his home, so he would have to settle for taking that route.
He lowers his head as he thinks about the money spent today, of course, he had to pay for transportation to get here.
- It's good to see you again. -
He looked at the tall standing figure who greeted him happily and then asked with a smile.
- Hangover? -
The reptile stiffened as he spoke in a low, husky voice.
- No. It's just my face when I leave the office. -
The wolf laughed and took a seat next to him.
- That's a relief. -
Unconsciously his leg rested on the seat and touched the snake.
- Sorry for being late. -
Unamused by the static electrical stimulation he felt in the scales of his coils, his eyes met that gaze that glowed like the eyes of Halloween pumpkins.
- It's okay, I have something for you too. -
He hands her a bottle of fuel.
- Thanks for the ride, I think this covers the distance to my house. -
For obvious reasons Webs couldn't carry it without help.
- It was a favor, you don't need. . . -
- I've seen people stop driving their cars because the price went up to over three times their value, and now it's over six.
So stop being an overly nice jerk and accept it because if you have to.
I don't know how you manage to drive that car considering how expensive fuel is. -
With those blunt words he drops the bottle into Wolf's hands.
- How direct. -
Says the wolf aware that it is frightening how the price of gasoline continues to rise.
- I hate being turned down and then having to beg to be accepted.
I understand, you did me a favor.
You don't need to state what a nice person you are and just accept my thanks. -
- It's okay, it's okay. -
He smiles sheepishly (He actually does that.) waving his hands in surrender.
- How can I say no to you? If you sell it that way. -
Snake turned his head silently, currently tapping his tail on the ground.
The wolf noticed his indifference, a little stunned he opened his mouth and closed it.
Then he picked up the phone and looked at the time.
There were still a few more minutes until Piranha arrived home.
The two of them sat silently facing the train tracks.
Where some animals were standing scattered, with their suitcases waiting for the next train.
Because it was already very late at night, the always crowded station was, at this very moment, unexpectedly quiet in a way that was usually difficult to achieve.
Suddenly, Wolf had thought of something, turned his head to look at the snake, and spoke to it in a voice that was neither too high nor too low.
- I had a lousy day at work today. -
The tail that had been slapping the ground stopped for a moment.
Snake raised his head and commented quietly.
- What happened? -
- Ufff it's a long story.
Basically our new boss stabbed us in the back. -
- What are you talking about? -
- We met Emmylou when she started interning with us.
She was great, we all got along.
At that time we had a Manager who was about to retire and nothing mattered to him anymore.
We had paperwork and orders to do piling up.
So Andy, the most senior and capable in the company, took on the responsibility and did very well.
He solved a lot of simple problems that the manager wasn't interested in solving.
He really cared about all of us.
If things got really bad or serious in the life of one of his workers, he was always the most kind, helpful and understanding.
He also has back problems and has a hard time getting around so the manager position was perfect for him.
And suddenly, the temporary employee was promoted to Regional Manager. -
- And that's it? -
The snake's reaction is as cold as an ice cube.
- What do you mean, that's all?! I step over several more experienced animals that applied for the job. -
- Is this your first time?
Actually that happens all the time. -
- I mean; I'm aware.
But I have a right to be angry, don't I? -
- Mmm, as long as it doesn't affect the job.
I've seen a lot of idiots who take it personally and end up fired.
Companies just don't care about their employees. -
- But then shouldn't we expect more from our coworkers? You know, take responsibility. -
- You wanted me to turn down the promotion? -
- It would be the right thing to do.
Otherwise what kind of message would I be sending?
- Of course you would! But no one's going to do that.
It's not personal, it's just. . . . That the world is hard enough and no one wants to set themselves on fire to warm others. -
- That's why we as employees should support each other.
You said it yourself, companies are screwed.
You and I could be fired at any time.
As a worker; Let them treat us that way Don't you think it's disgusting? -
- Sure, but that's a very complex job and we have more important responsibilities to attend to. -
- Yeah, and that's how they get you. -
Snake opens his mouth to say something when suddenly he heard the beeping sound indicating the arrival of the train at the station along with the sound of the wind whistling next to them.
.
. . . Ladies and gentlemen, the train will soon be arriving at Zootopia Station.
Passengers who are getting off, please retrieve your luggage and prepare to get off. . . .
.
The people on the platform are packing their things, preparing to board or disembark the train.
The wolf and the snake head toward the car connector, searching with their eyes for the piranha.
Where their eyes could see, there were a pair of flamingo lovers,
Two or three bears that talked continuously,
An elephant with its head down, looking as if it were about to fall asleep at any moment,
A goose leaned against the concrete wall to play on its cell phone... . .
Piranha exited the train, turned around and looked for a trash can to throw away the empty paper cup of Bubble Tea handle he was holding in his hand.
After raising her head and, out of the corner of her eye, she looked in the distance at Wolf waving his hand in greeting and Snake welcoming her with a box of cake.
Smile.