Broken Tears 4

Broken Tears 4

Melody MacRae was not sure what Mr. Blocker wanted this time. The new young supervisor had the intention of proving that he was the boss of this branch of Universal Saver’s Department store. He had indicated through many changes that he was not interested in anyone’s feelings or problems. He never listened to the advice that employees who had been with the company for many years offered. He appeared to have a few employees who he had picked out to harass continually. Melody felt that she was one of them. She sat with a few of those people at their 25 minute lunch to share what they had found out.

Melody thought about all of her problems as the friends she knew came in and fixed their lunches in the little time that they had. Some of the workers had brought a sack lunch so they would not have to stand in line to use the microwave. Others had brought the cheese and crackers quick eat things one could buy in the store. Only one employee had brought a couple of pizza pieces that she preferred to eat cold. As the last employee came in Violet put her money into the drink machine and waited for her change and drink to come out.

“What? I can’t believe it. I lost my money and got no drink to boot. “ she said as she turned around to see if anyone had got a drink before she come in.

“I think that someone told me that the same thing happened this morning. They were supposed to put a note on the machine but I guess that they did not have time to do it.” responded Ursula.

“Melody. Were you in the main office when Mr. Blocker told Gina that she had to redo the whole organization of her work cubicle? He told her that she was being inefficient.” repeated Mandy.

“I heard that Mr. Blocker threw Rachael’s plants in the garbage and told her that he was docking her pay because she went to the water cooler too many times. Doesn’t he know that she is on heart medicine that will make her thirsty?” added Violet as she sat down.

“What’s the matter? You look like you are really out of it.” inquired Ursula as she peeled her banana.

Melody opened her sack lunch. The tuna and crackers package was hidden by the cookies that she had quickly thrown into her brown sack. She moved the wobbly chair closer to the table in a small room that the employees demanded that the other supervisor let them use for lunch purposes. They considered themselves lucky to get a small microwave oven to use. The sofa that the employees had, was donated by someone a year ago. It began to show signs of a tear in it. Fortunately someone was a whiz in using duct tape and their imagination.

Suddenly, the door swung open and Mr. Blocker walked in. He stared through his brown rimmed glasses at the workers who had stopped eating. Behind him was Penny Owens. “It looks like when I try to get people to work around here, they find other ways to avoid it. Ms Owens, take the names of these people and I’ll get around to talking with them later.” He started to swing around and pivoted back to face the group. “And oh, by the way, you must eat somewhere else starting next Monday. I am thinking of having the fire marshal check this room to see if it is following the codes for safety. I don’t know how long it will take so maybe you should get used to eating at your desks for a long time. “ He turned again and walked away. Ms Owens had a slight sneer on her face. “I hope that we don’t have to remind anyone. I have your names. Have a nice 15 minutes of what is left of your lunch.”

“Now wait a minute. We have 25 minutes of lunch and you interrupted us. “

“That is your problem.” responded Ms Owens who turned around and walked out of the room. Everyone heard the tapping of her heels on the floor as she walked away.

The oldest member of the group, Brad Langston, picked up a pickle that had fallen out of his sandwich. He amazed the ladies who he ate with when he brought a different sandwich to lunch everyday. His explanation was that his father-in-law, who was living with his family, was trying to be helpful and make lunches for everyone that day. His father-in-law enjoyed making sandwiches but worried everyone because he was showing some small signs of dementia. “I don’t suppose you girls know that the rumor mill has it that good old Penny and Arthur are planning to bring in some of their family to work here?” whispered Brad.

“Ms Owens and Mr. Blocker is going to bring in more new people?” asked Gina. “Isn’t someone like the owner going to catch on?”

Brad shrugged his shoulders and put his fingers to his lips to indicate to Gina that she should not talk so loud.

She put a questioning look on her face. “Why?”

Mandy whispered, “Why do you think they are harassing some of the employees who are at the fifteenth year mark in their work? There is a rumor that if people do not accept the rules, they might get pink slipped before the holidays so they don’t have to pay longevity bonuses.”

“Oh god please no!” cried out Melody. “I have been planning to get that money to pay some bills. Now that Caroline has broken some bones in her hand, we will have even more bills.” She looked up at the ceiling as if offering a quick prayer. Her eyes started to water.

“Yes I know what you mean. My little boy has just been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes and must take insulin shots every day. That is not cheap.” said Mandy.

The little group ate the rest of their lunch silently. Outside they could hear the phones ring and the world that they worked in go on.