Tuesday

My boss at SAT TV is named Dorothy.  Her office sits behind my cubicle making me feel like I'm on pins and needles all the time.  Dorothy doesn't work, at least not as much as the rest of the department.  I've caught her filing her nails at her desk a time or two.

Around ten, Dorothy called me into her desk.  I figured it was because I had been late the day before.  I tried to explain to her that I did make the time I missed but she cut me off.

"It's not about that.  How many accounts do you currently have?"

"Um, well, I have the entire state of Florida and the Dakotas and when someone is on vacation, I fill in." 

Dorothy leaned forward and somehow managed to say with a straight face, "Don't you think you should be doing more?"

More?  I swallowed and felt my hands start to shake.  I just knew she was going to fire me.  How would I pay for my car repairs?

"Yes, more," Dorothy said.  "You'll be doing California."

"All of it?"

Dorothy rolled her eyes as if I were a silly child.  "Yes, all of it.  Crystal quit so we need someone to fill in."

"So it's only temporary?" 

It wasn't so bad if it was only temporary.

"No, it's permenant.  We won't be replacing her.  Oh and, Fran, there is no pay raise either so don't even ask?"

I walked out of Dorothy's office feeling numb.  More work for the same pay at a job I hate.  Am I being punished for something?