Chicken Pox Survivor
It was to be my day. A day of freedom. Yeah. I survived.
Be thankful for small mercies in life. That's what mom used to say. And so it is with that spirit that I got into the car that morning, on Poxing Day 14 and drove to work.
I was beaming - partly hoping that my megawatt smile will detract from the pox marks. And partly because I was glad to end my hermit-dom. But the real thrill was the dozen or more pieces of paper I clutched under my armpits. I could feel their power - their excitement and I was dying to share them.
"Oi Tomas!" I hollered.
"Stay away, pox girl!" he quipped, "My God! Look at you!" He shrieked in horror.
"Jerk," I said, "See this!" I waved my fist at him.
Tomas walks over to my cube and ruffles my hair. I hate that condescending gesture but today, it felt alright. Almost good. Almost. "Prick!" I muttered and shoved his hand away. "How have things been?" I asked
"Shitty. As always."
"Of course. Sunshine hasn't been around," I beamed.
He did a puking gesture.
Then Big Billy walks pass. "Hey, hey, hey," he says.
"Hi Billy!"
"Good to have you back," he then pauses, "when you're done with all this," he circles the air with his index fingers, "could you step into my office for a mo?"
"Sure," I said. My heart raced a little. Having a chat with your boss first thing in the morning is not a good sign. So, I said a few quick hello-s and skipped into the room marked CREATIVE DIRECTOR.
"What's up?" I said casually and slouched on the sofa.
How bad did I pox? What did I eat? What are the Chinese customs on this things? Urgh, Billy, you're horrid at small talk, could we just get on with it? I thought.
"We're restructuring a bit," he finally huffed, "moving people and accounts around. You ..." he does his index finger cirling again, "with Jenna ..." he circles towards the direction of Jenna's cube.
"Jenna?" my eyes widened. Jenna is this freshie art director.
"She may not be as experienced as Heng but she's pretty strong conceptually."
"Hmm... I'm not sure. I've never worked with her." I paused, "Have you spoken to Heng?"
He nodded.
"And he is fine with that?"
He nodded.
Ouch. Strangely it hurt like hell. Like being dumped. Though I know it isn't.
"What about the accounts?" I asked.
He pulled out an A4 sheet and showed me the new line up. I quickly scanned it for the name of my dream account. I let out a little silent "yay!" It is still under me.
"But Heng and I worked on [dream account]. I know he has some amazing ideas for it," I said.
Billy looked pained, as if I had undermined his brilliance.
"I know," he said. Inhaled really deeply on his fag and said, "But he screwed it up."
I gave a 'I-donno-what-u-mean' look.
"Servicing and client are uncomfortable having him on it."
"Serious?" I balked.
"This is too important for us to screw it up some more."
"Still Jenna is too young, too new for this level of work," I argued.
"She's a quick learner."
I felt my volume crank up, "Billy, are you asking me to consider this new partner or are you telling me?"
"Next month," he says.
I stood and left his room.
My day wasn't panning out the way I had wanted. The power of those ideas withered. The thought of not working with Heng was devastating. We had so many dreams. Plans. Hopes of walking up the stage on Kancil night.
"Heng," I gathered myself and walked over to his table, "What is this I've heard from Billy?"
"They want me out."
"Why?"
"I mess things up. Susan's big fuss."
"Can't you talk to Billy and Susan?"
"What for?"
"We've worked really hard for this. Can't just give it up like this."
He sighed. Shook his head. He gave me a last look and continued mousing.
"Tomas," I whimpered, "is it time for your cigi yet?"
"C'mon," he said.
The dark, musty emergency stair made a good hideout.
I sat on the steps. Quiet. Sullen.
Tomas began to rant about management.
"I can't believe this is happening," I said, "Why isn't Heng fighting it?"
"What's the point? You work so hard, fight like crazy, you still get the same salary as the bugger who's a slacker."
"My god," I said, "I can't believe you are saying this!"
"It's true."
"So I should just give up?"
"No, do what you think you should. But let Heng do what he thinks he should."
"It's so unfair."
"Pox girl. You can't save the world."
"I don't want to save the world. I just want to work with Heng. We work well. No. We're a great team. Yeah, I know. He's like half-stoned all the time, he can't make complete sentences, has no interest in anything else by work. I know all that. But that's just why he is so good. He's intense, dedicated. Not like some flaky freshie AD who gets handed an account of a lifetime on Heng's expense."
"Give her a chance. She might be good."
"Tomas!" I stared at him, "Have you been sleeping with her?"
He laughed.
Bad sign.
And not my day.
Pencil chewed at 6:41:00 pm //
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