Dave drove around the parking lot looking for a space. He had overslept and was running late. Normally in and at his desk before Frank arrived, Dave swore to himself and headed for the visitor lot, where he knew there would be openings available. Not that there weren’t plenty of spaces in the “north forty,” the nickname of the employee parking lot on the far side of the complex, but he hated to walk when he could park much closer. I should have asked for a reserved spot, he thought, eyeing Dorothy’s new Lexus in the “employee of the month” spot right next to Jack Garrideb’s space. He knew her reputation as the hotshot marketing associate. I should head up marketing, thought Dave as he pulled into the first available visitor’s spot, grabbed his briefcase, and opened the door.
Todd, from site security, was making his rounds. He worked the early morning shift, which suited him just fine. Being a people person, he liked waving and greeting the other employees as they arrived for work, and at a company like Garrideb Technologies, he got great benefits—much more than he would have gotten down the road, working security for some of the other companies in the area. He spotted the red sports car heading for the visitor’s lot and decided to investigate. “You’re a Garrideb employee, aren’t you?” he confronted Dave after noticing his employee decal on the window.
“What? Yes, I’m late for a meeting with the executive committee,” Dave said, continuing to get out of his car. “I’m Dave S. from research; I have the plans for the new product line,” he said, raising his briefcase into the air, “and it wouldn’t look good for me or you if I’m late for this meeting.”
“Employees park in Lots B, C, and D, sir,” Todd reminded Dave. “I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to move your car over to the employee area.”
“Listen, Todd,” said Dave, eyeing Todd’s name from his badge. “I told you, I have a meeting and it’s very important.”
“Sir, you can’t park here,” Todd countered sternly. Dave gave him a mean look, closed his car door, and started to walk toward the building entrance. “I’m going to have to ticket you, sir,” said Todd, speaking to Dave’s back as he moved away.
“Do what you have to do, Todd. I don’t care, and I’m certain some important people won’t either after I present my material,” said Dave loudly as he walked away. “New products pay your salary, Todd, don’t forget that!” shouted Dave as he hustled off without turning around.
“Hi, Dave,” chimed Debbie from accounting, who made it a habit to be walking down the hallway toward the lobby every morning, just to bump into Dave. Today, she had already walked this route four times and was beginning to wonder if Dave was coming in or not.
“That asshole,” muttered Dave under his breath, but loud enough that Debbie could hear him.
“Are you all right?” she inquired, drawing closer and hoping to engage him in conversation. Dave looked up.
“Yeah, I’m okay, just flew in on the red-eye from the coast,” said Dave, as he passed her by in the hall. He’s seen me almost every day for three months now, and he’s yet to give me more than a “good morning” and a wave! thought Debbie sadly, as she walked over to the cafeteria to re-refill her cup.
Dave got to his office and threw his briefcase onto the credenza. Grabbing his notebook, he headed for the cafeteria for coffee. “Hi, Marge,” he beamed as he passed by her desk. “Is the big guy in today?” he said, peering into Frank’s office and noting his briefcase wasn’t there.
“Off-site executive committee meeting; don’t expect any of them back until Wednesday. How was your weekend?” she asked.
“Oh, the usual, I stayed late Friday afternoon to finish that report for Frank; probably the one he’s giving to the committee at the off-site.” The meeting I should be presenting at, he thought.
On the way to the cafeteria, Dave always made it a point to stop by every desk. In his brief three months, he had met and introduced himself to almost every employee. He had his lists. There were the losers, of course. Guess I met another loser in the parking lot, he thought, chuckling. But Dave also took note of who the winners were, and the wannabes, of course—there were several of them in this fast-growing company.
As he entered the company café, he noticed Dorothy at the coffee urn. Nice, he thought, smiling. “So, the employee of the month drinks coffee like the rest of us?” said Dave, coming up behind her.
“Oh, hi, yes. I know, the parking spot,” Dorothy said, turning. “It’s embarrassing, actually. I’d like to think I’m just . . .”
“I’m Dave, pleased to finally meet you.”
“Likewise,” she said smiling.
“Can I buy you some coffee?” he said jokingly.
“Sure, anytime.”
Discussion Questions