Occupied Wall Street

 

   Jim awoke with a deep breath. Today was the day. All his efforts, the tedious research, every call and e-mail as well as the traveling would pay off. He showered and dressed in his Ralph Lauren suit, as he was told a young man would be taken more seriously in traditional clothing. He put on his Kenneth Cole square toed Oxfords, because he couldn’t for the life of him sacrifice comfort. The excitement built in him to a degree he had not anticipated. He left his studio apartment with a skip in his stride. What a great day.

   The Barista at the Starbucks started his order as she saw him pushing the door. He would have them bag it as usual learning early on that the brew was much too hot to drink till he reached his desk at work. The eight minute walk was lengthened by those nuts in tents. He wouldn’t worry about that silliness today. Today was payday, the recognition he deserved was about to come. He kept his stride as he fantasized of next months’ vacation, Vegas. Yes and the girls they would be all over him. His new found wealth would bring him great joy. He finally made the turn to the back entrance of his building, totally avoiding the riffraff in the front.

   A freshman underwriter hardly saw a package of this magnitude. All said and done it would be multi billion. He couldn’t wait to rub it in his brother’s face. The back elevator wasn’t as modern as the front but it was actually closer to his cubical. Up to the thirtieth floor; the doors opened to a quite hall. Left then right to the second cubical on the right he hurried. In habit he sat his coffee down then his briefcase. In that moment he noticed all of his personal items were removed and neatly stacked in a box that was placed on the floor underneath his desk. Wow, he thought to himself, I never expected to be moved to the next floor so soon.

    In that moment gazing down on the box he felt a hand grab his arm. Startled he turned to look upon the face of his director Phillip. Phillip’s stern look gave Jim a fright. Phillip’s grip tightened, “You have to leave the premises. Now! “. Jim was in shock as Phillip picked up the box of personal items and shoved it at him. “What happened?” he asked. Phillip grabbed Jim’s briefcase and threw it on top of the box in his hands. “No explanation is necessary. If you would like to file a complaint, you may contact our lawyers.” Phillip firmly guided Jim back to the elevator. Looking back at the desk that was once his, Jim saw his lonely Starbucks bag sitting on the edge. The ride down brought a sinking feeling as he retraced his figures and confirmations trying to piece together what had happened.

    Back on the street in a daze he met a coworker named Dave. He caught the fellow’s eye just as he was going to lower it. “What happened?”  Dave looked Jim in the eye with earnest sympathy.   “They flagged the package this morning. The big guys never take the fall. Any name on it will do. Just don’t make a fuss or you’ll never work again.” He said as he walked away. Jim turned, “I’ll never be able to work on Wall Street again anyway!” Dave turned back with a grin, “I meant even at McDonalds.”