Hold Harmless
She held her head in dismay, bewilderment, and relief. Her hands were uncontrollable and her trembling legs felt powerless. Trite phrases and common expressions could not account for what she had just experienced. She tried to capture her thoughts in some fashion allowing her to report the wretched details with adequate accuracy and sequential order. Her head was pounding and she knew her blood pressure must be off of the rooftop. She sat in the middle of a room in utter chaos and her mind felt a certain camaraderie with the hectic scene before her eyes.

Just hours before, Madeline Mason was negotiating the benefits of her appearance before the Commission to testify regarding a client. A client she was unfamiliar with but a case needing her input and assistance. At least that was what the attorney had stated to her when he solicited her assistance. She had been contacted by an employer attorney requesting she review the case and make a determination about the feasibility of this client's re-employment due to the unavailability of the assigned consultant. Madeline felt apprehensive about providing her assessment in a case she had no history with or knowledge of and where someone's future lay at stake. Still, other colleagues had done the same for her and she felt obligated to return the favor.

Madeline immediately called the File Room and requested the file. The file promptly delivered, Madeline proceeded to review the familiar forms and information contained therein, noting certain aspects of impact. Feeling confident of her assessment of its contents, Madeline made her way to the bay of elevators and took the ride to the first floor where Commission hearings are conducted.

As she entered its brass-lined glass doors, Madeline was greeted by the attorney who had earlier cajoled her into appearing. They were ready for her and she, in turn, felt ready to provide quality testimony.

The hearing lasted longer than Madeline had anticipated and she was relieved when it finally ended. As she exited the Commission, she reminded the attorney of his promise of a specialty coffee and he gratefully obliged. Madeline and the attorney made their way to the coffee kiosk at the opposite end of the lobby and Madeline inadvertently noticed a small group of her colleagues gathered at the end of the main elevator bay. Figuring they were on an early break she continued to the coffee kiosk and made her selection.

On her return to the elevator bay, she

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