Another day at the office

The air was stale, florescent light penetrated every corner of the room and Jeff was talking about another television show idea. Ted worked in a group who came up with ideas for TV shows. They sat around a table with room temperature cups of coffee and talked.

“People are bored with us, they have all of these streaming services and shit and don’t care about cable” Jeff said in an attempt to energize his workers. “Cable television is actually still doing well but if there is a problem its because these streaming services try new ideas while we continue to produce the same kind of show.” Ted explained as he looked up from his pile of papers. Ted was not feeling pumped up to be at work and was annoyed that only he looked at the data gathered. “Ted, Nobody likes the ‘well actually’ guy” Said Jeff. Ted twisted up his face for a second then relaxed it. He muttered under his breath “Well nobody likes you Jeff and your stupid fucking mouth”. No one heard Ted and the meeting continued.

“So what about a show about people in the city, their different struggles as they deal with a world that only glorifies the rich and diminishes the poor. I think it would get praise for its social commentary” Suggested Frank. Frank had dark hair and wore a purple tie. “No, we don’t want to sound like socialists or something. Besides, being rich is great!” Jeff told Frank. “Yes, I am sure being rich is great but almost no one gets to experience that. Wouldn’t it be better to have a show to help people see a real struggle than to glorify the rich?” Asked Ted. Jeff let out a long annoyed sigh “Listen, Ted, if you want to be some kind of communist whatever, its fine, it’s a free country, but  do it on your own time” Jeff said.

“What about a show about a clumsy girl from the Midwest who is hapless but is somehow making it on her own in the city?” Mark suggested. “YES!” Jeff cheered. “See everyone, Mark has it”  Ted spoke up again “I have the data here, in fact we all do. That kind of show is done to death and people aren’t responding to it as much. We need something new!” Ted chimed in. Ted was part of the creative team and was hired to give insight and new ideas but then found out that no one wanted to hear his ideas.

            Jeff stared at Ted, Jeff’s face twisted into some hideous angry version of itself. One second passed but it seemed like an eternity. “That was the best idea all day. People like the familiar. They don’t like new, they don’t like being reminded of their problems like whatever crap you keep talking about!” Jeff shouted. He then calmed down and straightened his tie.

            “What if it’s a guy from the Midwest instead of a hapless woman?” Asked Anne, who was wearing black and had her red hair pulled back into a bun. Jeff gave a condescending smirk like a child was giving out ideas. “No one would believe it if it was a guy. Guys are less likely to be clumsy and get lost. We wouldn’t have as many opportunities for jokes” Jeff replied in a calm voice. It was at this moment Anne wondered if she could get away with murder even with five witnesses.

In her mind the headline reads “Jeff Aourenbough dies of knife wounds, room full of people all say they saw nothing. Mark Applebottom also dies mysteriously. Anne smirked to at the thought.

            Everyone had pretty much checked out at this point. Jeff was satisfied with another successful meeting while the rest of the group wondered why they even bothered to have meetings.

            The workday was over and Ted was one of the first ones to leave. He emerged from an elevator that took him to the parking garage. Ted saw Jeff walking to his car, Ted thought about waving or saying goodbye but decided against it. Ted walked to his car with the posture of a man carrying a hundred pound rock on his shoulders. He pressed the button on his keys and unlocked his car. Then he heard an engine revving and a car coming up from around the corner. A tan sedan was speeding entirely too fast through the parking garage, rounded the corner and was driving straight at Jeff. Jeff was walking to his car and didn’t notice right away. He heard the car’s engine and turned just as the car stuck him. Jeff rolled up along the hood of the car before falling in a broken heap on the ground.

            Ted sighed, then got in his car and drove away. It was just another day at the office.