Nattie stood on the mezzanine overlooking the lobby. She knew it was after eight, yet she still spied employees arriving. The company opened for business at eight o’clock. Employees needed to be at their desks by that time.
She knew HR had sent out reminders about this because she had asked them too. However, HR seemed to send out a lot of company emails outlining office etiquette of late. She wondered if people were getting immune to them or just plain ignoring them.
Despite all that she had done, and after an entire year of being in control of this company, Nattie knew she wasn’t in control.
A well-groomed, heavyset man that she knew was a middle manager, and hardly a man with any power, trotted up the stairs. He caught her eye only because he looked a little too full of himself considering he was late and parading himself right by her as if thumbing his nose at her authority.
She felt him pass too close behind her, which she thought annoying. However, it was the solid slap on the ass he gave her that pissed her off.
Nattie whirled instinctively. She didn’t hold back, using her left hand to punch him in the face, sending him flying across the hall and into the wall. He crumpled onto the floor.
Every person in view of this suddenly ran as if they realized they were late. A few hid their faces as if hiding their identity. No one seemed concerned about the man on the ground as if it was every man for him or herself.
“Idiots,” Nattie said to herself. “With all the cameras in this building, you think I don’t know who is late?”
She pulled out her phone and hit a button. ‘I need cleanup on the mezzanine.’ She spoke Viperian since she only wanted to alert the Viperians she had on staff.
She continued to watch people coming in late, waiting for the reaction on the phone.
’Nattie. What the hell,’ came the first response.
Nattie smiled.
’You think just because Uri has settled down that you need to take over?’
Nattie knew by the voice that this was Falila Donne, the new HR director that she had hired within the first months of taking over the company. While she hadn’t wanted to flood the company with Viperians, Falila came recommended for the job. She had both the college degrees and the experience in both the Viperian and Undent communities.
’He’s still breathing.’ Nattie didn’t even turn to check if what she said was true.
’Give me ten minutes.’
’I’ll be waiting.’
The number of people arriving slowed to a trickle. Nattie already knew from watching on previous days that the trickle would increase around nine and again at ten. Then the reverse would occur. People would leave early for lunch and come back well beyond the allotted hour, if they came back at all.
Nattie counted out fifteen minutes before Falila arrived with four other women. They were all Viperian.
“What happened?” Falila said.
“He slapped my ass. I bet he even left a handprint.” Nattie tried to look at where he hit her, but couldn’t see, even though she could still feel the sting.
Falila rolled her eyes. “Yeah, he did.”
One of the other women took a picture, which Nattie knew was for documentation.
“My word. It looks like he had white powdered donuts for breakfast and never washed his hands. Plus, you’re wearing a black skirt. You might want to wipe that off,” Falila said.
Nattie shook her head in disbelief.
“I take it the camera caught it all?” Falila glanced up at the camera aimed right at them.
“All of it. You won’t have to edit any of this. And fire him. I’ll need a list of who works in his department and their latest performance reviews. We can merge his department with another. Or better yet, abolish it.”
Falila nodded. “We’ll press charges and make an example out of him.”
“Do we have any applications for the lawyer I want to hire?”
Falila shook her head. “That only went out yesterday. And that was for a PR lawyer. This is different.”
“I’m going to need some extra PR.” Nattie kept a straight face.
Falila almost laughed.
The company nurse, Nicky, arrived. She wasn’t Viperian.
“Nattie, you don’t know your own strength,” Nicky said. She was an older woman, well-skilled in her job. However, she only looked at the manager for a moment before focusing on Nattie.
“Yes, I do. I might have loosened a few of his fillings.” Nattie knew Nicky wasn’t too concerned about the manager.
Many of the women in the company held disdain for most, if not all, of the male managers.
“Look at what he did to your skirt.” Nicky took out a cloth from the lab coat she always wore.
“Leave it so the police can see.” Nattie waved her away. “Besides, the dry-cleaner will deal with it.”
“The police won’t get past your boobs,” Falila said in a quiet voice.
“I have a very nice ass,” Nattie said with humor, also keeping her voice down.
Everyone laughed.
“I assume someone called an ambulance,” Nattie said with more seriousness.
“I did,” Nicky said. “As soon as the Falila notified me.”
A woman placed a thick layer of paper towels beneath the manager’s head to catch the blood from his nose. Nattie knew it was more for protecting the carpet than anything else.
“You might have broken his nose,” the woman said.
“He’s lucky he’s still breathing.” Nattie turned back to watch the front entrance.
An ambulance pulled up with its siren blaring. Two EMTs ran in. The receptionist just pointed up the stairs. The EMTs came bounding up, two stairs at a time.
Nattie saw two police cars pass by, also with sirens blaring. The sirens abruptly stopped. She figured they had parked ahead of the ambulance where she couldn’t see them.
“What the hell hit him?” an EMT said, squatting by the man.
“I did.” Nattie showed her left hand without turning around. “The rings probably added to the punch.”
“I’d hate to see what he did.”
“He slapped my ass.” She bet both men were now staring at her ass.
“Let me take a look at your hand.”
Nattie turned slightly to allow the other EMT to check out her hand, even though she felt as if she hadn’t even hit the man. Only her butt cheek still stung.
“I’m fine,” Nattie said. “I might have a red mark on my ass, but there’s nothing to do about that. And you don’t need to look at it.”
“No, ma’am.” He gave her a respectful nod.
She watched two police officers enter the building. The receptionist again just pointed up the stairs. Nattie felt some relief to see that one of them was Viperian. She explained to them what had happened.
“I’d like to press charges. We want to make an example of him. With all of our sensitivity training, this sort of behavior is unacceptable,” she said. “Besides, this is beyond sexual harassment. This is assault.”
Nattie noted the Viperian officer nodded, despite he wasn’t the lead officer. That told her what she wanted would happen.
“We have video,” Falila said. “Give us a moment and we can get it downloaded for you.” She worked feverishly on her tablet.
The EMTs loaded the man onto a stretcher.
’I didn’t even aim,’ Nattie said, speaking Viperian since her comment was only for her Viperian staff.
’Nice hit. He’s just a wimp. Typical fat male manager,’ Falila said. “Here’s the footage.” She handed a media card to the lead officer.
The police finished up with her statement. The EMTs got the information they needed on the man’s identity and left with him. Then the police left.
“What are you up to, Nattie?”
Nattie spun to see Nadine, who now co-headed the huge accounting department for the company. Not only was she Viperian, but she was also Harold’s wife. When Nattie had first met her, she thought she was rather meek for a Viperian.
However, on the job, Nattie found Nadine a formidable force. Nadine had whipped the accounting department into shape, which meant she made sure everything was legal. And if Nattie needed a reason to fire anyone, Nadine had the dirt on everyone, since most managers padded their expense reports.
“We just fired this guy.” Falila showed Nadine her tablet.
“Cut him his last check. No bonus pay or anything. And do an audit on his expense account,” Nattie said.
Nadine nodded, tapping on her own tablet without even looking. “If you’re pressing charges, we can hold off on that last check.”
“Do that. I’m extra pissed. He slapped my ass.”
’You had the right to kill him,’ Nadine said in Viperian.
’Not here. Maybe somewhere else,’ Nattie said, replying in Viperian.
Nadine smiled.
“Anything else, Nattie?” Falila said.
“That’s it for now. More to come later.”
“Of course. That’s a given.”
Everyone left except Nadine.
’What’s Harold up to these days?’ Nattie said.
They both faced the lobby as if watching who came in.
’Funny you should ask that,’ Nadine said.
’I’m dead serious.’ Nattie knew Harold and Nadine didn’t appreciate any jokes about his short stature.
’So am I. He’s hating his job doing the summer tutoring. The air conditioning in our condo keeps going out, and opening the windows only lets in smog. We’re thinking of moving out of the city. Either to Hell or Viperia.’
’I can help there,’ Nattie said.
’I know you can. So what are you thinking?’
’There are too many rats in this building.’ Nattie looked around as if small furry animals were scurrying along the walls. ‘And it takes a rat to hunt a rat.’
Nadine smiled. ‘Do you have a title for this rat catcher?’
’Director of Internal Security. Snoop. Information gatherer.’
’The first sounded like a title. The other two sounded like job duties.’
Nattie shrugged, then smiled. ‘Have him come in to talk to me.’
’Any timeframe?’
’Now or sooner. I might just spend the day right here.’
’I’ll call him,’ Nadine said.
’Who’s going to babysit? And what about the tutoring of your own children?’
’He can tutor our children in a few hours in the evening. They don’t need the eight hours an Undent child seems to need. And I thought the rest of our children could join yours during the day.’
’A few more joining the creche or playing in the pool won’t be noticed.’
’I didn’t think you’d mind,’ Nadine said.
’Becky practically lives there during the summer anyway,” Nattie said.
Becky was Nadine and Harold’s youngest. She was a few years older than Nattie’s oldest, Victoria. Victoria and Becky were best friends.
’We owe you,’ Nadine said.
’On your way to call Harold, send me an available intern.’
’I will.’ Nadine walked off, taking her phone out as she went.
Nattie focused back on the lobby. The trickle of people had stopped for once. She wondered if someone had told everyone to avoid the front entrance because she was there.
“Like there aren’t cameras at the other doors.”
Fast, quiet footsteps down the hall caused her to look. A young man she knew as Chance came running up to her. Nattie felt pleased he was a Viperian intern. That meant she would get what she asked for.
“I need a few chairs and a coffee. Cream and sugar.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He left at a run.
Nattie turned back toward the lobby. She watched a woman enter and head for the receptionist. The woman stood out because she wore a short black skirt and a red blouse. Over that, she wore a black suit coat. Instead of dress shoes, she wore high black boots. Her hair showed remnants of blue fluorescent dye, but she had combed it back into a neat bun. Her fingernails were blood-red and two inches long. She was also Viperian.
’I know you,’ Nattie said.
Her voice stopped the woman, who looked up to lock eyes with her.
She smiled. ‘And I know you.’
’You look very much like your sisters, Mina and Char. And if my memory serves me correctly, you’re Pansy.’
’Yes, I am Pansy.’
’Come on up.’
Pansy trotted up the stairs with ease. The receptionist ignored her. Nattie thought that was a problem. Anyone who wasn’t an employee needed to get challenged.
’And what brings you here today?’ Nattie said.
’I heard what you’re doing here. And I saw you had an opening for a lawyer.’
’When did you graduate?’
’This year,’ Pansy said.
Nattie shook her head. ‘Sorry. I need some experience, not someone just out of law school.’
’I was top in my class. In both high school and college, I was on the debate team. We always won any competitions we competed in. But my biggest achievement was winning a debate proving Gussy was innocent.’
’Gussy. The one who caused me so much trouble and died by my knife?’
Pansy smiled and nodded.
’And why is that an achievement?’ Nattie said, thinking that proving Gussy was innocent wasn’t exactly a great achievement in her eyes.
Gussy had caused so much trouble, spreading terrible rumors about Victoria, trying to kill her and her family, and almost burning down their house.
’Being a lawyer is more than knowing the laws,’ Pansy said. ‘Lawyers need to know how to twist words and create doubt. My debate put doubt Gussy was responsible for all that he did. I think you need that sort of talent here. I’ve read up on this company and its origins.’
Nattie thought for a moment. ‘Do you have a copy of that debate?’
Pansy raised her phone and tapped it once. Nattie’s phone dinged with a text. She saw it was a video of the debate.
’You can listen to is now. It’s in Viperian,’ Pansy said.
’You’re prepared.’
’I’d better be,’ Pansy said. ‘I know who I’m working with.’
Nattie smiled. She put the phone to her ear to listen, so it looked like she was on a call. While she listened, she spied another manager come in late. She would have intercepted him if Pansy hadn’t been there, but this time she let him go.
The debate she listened to felt forceful and persuasive. However, because of her own involvement, she could tell when Pansy twisted the facts. The only bad part of the entire debate was the memories it invoked.
Chance returned, pulling two chairs he had tied together and holding a cup of coffee. Nattie took the cup. He untied the chairs and offered them. As soon as she and Pansy sat. He took off at a run.
Nattie sipped her coffee. The debate lasted ten minutes. She listened to it all. Then she put her phone down.
’That was absolutely horrible.’ Nattie grimaced.
A faint wave of dismay swept over Pansy’s face.
’You need a little more practice. But because you were prepared, and made my stomach turn that anyone could think Gussy was innocent, has made me reconsider your inexperience. You’re hired. When can you start?’ Nattie said.
’Now,’ Pansy said with a smile and a quiet sigh of relief.
Nattie brought her phone back up. ‘Falila. I need you on the mezzanine. Gauldo. All of my meetings will be on the mezzanine. Please notify everyone.’
Gauldo was her administrative assistant. He was male. She felt like reversing the roles in this company since it was so male dominate, thus didn’t want a female assistant. Nattie also needed someone who wouldn’t question her and would get the job done. That was why he was Viperian. He proved highly efficient. However, at times, she felt he was a little too serious in his job.
’Falila. Charlie Landing was late again. Put a mark in his chart.’
’Got it.’
Chance returned, but this time he had a cart with a full coffee service on it.
Nattie shook her head. ‘Nice touch, but I don’t want anyone to get too comfortable. Coffee, Pansy?’
’No, I’m fine, thank you.’
’Away with that, but stay within shouting distance.’
Chance nodded and pushed the cart out.
’If only the Undents knew who and what you are, Nattie. This entire company should run rampant to please you.’
Nattie laughed. ‘Maybe it’s about time they learned.’
This time Falila arrived within minutes.
“We have a new PR lawyer,” Nattie said, switching to English.
“Do you want the listing pulled?” Falila said.
“Yes. Get her on the books. We have a lot to do.”
“We’re on it. This way, Pansy. Nice to see you.”
Nattie knew she didn’t have to do any introductions. Pansy and Falila, like all Viperian women, had met at the Wednesday night women’s meetings.
She paced while she sipped her coffee. Most of the traffic on the mezzanine was for the people who worked on the second floor and took the stairs instead of the elevators. Now there was no traffic at all. The only traffic remained in the lobby with customers coming and going. And employees coming to fetch them to take them to their appointments.
At nine o’clock, three managers arrived to meet with her. She kept them on their feet, making them go through their reports and issues, even though they looked uncomfortable. Her irritation from getting slapped leaked into this meeting.
Since she saw it was getting their attention, she decided to shift her role from supportive upper manager to despot. The three looked relieved when she ended the meeting.
Gauldo came in after the men were gone.
“I took notes. I take it we want a quick follow-up?” he said.
“Yes.” She knew because he was Viperian he could listen into meetings without actually being within view. He had excellent hearing.
“Sorry about your incident this morning,” he said.
“It has reminded me that sometimes we have to hit hard to survive,” she said.
He smiled. “You’ve done it before. Here. You might want this.”
“I do.” Nattie took her tablet from him.
“Do you want a coffee refill?”
“Yes, thank you.”
He took her cup and left.
Nattie returned to staring down into the lobby. All looked quiet. She knew it should be empty at this time because of how they scheduled customer meetings at the hour. It was now a little after nine-thirty.
Gauldo returned sooner than she expected.
“Does Chance still have that coffee cart nearby?” she said.
He nodded and handed her the coffee. “He has it hidden, and he’s guarding it like a rabid dog.”
“Good for him.”
Gauldo left again. However, Nattie knew he hadn’t gone far because soon she heard him chatting with Chance. They spoke Viperian.
She returned her attention to the lobby. Someone had come in.
’What the hell,’ she said.
The person looked up at her and smiled, showing most of his brilliantly white teeth.
’Harold. Get your ass up here.’
