by t. h. snyder
I got this.
“Palmer,” his loud, authoritative voice booms as he approaches my cubicle.
Turning round in my chair, I move to stand as he nears.
“Mr. Shire,” I respond. “How’d the meeting go?”
“Great, just great,” he remarks with an annoyed expression and his hand waving through the air. “Look I have to catch a flight in a few hours. Felicia is preparing my itinerary as we speak. I’m just coming here to confirm things are going well for the new hire.”
“You mean, Judi?” I ask.
A groan escapes his throat as his brow furrows in response to my statement.
“Yes Palmer. I’m well aware of the new employee’s name; however I’m not here to play the name game.”
Shit! Swallowing hard, I nod my head in response.
“Yes, so far so good. She’s doing just fine and will fit right in with the team.”
“Excellent,” he replies clapping me on the shoulder. “I’ll be gone the remainder of the week. Be sure to keep her up to speed on everything and don’t forget to make certain she completes all the necessary new employee paperwork and assessments. We don’t need human resources up our backs and I’ll expect you to get the job done.”
“No problem at all, you can count on me.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” he quips before walking away. “Oh and Palmer,” he says turning back to face me. “I know you’ll have contracts ready and waiting for me when I return. You have potential here, don’t let me down.”
Releasing a burst of air from my lungs I run my fingertips through my short hair before falling down onto my chair.
“Ohhhh Palmer,” Wendy’s voice sings.
Covering my hand over my face, I mentally turn into a small child.
Jesus H Christ, I can’t catch a break today. I want to crawl away in a corner somewhere…anywhere and get away from these people. Great, now I’m whining like a little bitch. I need a mental time out away from this place or a few beers to calm my nerves.
Sensing her presence in my cubicle, I remove my hand from my face and stare back at her smiling face.
“Aww, are you grumpy Mr. Hot Stuff. The pouty look on your face is not attractive in the slightest and I don’t think you want Miss Thang to see you looking all pissy like this. Come on mister, turn that frown upside down. If you play your cards right I can almost guarantee you a good piece of ass with that one,” she states with her thumb pointing out toward the other cubicles.
“You’re a piece of work, Wendy, I’m kind of busy here, ya know…working and all. Where’s Judi?”
Sticking out her tongue she rolls her eyes at me before moving further into my space and leaning against the top of my desk.
“The situation has been handled, well to the best of my ability. She’s at her desk working on some paperwork. I told her when she’s done with that to start on the HR assessments.”
“I hate to say it, but thanks. You’re a lifesaver,” I state in the most unsarcastic tone I can muster.”
“No worries. That should keep her busy for the next few hours. Oh, and by the way, you can buy me a drink later,” she says with a wink before gliding from my desk and walking away.
My head is in such a fog from Mr. Shire’s brief dialogue, I have no clue why the hell she’s talking about a drink later. Did I miss the memo about going out? Who the hell knows, but I’m not going to stress over it. As long as Judi has shit she can get done, I can focus on the work I have waiting for me to do.
“Thank you again,” I shout over the cubicle wall before getting back to work myself.
“You are one hell of a businessman Palmer. We are ecstatic to be working with you and the firm. I can’t thank you enough for all that you’ll be doing for us. I see big things happening here, no doubt.”
“Why thank you Samuel. I couldn’t agree more. This is a chance of a lifetime for your client and our firm. I’m anxious to see how far he’s willing to go in this business and with us on his team I don’t think it will be long till his name is flashing across the big screen.”
“I like your enthusiasm young man. You have a strong future ahead of you with that brilliant mind of yours. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in this business it’s that building relationships is key. Never let an opportunity pass you by, no matter how big or small it may seem. The least likely opportune chance can pass you by, don’t be the one who misses out.”
“Yes sir,” I respond, a million thoughts rushing to mind with his simple remark.
“Have a good night Palmer and go have a drink on me. You deserve it.
With that, the line goes dead. Disconnecting my headset, I lean back in my chair. Pride oozes from my self esteem knowing I was able to close another new client today. It’s not my best day, but I’ll take the win. Closing my eyes for a few brief moments, I replay some of the conversations from the day.
I know big things are coming your way. Mr. Shire knows it too, just be patient young man.
You have potential here, don’t let me down.
The least likely opportune chance can pass you by, don’t be the one who misses out.
I can’t help but think how each one of these statements impacts me on a business and personal level. I’ve always put so much pressure on myself to get the job done and be the best I can be. Maybe I am and I haven’t given myself enough credit. I might not get the verbal recognition I need to know where I stand in this firm, but I don’t think I need it. Mr. Shire is a hard ass and one of the most intimidating men I’ve ever worked with, yet he trusts me enough to leave his business under my watchful eye. It might not seem like a lot to the others here, they may not see it as clearly as I do. Trust and respect is earned, I’ve come a long way and I’m okay with the role I play here.
The sound of my stomach growling pulls me from my thoughts and suddenly I feel the urge to piss. Standing from my chair, I stretch my arms over the top of my head while facing the large floor to ceiling windows.
Holy shit, it’s getting dark outside.
Checking the time, I notice it’s after five o’clock. Where the hell have I been? The day has flown by and for the life of me I can’t remember the last time I looked up or stepped away from my desk. I was so in the zone wheeling and dealing I completely lost track of the time. My gaze shifts from my desk around to the other cubicles, but the spaces are empty.
They couldn’t have all left for the day without saying a word, that’s not like them. Steering my eyes to the wall of my cubicle I see a post-it note attached to the calendar.
With a smile on my face and a burst of energy rushing through my veins, I reach for the post it. Today has been one hell of a day, I think I’ll take that beer now. Grabbing my coat and keys, I make my way out of the office and onto an adventure I have no clue what to expect. One thing is for certain, this woman is something else and I’ll be damned if I don’t follow my gut and see where this could lead.
Cubicle Thunder Playlist
All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor
Whistle – Katy Tiz
My Humps – The Black Eyed Peas
Circle The Drain – Katy Perry
Fancy – Iggy Azalea
Worth It – Fifth Harmony
Trumpets – Jason Derulo
Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke
Sexy Back – Justin Timberlake
Yeah – Usher
Cubicle Thunder Series
Cubicle Thunder, a Romantic Comedy Short Story Series
Work, the typical Monday through Friday grind that keeps us out of trouble until the weekend. We all have to do it, but no one really wants to...right?
Half Staff Consulting is a successful entertainment consulting firm where nothing seems ordinary. Drama, hostility and laughter lurk around every cubicle corner.
One cannot expect anything less, with an office brimming full of high strung and sexually frustrated men and women who are thrown into the dulln
ess of the gray cubicle walls.
Pencil Me In #1
Starting a new job is never easy. Especially when your nerves are a hot, fluttering mess and anxiety is churning in your stomach. Deep breaths and a hot new wardrobe are all Judi thought it would take to create her mark, but she was quite mistaken.
Palmer is tired and bored with the daily work grind. He's been longing for some excitement in his work day. When Monday rolls around, he finds that there are more than just the typical tasks awaiting him.
Can Judi and Palmer make it through the day without creating workplace chaos?
Once they walk through the doors of Half Staff Consulting, where potential storms lurk around every cubicle, only time can tell when the thunder will roll.
The Chair Race #2
The work week can suck the life out of you, especially when something you want the most is out of your reach.
Nicholas is fed up with it all. No matter how hard he works and attempts to show his worth, he's never given the credit he is due. He’s sick of the drama and unwilling to to play the politics game any longer.
Wendy is sassy, sharp and a force to be reckoned with. Being one of the top senior consultants at Half Staff, she knows the business and refuses to be anything less than the best.
When two stubborn, creative individuals are placed together to entertain a team builder, who will come out on top?
Once they walk through the doors of Half Staff Consulting, where potential storms lurk around every cubicle, only time can tell when the thunder will roll.
Taped To You #3
To stay, or to go…
Danielle has busted her butt to get where she is, nothing has ever been handed to her. Things may not come easy, but when a carrot is dangled in front of her she will go the extra lap to get what she wants.
Kevin is brilliant and has the potential to move onto great things. Working for Half Staff for the past six years he’s ready to leap onto the next step in his career, yet he can’t...there’s one thing holding him back.
Will these windstorms collide and create a tornado, or will the storm pass and allow them to learn distance makes the heart grow fonder..
Once they walk through the doors of Half Staff Consulting, where potential storms lurk around every cubicle, only time can tell when the thunder will roll.
Email Your Wishes #4
No two people could be more opposite, yet together they make it work. Communication is key in the workplace…just be sure to mind your p’s and q’s.
Felicia loves her job, the men and women she works with and the ability to put a smile on anyone's face. Having worked for Half Staff Consulting since the doors opened, she’s made it her mission to be the best receptionist possible.
Taylor is the most intimidating man you’ll meet. He’s professional, driven, and unwilling to take no for an answer. Being the leading man and owner of Half Staff Consulting, he will stop at nothing to get who... er, what he wants…
What happens when a simple email turns into a world of lust, desire, and the unknown?
Once they walk through the doors of Half Staff Consulting, where potential storms lurk around every cubicle, only time can tell when the thunder will roll.
Xerox My Love #5
They say opposites attract, but is that the case with Kate and Ben?
Kate is loud, outgoing and willing to speak her mind. She’s known to be the life of the party, even at the most inopportune moments.
Ben is quiet, reserved and would rather sit back and people watch than get his opinion out there. For years he’s sat on the sidelines and watched others succeed, that is until he’s met his match.
What could possibly go wrong when lightning strikes and chaos ensues?
Once they walk through the doors of Half Staff Consulting, where potential storms lurk around every cubicle, only time can tell when the thunder will roll.
About The Author
I’m a fun-loving, down-to-earth kind of chick who loves to laugh, smile, and have a good time. Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania in September 1979, I’m a true East Coast girl who loves the mountains and the beach. In Spring 2012, I became an avid reader and since have read over 300 books ranging across genres, primarily focused on romance and paranormal. Simply put, reading is my escape, a way for me to turn off the outside world and get lost in a new one. I’ve found a true love in reading and writing, and I never imagined I’d be where I am today. When I started writing my first novel in June 2013, I was anxious to see where my journey would take me. Becoming an author has been a dream come true. This is more than just a hobby for me, it’s my passion!!
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