By Sarah Flick
She was quiet at work: minimal eye contact, self-effacing smile. Coworkers appreciated her efficiency but otherwise ignored her, never realizing her secret power. Inside her head, she heard thoughts they never said out loud: CEOs critiquing overweight women; inappropriate lusts between incompatible people; ongoing resentments over reserved parking.
One day, her manager got cross when he noticed her gazing at his shoes. He thought, Crazy bitch!
Something snapped. “Enough!” she gasped, and opened her mouth wider than humanly possible to scream over the grievances she’d heard and held inside.
Cleanup crews found no body, just a fetid puddle of released suppression.
This totally made me laugh! Reminds me of a mug saying I saw…”Listen more. The quiet things often say the most.” The no longer suppressed scream was perfect. Who hasn’t worked with a group where you just did not fit the mold yet were a vital part?
Sarah’s story captivated me right from the start! Want to read more.
Love the irony of the title. Also can’t help thinking of Milton in Office Space.
“fetid puddle of released suppression” – love that!
Often felt like this in the workplace. Great description of holding it in. Fetid puddle… brilliant.
Thank you for everyones’ kind comments on my little story about the dark side of office life.