Morning all. Busy day today so let’s just get it started by jumping into the morning’s writing prompt. Timers set for fifteen minutes and off we go.
I think I condensed the story a lot simply because I wanted to get the ideas onto the page. If written out I would stretch this out and add blocks in. But I do like the hoist by his own petard angle.
Thursday, October 22nd: He narrowed his eyes.
He narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean a transfer?” Dan asked.
Martin sighed heavily as though disappointed in the question, even though he had to know it was coming.
“It’s a promotion,” Martin said. “It comes with increased pay.”
“It comes with hazard pay,” Dan pointed out. “That’s not a pay grade raise.”
Martin again sighed. “You put in for a promotion.”
“Yes, because we had three people retire here and the positions were available and I am qualified. I have the experience, the training and the credentials. I already do a large percentage of the work.”
“Now let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Martin said holding up his hand. “You do good work, solid work, which is why I have authorized the transfer. However we needed people in those positions who have certain qualifications that you lack.”
“Did you change the job description?” Dan asked.
“Well no,” Martin said. “The job is the same.”
“So the official posting with the qualifications is still the same but you decided there were extra qualifications.”
“The qualifications were needed,” martin said. “The paperwork to change the official designation simply hasn’t gone through.” His voice was snappish now and Dan knew what it meant. Martin hired lackeys for the positions. People who would do his bidding without questioning him. People who would bend the rules for him and not realize that he would leave them holding the bag if something went wrong.
“Who is filling the positions?” Dan couldn’t help asking. Martin listed the names. He recognized them and nodded. “Fine,” Dan said. “I’ll take the transfer.”
He turned and walked out of the office. He shook his head and let his anger simmer. It didn’t simmer long. This was a typical Martin move that he couldn’t actually sustain any anger. ‘Best I’m out of it anyway,’ he thought.
He knew that despite Martin’s wished, things would not run smoothly. Each of the three people retiring believed he would be the one taking their place. As a result they transferred a lot of duties to him in the last six months in the name of training him for the position. He had been doing all of his job and at least half of each of their three jobs since then. His anger evaporated as he realized the situation.
He was leaving and the other three retired. The fact that none of their tasks had fallen through hadn’t been questioned. When Martin put his yes men in place, there would also be a new hire for his position. His official position, not the position with extra duties. He expected that would come as a big surprise to Martin.
‘And who knows, maybe it won’t be so bad.’
Dan finished out his shift, locked down his station and went home to pack. In truth it wasn’t much to pack. He rented a furnished place and rarely ate at home. He had clothes and a few personal items. The transfer was quick and soon enough he was on his way out.
To his surprise he settled in well to the new station. It was considered hazardous but as he was only doing one job, it was significantly less work. In addition, his boss valued competency over obedience. He was three weeks into his new role when his new boss called him into the office. Dan thought it was a review.
It wasn’t.
“We’ve had several calls from your old station,” Carver explained as Dan took a seat. “Martin Garrison is the one calling.”
“He’s my old supervisor.”
Carver nodded. “I gathered a much. I need you to be honest about the position there. I know you may feel some loyalty, but I need a fair assessment of the situation before I decide how to respond.”
