5 of 79

Write now Article Tools

A Life Changing Christmas

As he walked into the building, Al saw the security officer, leaning carelessly against the desk, as usual. They exchanged their "Hellos" and "Good Mornings", as usual; the day was beginning like any other day. Al walks into the elevator, pushing the eighth floor button, thinking of the Kansas project his team was working on, while the Christmas music chimed around the elevator's walls.

The Kansas project is what his thoughts are absorbed in these days. If they can clear Kansas, then they will have enough states for a monopoly. The company can go through with the merger with J&TT. This has been the idea Al's team has concentrated on all year. Today is the big day. The team hoped to get the promise, to hear the final "go ahead", from the communication commissioner. The elevator doors open. Al walks out on to his floor.

He is walking, carrying his briefcase when he reaches his desk. He is confident; the company's approval will come through. This will be his day, to prove how worthy and loyal he is at his job. It has been almost a year at this project, for this one state alone, he will make the company see how valuable he is to them. He hopes this will allow him the raise in salary; he has not had in three years, or even a nice Christmas bonus, some recognition of good faith.

Al is walking to his desk. Only, something is wrong, very wrong. His desk of over twenty years seems to be missing, this is not his desk, and how can it be? All of his belongings are gone, missing; even his personal photos of his family are gone. He looks around; no one else seems to notice. He checks the desk again; he finds two fairly large brown boxes, sitting under the desk, waiting for him. He does not understand, maybe he is being moved, but why?

Al stoops down, picks up one of the boxes. He sees his name printed neatly across. He sees his home address. Al looks at the other box, same thing except an envelope lies on top. Good, he thinks, now he can find out what is going on. He opens it. Inside is a pink paper.

It reads:
"We regret to inform you, Al Martin, due to unfortunate circumstances, we have found it necessary for this company, PhoneEl, to let some of our employees leave. We do regret this but, since we are uniting with J&TT, we do have to abide by our obligations of the merging agreement. Inside, you will find a check for two weeks of salary. We hope you have luck finding employment elsewhere and again, we do regret this."
It was signed, by the President

• 1
• 2
• 3
• ...
• 7
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Short stories: Christmas?
We want to hear your view. Write now!