The Day I Fooled Death – Part 4

When Richard arrived at his cubicle, men were busily packing his workstation on a cart. He interrupted their work, wanting to know what they were doing. He learned with disbelief that they were moving him into his new executive suite. Most of his stuff was already there. With a sinking feeling, he slowly walked to the executive wing.

When he walked passed Frederick McNamara’s door he noticed that Kathleen’s name had been painted on it, replacing her father’s. He was surprised to see that a crew of men, in green coveralls, were busily moving him in the suite of offices next door. One of them was painstakingly painting his name and title on the door. The sight of this made him shiver. He never had liked the feeling of been summoned in the office behind one of these impressive oak doors. Now he had one of his own.

He wandered down the corridors of the executive suite while the crew was finishing their work. As he walked passed Kenneth Price’s office he overheard an enthusiastic conversation in which Kathleen’s voice sounded pleased. He strained to hear more, but was unable to do so without looking suspicious amongst the people walking the corridors.

When he returned, the crew was finally finishing-up. A burly young lad holding a clipboard, walked toward Richard with a large smile on his face. He handed the clipboard to Richard, and said: “Would you please sign this chit, Sir. Your new office is ready for you. I hope that you will enjoy it.”

Richard signed the paper, and thanked the man absentmindedly. He walked into the office and slowly examined its luxurious furnishings. He had always enjoyed the womb-like quality of his cubicle. Now his workstation and reference manuals were neatly arrayed on a large, darkly stained, oak escritoire. The scope of the room was huge. He felt completely lost in it. He sat, at his desk, in a large leatherbound swivel-chair, and looked at his collection of curios on its top. They had made his cubicle homey, but now looked completely ridiculous on the vast expanse of polished wood.

Richard pivoted in his chair and rolled it toward his workstation. He flipped the power switch and watched the screen with glazed eyes, while the operating system booted-up. The familiar patterns scrolling on the display soothed him. He was so lost in his thoughts that almost did not hear a faint knock at his door. He weakly replied to come in.

The door cracked open and Kathleen’s face poked into the opening. She looked excited as she said: “I hope that I’m not disturbing you. Can you spare a few minute for me?”

Richard smiled. He answered: “You should know by now that I always have some time for you. What’s all the excitement about?” Inwardly Richard knew the answer already. He also knew that he could not change her mind, if he was a good judge of the expression on her face.

Kathleen hurried in and closed the door behind her. She came to him and, as he got up to greet her, she hugged him tightly. She quickly straightened up and sat down in front of his desk.

With excitation barely controlled in her voice she started: “They have managed to do it… They contacted dad on the other side!!!”

She got up and started to pace frantically in front of Richard’s desk. She continued. “They will try again late tomorrow and I should be there to talk to him. Will you come with me?”

Richard cleared his throat, and seeing that he would not be able to convince her otherwise, he said: “You know that I will stand at your side. I would like to see that with my own eyes.”

He barely was able to control the sarcasm in his voice. He thought that it would be best to see this demonstration and try to expose it as fraud. His mind was racing at the prospect of exposing Price’s for all that he was. Richard had never liked the man, and the feeling was probably mutual. He exchanged some pleasantry with Kathleen, and buoyed by her mounting enthusiasm, she finally left his office to complete some errands of her own.

Great angst was mounting in Richard’s mind. He sat glumly watching the screen of his workstation. Hours passed and Richard had still not moved. He was afraid for Kathleen, but his nature was preventing him to make a stand against the figure of authority that was Kenneth Price. Finally, with a long, slow sigh he stood up and left his office. Maybe he would think with a clearer mind in the morning.

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From 7/2006: The Day I Fooled Death

The Sass