Chapter 10 Part 1 – Call for Obstruction

So far, Barry has signed his soul into servitude to Satan on Earth, his boss Margery is a demon who has total control over his body, he’s been attacked by large white birds with human faces, and he’s wishing the past two days had never happened.

The next morning, my eyes pop open and I jump up when I feel a dampness between my legs. My first thought is that Margery had visited me overnight and made him piss all over myself again. Then I groan when I realize it’s milk. I’d fallen asleep eating a bowl of fruity cereal and watching reruns of Sanford and Son. There are colored rings stuck to my legs and spilled on the couch and the floor.

What a freakin’ mess, I think. Cleaning it up can wait, because the clock read 4:40 A.M. the same time I had woken yesterday, no coincidences. Besides, I’m motivated to go to work today so I can find some way to get out of my contract to slave my life away Satan.

After a long hot shower, I exit the bathroom rubbing a towel over my head and notice a new instant message window up on my computer. It’s from Nina.

She’s a friend I worked with over a year ago. We’d tested software for a health insurance company, specifically the code that screws people out of extra premiums based on their health history. She still works there, but I got laid off with five hundred other people. Ironic, because I was doing Nina’s job and my own, and I still am. I can’t help myself.

I read the flirty words, ‘Barry Bear, you there?’ She only calls me that when she wants something. Back when we worked in the same office, she’d visit my cubical wearing a short skirt and sit on my desk and swing her shapely legs and get me to do anything she wanted. I much prefer her asking for a favor that way, but I’ll take what I can get.

My heart skips a beat when a new message from Nina pops up.

     Nina: Barry Bear, you there yet?

     Barry: Yep

     Nina: Where you been?

I avoid her question and change the subject.

     Barry: Why you on IM so early in the morning?

     Nina: Software install. Still waiting to test.

     Barry: Bummer

Although I would given anything to be in her shoes, stuck in a cubical waiting to test a software upgrade.

     Nina: Well??? Where you been???

Damn, she’s not giving up.

     Barry: Started a new job.

     Nina: What happened to your old one?

     Barry: Outsourced.

     Nina: Bastards!

     Nina: Where’s the new job?

     Barry: OTG Courier, off Arapahoe.

     Nina: Doing what?

     Barry: Delivery.

     Nina: Like it so far?

I pause and think to type, ‘my new boss is a demon from Hell,’ but I don’t.

     Barry: Hate my new boss already.

     Nina: Call in sick and take me to lunch I wish.

              Will probably be stuck here for days.

     Barry: Running late anyways. Gotta go.

     Nina Bye. Miss you! IM me tonight.

All I can assume is that she needs a huge favor, because Nina is almost always busy with girlfriends or on a date at night.

I walk away from my computer, so I can get ready for another day of Hell.

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