The Date Before The Storm
Finn, Karl and I head back toward the office area. I’m feeling pretty smug after my snowball triumph moments ago. Just as we round the corner we run into Jen in the ASAIR Lab. She looks directly at me and says, “Did you come back to knock over some more of my papers?”
I turn to Karl and say “I don’t know if you’ve met Jen but watch out, she throws her papers at you.” We all laugh and continue on passing Zoe at the Stuffed Animal Owner-Matching, Adoption, Passport, Immigration and Completion station (SAOMAPIC). Zoe, who is always friendly and cheerful, seems like she doesn’t feel great today so we nod and press ahead.
Once back in Finn’s office we all start talking at the same time. Finn raises his hand and calls, “Check”. Karl and I look at each other not exactly sure what it means other than it’s clear he wants our attention. We both are quiet.
Finn says, “I have assignments for each of you. We’ve had a couple of emergency, rush orders that we need to get filled right away. You both need to be ready to go tomorrow. There’s a little girl in Kansas that really needs a stuffed wolf and there’s a little boy in New Mexico that needs a stuffed barn owl. Both of these assignments have a short fuse.
Who wants the wolf?”
“I’d like the wolf.” says Karl.
At first my macho instinct makes me want to insist that I get the stuffed wolf assignment. Then it occurs to me that Karl is more capable than me in the art of stuffocation and the offer would come off as some stupid, poorly thought-through macho-ego event…which it was. “Sounds good.” I say.
“You sure you don’t want the wolf?” Karl taunts. It was like she could read my brain waves.
“No I’m good.” I say smiling back at her.
I get one of those “He’s learning looks.”
Finn cuts in with, “Should we all go out to dinner tonight to celebrate?”
Karl say, “No, just V and me.” And then gives Finn a smile that says the conversation is over.
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