CHANGING GUIDELINES

A snufflezz production: (updated whenever)

Chapter 1 Part 2

Not a single soul in sight? She grinned, happy that there was something to scream at her subordinates for. And the computers weren’t even switched on. She made a mental note as she made her way towards her special cell with the golden letters “Financial Controller” imprinted on the door. Suddenly, Diane sensed that she was not alone. She spun round to see that she had missed someone, the part-time girl she employed three months ago to help out with the surge in invoices during the year-end sales.

The girl’s hair was tied up in a ponytail, her big eyes hidden under her thick glasses. She looked up and smiled at Diane, politely addressing her, “good morning Miss Chan”.

“Good morning.” Diane forced a smile. What’s her name again? Diane tried her luck.

“Eileen?”

“Elaine.” The young girl corrected. She looked up at Diane patiently, waiting for her response.

“Where are the rest?” Diane tried to sound as nonchalant as possible.

Elaine turned to face the stacks of invoices that occupied every inch of her desk. “In the ladies.” She whispered softly.

Not a very good liar. Diane looked at the almost empty office, then at the girl. Overworked and underpaid. An A-levels graduate waiting for her university application results slogging here for 5 bucks an hour. How pathetic. Diane thought. She probably has the highest qualifications after me. How ironic. I should fire all the other overpaid employees.

She rummaged through her laptop bag for her keys, and opened the door to her lonely little transparent compartment. The aquarium-like design enable her to watch the rest work, but it also meant that she would be closely watched like a guppy in a tank.

She closed the door after her, shutting herself from the outside world of treachery and politics.