Ducking and weaving Tony was making his way towards the lift. All around him were exclamations from fellow employees as he barged past them all out of breath. At the elevator, he sees that all the lifts are already engaged with a bunch of people already waiting to be transported all over the building. Looking around frantically he sees the service elevator (the one that everyone claims is haunted). Desperate Tony rushed to the left, jamming his finger into the button hoping and praying it would come quicker. See Tony is late for the most important meeting of his life. He has recently been earmarked as a candidate for manager training school at the local branch of an international banking conglomerate. As part of the package, he would be fast tracked on the manager course where he would go on training for 3 months with all the other most promising candidates of the international conglomerate. Currently Tony's only a low-level customer service adviser. He mainly assists with the opening of accounts and other such mundane tasks. With a loud ring, the service elevator opens up, dust spilling out of the roof panels. Tony hesitates on his chosen route. But there's no longer any other option! Stepping quickly Tony misses the height gap between the elevator and the shaft. In tripping over the gap he slams his hand into the top floor button for the training area. With a crack, the old plastic breaks and a flash throws Tony against the opposite wall. Crumbling to his hands and knees Tony blearily shakes his head. Coughing from silver smoke Tony struggles to catch his breath.
“What is this... cough cough… stuff?” Tony sputters.
Finally able to breathe enough to stand up again Tony stumbles out of the elevator. Down the hall, the last trainees State at him as he stumbles closer. Catching sight of himself in the hallway mirror he is surprised to see he isn't covered in dust. Behind his eyes, there is a flash of blueish white for a moment. Shaking his head at the absurdity of it all he makes his way to the training hall.
“Welcome candidates!” an obese man in a penguin suit calls from a podium set up on the stage to the left of Tony. Facing the man are rows of meeting-room seats half-filled with nervous faces. Quickly finding a seat at the back Tony starts paying attention. After some curious looks, most of the other people turn to the front as well after the man in front clears his throat loudly.
“As I was saying, welcome candidates to the best opportunity of your lives! I am Jonathan. You are in most cases the best and brightest our company has to offer!” a pained expression flashes across his face,” You will all undergo extensive training at our exclusive training academy in the Mariepskop in South Africa. You will be taught how to lead the people under you.” Tony sees the only three other guys eyeing the ladies in the room and snickering. Sighing Jonathan continues” This might also be the time I introduce you to the facility manager. Please welcome Miss Adams!”.
Next to the snickering threesome, a motherly Asian woman stands up. Short at about 1.6 meters tall with an ageless face the growing miss Adams walked to the front of the room ignoring the pedestal behind which a bemused Jonathan was standing.
Smiling serenely Miss Adams starts speaking: “Morning everyone. For starters could the gentlemen in the middle please stand up?” As the three smiling mockers stand up Miss Adams continues. “As you all could see these 3 gentlemen laughed about having someone working under them. As such I believe they are a risk to this great company for a sexual assault lawsuit. Gentlemen you are excused from this meeting and unfortunately do not meet our requirements for management material. Please leave the room and return to your previous still existences. If possible please also leave our employ but that is for you to decide. Goodbye!” Shuffling the three idiots leave the room not making eye contact with anyone. Once the door slams closed miss Adams continues.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“As you all know this is a prestigious company with a long history of providing some of the best services irrespective of the industry we operate in. This program has been designed with your future in mind. We will teach you everything we know about people, marketing, accounting, the various cultures we encounter on a daily basis as will add keep your bodies for while we do so. You might ask why all this? Simple, a healthy body breeds a healthy mind and a balanced individual bring this amazing company sustainable profits.” She finishes with a beatific smile. “Please come and fetch the information packs from the front, they contain all you need to know. Please make sure you fill in the checklist prior to your pickup date as we will not take unprepared individuals. Have a nice day.”
Walking to the front of the room with other candidates Tony stumbles over something soft. “Aghhh!!” Finding himself on his hands and knees for the second time in under an hour Tony looks up into the tightest the greenest eyes he has ever seen. Surrounded by a beautiful frowning face. Wait. “Oh, Shit!” Tony exclaims, “I am sorry, I tripped over something again.” Smiling the redhead starts speaking in a sweet voice, “ Don’t worry, it is an old handbag. I am Casey by the way.” Blushing Tony hurriedly gets to his feet, extending his hand, “ I am Tony, sorry again!”
“Don’t worry about it, see you at the training.” Brushing past Tony Casey picks up her somewhat disheveled handbag and information pack and walks out of the hall. Frowning Tony fetches his information pack. “I really need to get a handle on this sudden clumsiness!” Tony fumes.
Getting home to his 2 bedroom apartment Tony looks around at the bare walls. “I need to liven up the place”, he thinks for the thousandth time. Opening the pack Tony sees the list has mostly mundane items. Some exercise clothes, hat, toiletries and duster. “Why the hell would we need a duster? Oh right, probably a duster jacket, not an actual duster.” Tony laughs at his own idiocy. Slouching on his couch Tony puts on a documentary about lions in the savanna. Yawning he gets comfortable.
“Tony, can you hear me? Focus on the sound of my voice. That’s it. Focus!” A strange voice demanded urgently.
“What??” Tony blearily yawned. “Who is that? Come out or I’ll kick your ass!” He shouts standing up and moving to the knives in the kitchen. Grabbing one and quickly checking the kitchen for intruders Tony faces the room.
“Tony, relax! There is no one here. I am a voice in your head. Just focus on my voice for a second, there, can you see me now?” The voice says softly, seemingly trying to be soothing.
In front of Tony, a hazy image outline of a woman materializes. More outline than detail but damn! What an outline!
“What the hell is going on here??” Tony shouts angrily.