I have been trying to write this story for quite a while. Let me know what yall think.
The morning started off like any other for Thomas Cullpepper. He arose at 6:30am, laid out his clothes for work, showered, and watched the 'Today Show' while eating 'Honey Bunches of Oats'. This was his daily drill and hadn't changed much in the past seven years. The predictability of his life, the way he orchestrated it, usually brought great comfort but for some reason this morning he found himself bored with it. As Thomas sat on his bed, only half listening to Al Roker, his mind drifted. What would happen if the routine that he loved and worked so hard to maintain were thrown off track. How would he handle it? Could he even deal? Suddenly A loud used car salesman interrupted his thoughts with talk of 'no money down' and brought him back to reality. His reality. The one he diligently labored to create and those fleeting thoughts of changing it were quickly tossed away.
By 7:55am, Thomas was pulling into his parking space at Hinderman & Associates ready to start another day. He'd started working for Mr. Hinderman right out of college and had been there for about 7 years. Thomas had applied for a prestigious position in the company but was offered a job in the mail room. Of course he thought that job was beneath him but took it anyway because he knew this the company was on the verge of being the biggest public relations firm in the southeast. It would do him well to get in anywhere he could even if it was only the mail room. He also knew that with his drive, winning personality, and killer smile, it would only be a matter of time before he was recognized and moved to a position more fitting his talent. And a few years after he started, that's exactly what happened. He eventually worked his way up to a department manager and the office buzz had him next in line for assistant regional director.
'Morning Mrs. Lindler!', Thomas said as he passed the front desk
'Morning to you Tommy'
Thomas always made it a point to merrily greet everyone he came in contact with in the mornings. He would flash that smile and call them by name, all in an effort to make them believe that he was more than their co-worker but also a friend. This couldn't be further from the truth. It was just one of many tools that he used to manipulate. Thomas knew that they all loved him and why wouldn't they? His morning ritual would keep him in everyone's good graces even though he really could not stand most of them. Even Mrs. Lindler.
As Thomas stepped off the elevator and rounded the corner to his office, he ran into Sheila Dunder.
'On time as usual', she said walking toward him.
'That's the only way to stay on top’, he said with a wink.
Sheila was a statuesque, take charge woman who, just like Thomas, had dreams of climbing the ladder at Hinderman & Asso. She was essentially Thomas' only competition and also rumored to be in line for the assistant regional director position. They both started working there at the same time and in the beginning, there was a lot of tension between the two of them. With two head-strong young kids who both had an eye on the prize, there was bound to be some clash but Thomas decided early on that he would take control of the situation. He would lure her into camaraderie instead of competition and as far as he could tell, he had been successful. Like all the others in the office, he really didn't like her much either and behind the smiles she always saw on his face was basic distaste of her. While he basically dismissed her, he was sure she thought of him as a friend.
'Don't forget that report is due this morning. We don't want to disappoint Hinderman.'
'That report was done yesterday Ms. Dunder.' ,Thomas said with playful banter. 'And this is the reason I will soon be getting that promotion and not you'
'Sure you are', Sheila said as she was walked past Thomas. 'But I wonder how that will happen when you are getting fired today.'
'What?!', asked Thomas as he turned around to face Sheila. He saw her rounding the corner to her office when he shouted again,'Sheila, what did you say ?'
'I said sure you are', she repeated from around the corner.
'Of course that's not what she said.' Thomas thought as he sat at his desk. 'Why would I be getting fired. Hinderman loves me. I'm like his son. He said so!'
Thomas decided that he would just dismiss the whole thing as his imagination and get busy on the final touches of his report. As soon as he pulled up the file on his computer he was interrupted by the dull beep of his phone. It was exactly 8:03am.
'Hinderman and associates this is Thomas Cullpepper speaking' ,he said pretending he didn't know who was on the line.
'Hi baby', came a sweet sounding voice from the other end. It was his girlfriend Monica. He knew this because she called him at the same time everyday. Just the way he liked it.
'Hi babe.' he said. 'Can't stay on the phone long. Got a big meeting to get ready for.'
'I know I know. Just wanted to call.....as I do every morning.'
4 years after Thomas started working for Hinderman & Associates he decided that it was time to focus on a relationship. He'd worked so hard to move up in the company and figured that his next move should be in the area of his love life. Add one more element to the image that he was building. That's when he met Monica.
'Well, I am actually glad you called.' ,he said. 'You were a little loud this morning when you were leaving.
'Loud? Babe, I know how you feel about that so as usual, I was as quiet as a church mouse on my way to work this morning.'
In the beginning Thomas thought that Monica was a bit rough around the edges and was not sure if she would ever be able to fit the image that he had in mind. It was never about love for him. It was all about the image. She was pretty enough and she did have a lot going for her so Thomas was sure that with his help he could turn her into something good enough to hold his arm at office functions and dinner parties. Of course, just like with everyone else, he would have to manipulate and make her believe that he really cared for her and all the suggestions that he made about her look, her car, and even the way she dressed were because he wanted the best for her. For them. Three years after their 'relationship' started, Thomas was proud of the person he had helped her become.
'Well, all I know is that you woke me up.', he insisted. 'And who is Antonia?'
'Oh. Umm, she’s a new client of mine' she explained. ‘and I did take a call from her but I wasn’t loud.’
'All I kept hearing this morning was 'Antonia' this and 'Antonia' that. You know how I need my sleep babe.'
There was a pause then Monica said, 'Look honey, I know you're busy so I’ll just see you at lunch today. We're still on right because I want to talk to you about something.'
'Of course. Talk to you later.'
So caught up in work that day, Thomas barely noticed that hours had passed and it was now 11:45am. He decided to wrap up what he was working on and get ready for his lunch with Monica. Although the work had taken his mind off of the hours, it had not taken his mind from what he thought he heard from Sheila that morning. He could not shake it so Thomas decided that he would make his way to the water cooler and see what the gossip was that day.
When he stepped out of his office he could see Jamie Thomas and Constance Jones standing at the cooler talking. Their backs were to him so Thomas could not quite make out what they were saying but assumed that it must have been good judging by the whispers and hand gestures. As he got closer, he thought he heard them say something about someone getting fired and this made him quicken his pace just in case their conversation was a continuation of what he'd told himself Sheila didn't say that morning.
'Hi Guys' ,said Thomas as he came up behind them. 'What's the word around the office today?" He felt a shift in the atmosphere as he came into the conversation and this worried him.
'Everything is just as it always is Thomas.' said Constance with a nervous smile. It was no secret that she was attracted to him and Constance was not very good at hiding it. He, of course would never entertain the idea of having anything to do with her. He hated her perfume. He did however, often use her to find out information.
'Well, I was just wondering what the buzz was around the office.' Thomas said looking into her eyes. 'I thought I heard someone talking about someone getting fired today.'
'Well actually..' Jamie started but was interrupted by Constance.
'Actually we were just going back to work!' she said pulling Jamie from the water cooler.
'Wait', Thomas said to Constance reaching out to hold her arm. His sudden gesture startled Constance and she dropped her water bottle on the floor. As she bent down to pick it up, Thomas thought he heard, 'Poor thing, he really doesn't know.'
'Doesn't know what?' said Thomas.
'What?' Constance said looking up at him with bewilderment. 'I didn't say anything.'
'I thought you said...' Thomas said trailing off. 'Never mind' he said as he made his way to the elevator. Seemed that he was still hearing things.
On his way to the restaurant to meet Monica Thomas' head was filled with confusion. 'What is going on in the office today', he thought. Not only was he now consumed with the idea of being fired, twice that day he's heard people say things that they said they didn't say. Was there a big joke being played on him? Thomas was deeply entrenched in his thoughts that he almost missed the turn for the restaurant.
Walking into the swanky cafe, Thomas saw Monica sitting in their usual spot talking on her cell. He noticed that she was still wearing her gym clothes but today he would not make it an issue. He had more important things to worry about.
'Hi baby.' ,he said as he walked up behind her chair. He kissed her cheek. He noticed that she had already ordered his Perrier with lime, just the way he liked it.
Monica quickly said her goodbyes to the person on the other end of the phone and replied, 'Hi Thomas.'
'Babe, you will never believe the day I've been having.' ,he said as he sat down.
'Oh really?' ,Monica said taking a sip of her water. At that very moment Thomas noticed something strange. Just beneath what he was sure he saw her say, Thomas could hear more. 'Great, he's had a bad day and now I’m about to spring this on him.'
Puzzled, Thomas asked, 'I'm sorry, what did you say?'
'I said 'Oh really'....why?'
'Oh...I just thought' he said trailing off. Not wanting to appear crazy, he decided that he would say nothing to her about what was going on and instead changed the subject. 'Anyway, how was work today with Antonia?'
'Antonia.....Well honey, I want to talk to you about that.' ,she said. Again, he saw her mouth these words but at the same time he heard 'I've been waiting for a girl like Antonia all my life'. This time he could not ignore it. He was definitely hearing things that her mouth was not saying. Was he reading her thoughts? If so, what was this leading up to? Thomas decided to just play it cool and see where the conversation would lead.
'Ok, let's talk' he said.
'Thomas, I want to get your thoughts on something. See honey, Antonia is not only someone who comes to the gym, she is also a special friend', is what she said but he also heard, 'She's the best lover I ever had.'
Shocked, Thomas took a sip of water hoping that it would hide his surprise. Monica continued.
'and I've been playing with this idea in my head for a while but now I feel comfortable enough to bring it to you and see what you think' is what she said but he also heard 'I'm sure he won't mind her joining us in the bedroom' This statement almost made Thomas choke on the Perrier.
'See baby, my friend Antonia asked me something and I told her that I could not give her an answer until I talked to you.' is what she said but he also heard 'Shit, after that panty thing he wanted to do, he better not object to this'
'I think that what she has in mind will help me and you' is what she said but he also heard 'It'll help me cause at least she can make me Climax.'
At this point Thomas could take it no longer. 'Just say what you have to say Monica' Thomas said. It came out a little louder than he intended and he noticed that tables around them started to stare. He was loosing his composure.
'Ok ok' said Monica. 'Antonia would like for us to…' She paused. ‘Join her swingers party.’ Was how the sentence was finished without her even moving her lips.
Thomas immediately pushed back from the table and stared at Monica in disbelief.
‘I can’t believe you’ he said.
‘Honey, I haven’t even finished what I was saying’
‘I’ve heard enough’ said Thomas.
Monica noticed the flushed look on his face as Thomas got up from the table.
'Baby....are you ok?' she asked but he also heard as he walked toward the restaurant door 'Damn....I'm glad I didn't tell him she was a dwarf and into watersports'
Back in the comfort of his car Thomas took a moment to try to figure out what was going on. After the scene in the restaurant he was staring to believe that he could actually hear peoples thoughts. His rational mind told him that was crazy but how else could he explain the things that had happened that day? As he drove back to his office he found that the low hum of the engine that would normally reassure him that all is well in the world just didn't have that effect. 'I just need to get back to my office where things are normal. Things are the way I engineer them!' Thomas thought as he pulled back into his parking space at Hinderman & Associates.
As Thomas passed Mrs. Lindler's desk he faintly heard her ask him something about lunch but was much too focused on the problem at hand to entertain her simple conversation. He ignored her racing past her desk to the stairs thinking that waiting on the elevator would take too long. He ran up all three flights so when he arrived at his floor he knew he looked a little flustered. His plan was to make it to his office as fast as he could and draw as little attention to himself as possible. He could never let them see him in such a way. Before he opened the door from the stairwell, Thomas made sure that he was presentable. He wiped the perspiration from his brow and tucked his shirt back in so that no one would see on the outside the turmoil he was going through on the inside.
Finally walking into his office, he closed the door behind him to have a little privacy while he figured out his next move. After sitting down and reviewing all the events that taken place that day, he was convinced that he could, indeed, hear thoughts. This ultimately led Thomas back to what he heard Shelia say, or think that morning. He had to find out if he was really on the verge of getting fired. Thomas figured that the only way he could know for sure was to do some investigating. Thomas looked at the clock on his desk and saw the time was 1:30 pm. The presentation wasn't due to start until 2:30pm so he had some time to play around. He would need to talk with someone familiar.
Constance was sitting in her cubicle, eating a cheese sandwich when Thomas walked up.
'What's up Connie' he said trying to sound friendly despite his current condition.
'Hi Thomas' Connie said putting away her lunch.
'No need to do that' said Thomas touching her hand 'I just wanted to stop by and talk for a min. You know, we never get a chance to do that anymore'
Constance, a timid, mousy woman, who also started off in the mail room with Thomas.
'So how are things?' he asked.
'Everything is fine' she replied unable to look him in the eye. 'and the reason we don't talk as much is because you're the rising star of the company and there is no time for us small people. I guess we just have to make an appointment for small talk with you.'
They both laughed. Thomas decided to get right into it.
'So let me just get right to the point Constance' said Thomas. 'Ive been dealing with something all morning and I was hoping that you could help me out with it. Every since we talked, something has been on my mind.' He was interrupted.
'I am so glad I wore that thong today. He must have noticed at the water cooler’
This made him pause for a minute.
'Please continue' Constance said.
'Yes, like I was saying, since talking to you this morning I've had some things on my mind'
’I knew that if I was patient and waited, one day he would finally come crawling to me' is what he heard. She sat facing him with the beginnings of a smile on her face. Hearing this, he wondered if he should even continue the conversation.
He rushed to ask, ‘I just wanted to know if you had any information about anybody getting fired?’
Constance looked at Thomas for a few seconds then looked around the office. She leaned in toward him then said in a whisper, ‘Well Thomas, I didn’t want to say anything this morning because as you know, I am not the type to get into office gossip’
He was finally going to get some answers.
‘I really don’t even feel comfortable discussing it but since it’s you, I’ll make an exception’ It looked as though all that flirting he had done was about to pay off.
She leaned in closer. ‘And I feel really horrible that you are the last to find out about this’
Thomas was starting to get anxious.
‘but the whole office is saying that today, after the meeting, they are going to let..’
‘Thomas, what are you doing?’ said Sheila walking down the hall. Just as Constance was getting to what he had been dying to hear, Sheila interrupted them.
Irritated he replied ‘Just trying to have a conversation with Constance.’
‘Well there’s no time for that! The meeting is about to start.’
Thomas looked down at his watch. The time was only 2pm.
'It was moved up.' ,Sheila answerd before he even had time to ask. ‘Word is Mr. Hinderman has a big announcement.’ She said with a smile.
‘Well Thomas, you better get going’ said Constance as she turned her chair back around to her desk. He had been so close to finding out if it were true but now the window was closed.
