A thrill
The office is quite comfortable. It has a fridge, a microwave, a coffee machine and, obviously, a men’s room and a women’s room. There is everything that is needed for a positive work environment. However, there is a person who is ready to give up on comfort for “a benign thrill.” John LaFountaine likes using “the women’s room occasionally.” It doesn’t bother anyone, for he is absolutely “harmless.” The irony is that their work is so dull, monotonous and uninteresting that LaFountaine’s preference for the women’s room and an impressive number of gossips are the only things that prevent them from falling asleep.
Prepared
The office is equipped with “the fire exit.” There are “several on this floor,” and they are “marked accordingly.” Office workers have “a Floor Evacuation Review every three months,” and “an Escape Route Quiz once a month.” They also have their “Biannual Fire Drill twice a year” and their “Annual Earthquake Drill once a year.” The irony is that “these things never happen.” The majority of them consider these precautions a break from work.
The main goal
Gwendolyn Stich brings “Danish on Wednesdays for Hump Day morning break,” and “doughnuts on Fridays for TGIF afternoon break.” She organizes “the Annual Christmas Potluck” and is in charge of “the Birthday List.” Gwendolyn Stich’s door is “always open” to all of them. She will always lend an ear and put in “a good word for you.” However, she is often found crying in the women’s room and huddling in the stairwell. The irony is that the woman, who cares about everyone so much, doesn’t get anything in return. They will fire her as soon as her problems start to interfere with her ability to work.
