The Company Man, Part 2

As Henry pulled into his normal parking space, he paused long enough to look at the new construction behind the main building. It was a brand new research institution, complete with some sort of dormitory. He knew because he’d seen them building small rooms, each with a bathroom, and had helped to process the order for all of the bedding and pillows that they needed for the rooms. It was obvious they were kicking off a brand new initiative, and was confident they’d tell him during the next company meeting, which was scheduled to take place in about three weeks.

Reaching into his wallet, he unclipped his ID badge from the fold and clipped it to his shirt. Hitting the remote lock on his keyfob, listening to the satisfying click of the locks as well as the brief shriek of the horn, he strode confidently to the front door, and held his badge over the security RFID reader, and waited for the beep.

But it did not beep.

Henry glanced done, surprised. He looked at the badget to make sure he wasn’t using his Costco membership card again. No, it was definitely his company issued Previx badge.

For a moment he panicked. He’d been fired! They forgot to tell him and now he no longer had a job! Everyone is up on the third floor right now looking down and laughing their heads off at him for standing there like an idiot in front of the company he no longer worked for!

The receptionist caught his attention and made pushing motion with her hands. He leaned against the door, and to his surprise it opened.

“They’re updating the security system,” she explained with a heavy Boston accent. Henry cringed a bit to listen to her. “Right now nobody’s badge is working. We had to prop open most of the doors so people can still get through, and they posted security guards near all the important areas.” She gestured to the door to his right, which is the door he normally went through after entering the building. “Now go on Henry from accounting,” she said with a smile. “No time to dawdle.”

Henry was surprised that she knew his name, but then glanced down and remembered it was printed on his badge that he’d instinctively re-clipped to his shirt. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, he stepped into the elevator, road it to the third floor, and walked to his cubicle.