Happy Monday everyone. Let’s jump in with the morning prompt. Timers at the ready and off we go.
I think a lot of the news is affecting me.
Monday, March 3rd: That is the question.
“That is the question,” Michael said. “Do you have an answer?”
The others stared at him. Michael wasn’t certain if it was shock because he bothered to directly ask the question or not. He knew that no one here ever actually asked anything directly. They sidled up to answers as though they were skittish horses. They danced around issues hoping the answer they most wanted to know would slip out while discussing the inconsequential.
Michael had played the game before and could play it very well. He was, among the others at least, famous for being able to get the answers he wanted without having to resort to asking actual questions.
He was however at the end of his tether. He had been dealing with things for months and was quite frankly done.
He saw the disapproval in a few faces and more importantly he saw the anxiety skitter across the face of the person he was asking.
‘He isn’t ready to tell me,’ Michael thought. He nearly snorted. After months of this, he still managed to confront Frank before he was ready.
Michael stood. He didn’t take back the question. He didn’t soften it or give Frank an out. He simply stood and waited. Michael had never minded long silences. He could sit and out wait most people. They would become uncomfortable with the silence well before he did. It was one of the key factors he used when he didn’t want to ask questions directly. Now, the question still staining the air, Michale waited. He stared at Frank, not inviting anyone else into the discussion. He saw Frank’s eyes dart to the side, scanning the others, looking for rescue. Michael heard someone clearing their throat.
Michael didn’t turn. Didn’t give them an opening. He heard a shift as though they were getting ready to stand, walk over and intervene.
“Well?” he demanded of Frank. “Shall I take your silence for a yes?”
Whoever was moving stopped, frozen in place. They all waited. Frank licked his lips, little pink tonge darting over them. Before he swallowed hard.
“I have to say,” Frank began. He stopped and cleared his throat. “That is,” he took a deep breath. “Your estimation is essentially correct.”
He almost seemed to shudder with the admission.
“I see.” Michael nodded to himself. He was certain he had the measure of things. It was, more than anything, a relief to know he was right. He reached into his pocket and took out his key card from his pocket. He tossed it down on the table.
“I’ll stop by HR on my way out to make it official.” Michael started to turn.
“But,” Frank began. “We have time, I mean it isn’t immediate.”
Michael smiled. “I’d rather just have it done with.” He turned and left the room. He knew what Frank was up to. He wanted Michael to stay, to do the work on finishing the expansion before he was told his services were no longer needed. His contract ended six month’s prior and Frank wouldn’t sign a new one. He kept putting him off. Michael suspected that he would be put off until the project was done and then let go.
‘But I am not under contract.’ That he knew would hurt Frank as he scrambled to replace him.
Ten til Midnight 