Bob began by talking about the weather, and then he went on to say what a fine season they had all had.  He even had the nerve to talk about what they might look forward to next year.

Palms began to get sweaty. They really itched to get hold of their pay envelopes, and get it over with.  Why did Bob always have to make such a big deal out of it?  Why did he have to pretend to be their best friend just before letting them go?

Some of the women exchanged knowing glances, while others just looked into their laps.  Edna put her arm around Eva's shoulder, for Eva was on the verge of tears.  The job meant money to all of them, but for Eva it was more than a job.  It was her career.  She had never worked before, and the prizes she won for packing and for promptness and amiability gave her the self-esteem she had sought for so long.   And now it looked to be over.

Otis began tapping one of the potato pans with his foot and occasionally looked up impatiently toward the ceiling.  Finally, he spoke up.

"Cut the crap, Bob," he said, and even the women looked shocked.

Bob stopped speaking.

In the silence Otis felt he had to continue.

"Why don't you just level with us?  Say what has to be said.  Get on with it.  Level with us."

Now it was Bob's turn to tap his pencil on the desk. Still he said nothing.

Calming down, Otis spoke more quietly to his boss, and addressed him with some measure of respect, and he kept his request as simple as he could.

"_  _  _," he said, "_  _  _  _  _,   _  _  _."
(3 letters, 5 letters, 3 letters)
 

 Copyright 1998 J.J. Schnebel
All rights reserved

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