Norris (part 2 of 3)

Norris

"This is my building"

defiant literal thought of Norris Winterclock

News of the robbery she had witnessed spread quickly throughout the office. Carla Bertene sent Norris flowers and a teddy bear.  And Ahmed Usman sent her a box of chocolates and flowers. More sugar to go to my fat ass, Norris had first thought.  But she was ultimately grateful for the treats and flowers.  The shocking story had not softened her bosses’ hearts when it came to overtime requests.  More often than not Don Chubert was hanging around the coffee machine giving out more coffee than he was drinking himself.  If he gives you coffee he gives you sugar and overtime. Norris worked on salary so overtime only meant more annual time off. I could care less about annual, I have over two hundred unused hours already.  The mood struck her and the need for coffee was desperate. And so she was the only one who asked for coffee this Friday.

Norris pulled up to the Cohort in her small, American-made sedan and stared at the very beige building.  She turned off the car and did not move.  As the cold quickly crept in she hesitated going in. Am I avoiding going in because I’m already a little late? No one would know. Is it because of that creep who stole the computers last week? No, I just want to be with Chuck cleaning his dirty dishes and watch T.V. with him. I don’t want to go to this stupid place.  The pain and dread of going to work was a familiar disgust. Norris swallowed it and left.

The walk from the car was brisk and easy.  She swung open the first set of doors, scurried inside, and then stopped. No one would know that I’m late because no one else will be here today, the sudden thought stilled her.  Then she looked down at where the lock should have been.  Her head cocked to the side in a slow, smooth motion.  Her knees each cracked loudly when she bent them to become eye-level with the missing dead-bolt. Again!?  Norris thought, now, more annoyed that fearful.  This is my building.  The defiance excited Norris but she still felt just as scared when she entered the darkened, open office space.