Chapter 11 Part 1 – Call for Obstruction

So far, Barry is a courier for Hell. He has signed his soul into servitude to Satan on Earth, and desperately wants out of his contract. However, his boss Margery is a demon who has total control over his body, and she’ll hurt Barry in any way she can to get him to do what she wants. Barry is learning about the supernatural world around him whether he likes it or not.

Before he starts his second day of work, he chats on instant messenger with his friend Nina, who seems to want something. He also stops for coffee for Margery to earn brownie points.

As I enter the office, I recognize a few of the drivers from yesterday, but no one returns eye contact.

“Honey!” Margery calls out from where she sits at her table with Vern. “You made it today, on time even . . . and you brought me coffee.”

I walk across the room to deliver it to her.

“How’s the diarrhea?” she says then laughs.

Vern joins in.

I resist the urge to throw hot coffee in her face and hand the cup to her instead.

“Everybody get your van signed out and stick around!” Margery yells across the room. “I’ve got an announcement.” She waves me away with the back of her hand. “You too.”

I’m knocked back and forth by other drivers as we all approach the bulletin board. Everyone around me appears to be going through a daily routine like androids. I wonder if it’s a matter of days before I lose my own identity too.

The clipboard with my name on it is the same one from yesterday. I sign the sheet and take the keys, then turn around and forcibly push my way back to where Margery stands.

“Hurry it up! You’re not going to like what I have to tell you,” Margery hollers, but she seems eager to deliver the bad news.

While all the other drivers crowd around me, I cross my fingers it’s a lay off.

“Our schedule’s tightened again.” Margery pauses and glares over the crowd, waiting for someone to challenge her authority.

“Shit, overtime,” someone whispers in the crowd.

“I heard that,” she replies, “and you’re right.”

“You can’t do this to us again, Marge,” Vern says from beside the office door.

“I’ll do whatever the hell I please.” Margery’s voice lowers to baritone and her upper lip lifts in a snarl.

Everyone steps backward except Vern who asks, “How many extra hours this time?” He then mumbles “Bitch.”

“Double run for two of you tonight and starting tomorrow for everyone else. So who will it be?”

No surprise, no one volunteers.

“Fine. I’ll pick two of you,” Margery says. “Since Vern can’t keep his mouth shut, he’s number one.”

Vern protests by scratching his chin with his middle finger.

Margery ignores him and scans the room with her finger ready to point at the next unfortunate schmuck. “And . . . .”

“I’ll do it.” I can’t believe I’m raising my hand, but this might be just the opportunity I need to snoop around and find a way out of my contract.

“Now that’s what I like to see,” Margery says. “You two see me before you leave. The rest of you start double runs tomorrow. Now get on the road.”

Just like they did the previous day, the drivers scurry out the door.

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