I get back to my desk and see an email from Christopher, the new Napa member of the wireless team, informing me that he cannot do the assignment I’ve given him because he’s currently working on something else, I blink at it, not sure I’ve read it right. Then I reread it and realize I have. We are all working on other things. That doesn’t exempt us from receiving more work. Who does this guy think he is?
I fume for a while, unsure of what to do. Then I compose a terse reply, read it over and decide not to send it. Next, I look up his telephone number and call him. He picks up after the second ring, unaware that his new project leader is on the other end. I know that our caller ID only reads BTS Systems, not the name of the person calling.
“Hi Christopher. This is Andrea Whitman,” I say in a cheerful manner.
“Oh, hi.” He seems surprised to be hearing from me.
“How are you today?”
“Um, fine. Thanks.”
“I wanted to call you and introduce myself. It’s kind of difficult working with new people that you’ve never met or spoken to, don’t you think?”
“Yeah. I guess so.”
“I just got your email.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I think there’s been some misunderstanding.”
Silence from his end.
“You see, we all have multiple assignments. It would be great to be able to work in a linear way. I would love it if I could finish one project before I started on the next one, but that’s just not practical. There’s too much work to do. So, we all have to make the best of it and do the work we’re assigned. You can understand that, right?”
“Um, yeah.”
“Thanks. That’s great. If the deadline approaches and you’re behind on the work I sent you, let me know in plenty of time. And feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Okay?”
“Uh, okay.”
“Nice talking to you Christopher. Good-bye.”
“Bye.”
I hang up the telephone and turn to see Nate eyeing me. “What was that about?”
“Nothing,” I reply, shaking my head. Christopher’s voice had a dull monotone quality to it. I’m picturing a turtle now, and I know I will every time I think of Christopher. Now that we’ve had a brief conversation, will he quietly work on his assignment from me like a good employee? Somehow, I doubt it.
Just as I’m turning back to my laptop, Ken comes down the hall and stops outside my cube. “Hi Andrea.”
Even though he sits one aisle over, I hardly ever see Ken. He’s originally from somewhere in the south. He talks very slowly and with a slight accent.
“You know I don’t travel,” he states.
“You don’t travel?”
He shakes his head. “Rob never assigns me customers that require on-site visits.”
I eye him incredulously. “You’re completely exempt from all travel?”
“That’s right. You can ask Rob if you like.”
He’s refusing his assignment, too? I already do not like this new position.
“Fine,” I reply, knowing I sound annoyed and not caring. I can feel the tension building in my shoulders. “I’ll rethink your customer list.”
“Thanks,” he says and then quickly disappears.
If this is how other people operate around here, why aren’t I the president of the company by now? I look over Ken’s customer list and realize that in order to reorganize his assignments I’ll have to move other people’s assignments around, too.
I turn to Nate, easily getting his attention. “Would you mind…”
“I’ll do it.” He volunteers immediately.
“You don’t even know what I’m asking you yet.”
“Yes, I do. You want me to exchange some customers with Ken and do his traveling for him.”
“Well, actually, yes. Not necessarily all of that though. That wouldn’t be fair.”
“It’s completely fine. I’ve got to get out of the house. The baby never sleeps. She cries all night long. I can’t take it anymore.”
I find myself laughing at him.
“It’s not funny. You try not sleeping for weeks and see how funny you think it is.”
“I’m sorry Nate,” I reply, laughing harder now.
“Where are his customers anyway?”
“Colorado and Arizona.”
“Sounds good to me.”
I shake my head at him. “You’re fine with leaving your wife all alone to deal with the baby?”
“Hey, I have to feed my family. If earning my paycheck means there’s some business travel involved, so be it.”
“Fine. I don’t like being a party to this, but you could be out of town for nearly a month if you plan it right.”
“Great. Thanks.” He rubs his hands together in evil scientist style and turns back to his work, humming a cheerful tune.
twenty-one
It