Lorne Mean powerplay
Of course, on the way back to my office, Van met me in the hallway, hovering to service my needs. He had a knack for just appearing whenever I was about to look for him. I wondered if he was part psychic. They probably had implants for that too.
"Welcome back sir. We missed you." He said with a cheery smile. You know, any other day I'd have taken that at face value and responded like-wise but today, well I wasn't in the mood for levity. False or otherwise. Maybe it was the terrifying flight back, or the valium wearing off, or the fact I hadn't sleep for nearly a week now. Maybe it was that odd conversation I'd had with the Fredster over Knox. Whatever the cause, I was turning into Grumpzilla.
"Please tell me that there are no major appointments today." I pleaded with him as we entered my domain and I plopped myself onto the chaise lounge by the window. The sunlight was streaming in a little too brightly, I covered my eyes distractedly.
"Nothing I can't reschedule, sir." Van replied, pressing a remote to draw the blinds and already heading to the mini bar to fix me a cure-all.
"It's Lorne, Van. Just plain Lorne." Plain and grouchy. Green and out of sorts.
I silently watched Van mix me a drink, my headache was coming back with a vengeance, which was just swell. "Do you enjoy your job Van? I mean, does it make you happy in the morning to get up and come to work for me?"
"I find it fulfilling." He replied. Hedging, but at least it wasn't flat out grovelling. Van had proved a remarkable assistant. I even enjoyed his singing when the time came for monthly reviews. Still, I didn't know how far I could trust him.
"I hear that some people are gossiping about Fred and I dating each other. Isn't that a hoot?" I said casually. He nodded with a smile as he handed me a martini.
"I had a bet on Mr Gunn being the one, with the girls from the Steno-pool, but now you've been added as a contender. Congratulations."
They had a bet going? Speculating about Fred's love-life? I wasn't amused. "Well, don't change your bet on my account. It's just a silly rumor, complete nonsense. Oh and I'm not sure that Miss Burkle would appreciate finding out that people were gambling over her private business." Van got the message and nodded. Hopefully the news of the bet wouldn't spread too far.
"Welcome back sir. We missed you." He said with a cheery smile. You know, any other day I'd have taken that at face value and responded like-wise but today, well I wasn't in the mood for levity. False or otherwise. Maybe it was the terrifying flight back, or the valium wearing off, or the fact I hadn't sleep for nearly a week now. Maybe it was that odd conversation I'd had with the Fredster over Knox. Whatever the cause, I was turning into Grumpzilla.
"Please tell me that there are no major appointments today." I pleaded with him as we entered my domain and I plopped myself onto the chaise lounge by the window. The sunlight was streaming in a little too brightly, I covered my eyes distractedly.
"Nothing I can't reschedule, sir." Van replied, pressing a remote to draw the blinds and already heading to the mini bar to fix me a cure-all.
"It's Lorne, Van. Just plain Lorne." Plain and grouchy. Green and out of sorts.
I silently watched Van mix me a drink, my headache was coming back with a vengeance, which was just swell. "Do you enjoy your job Van? I mean, does it make you happy in the morning to get up and come to work for me?"
"I find it fulfilling." He replied. Hedging, but at least it wasn't flat out grovelling. Van had proved a remarkable assistant. I even enjoyed his singing when the time came for monthly reviews. Still, I didn't know how far I could trust him.
"I hear that some people are gossiping about Fred and I dating each other. Isn't that a hoot?" I said casually. He nodded with a smile as he handed me a martini.
"I had a bet on Mr Gunn being the one, with the girls from the Steno-pool, but now you've been added as a contender. Congratulations."
They had a bet going? Speculating about Fred's love-life? I wasn't amused. "Well, don't change your bet on my account. It's just a silly rumor, complete nonsense. Oh and I'm not sure that Miss Burkle would appreciate finding out that people were gambling over her private business." Van got the message and nodded. Hopefully the news of the bet wouldn't spread too far.