Office intrigue

I was bored and thirsty.

Mug in hand I left my cubicle and pushed open the door to the hallway, interrupting two men having a very quiet, very private conversation. They stood suspiciously in front of elevator H. Were they going somewhere? Was that a good place to share secrets? There’s a janitor closet over there, but maybe that’s only for janitor secrets.

Janitors know things.

They stopped whispering and looked at me. Why were they looking at me? What did I interrupt exactly? I lifted my mug enough to say “I don’t really give a shit about your little secrets club fellas, I just want some water,” but not enough to say “I heard everything, I’m on to you, blackmail forthcoming.”

“Harmless,” said their faces, “psst psst,” continued their mouths.

I kept walking.

My mug filled at the Oasis, carefully – no spilling, I retraced my steps. The men didn’t look up this time. They didn’t pause their shady conversation, or postpone their strange scheming.

“Harmless.”

Hushed tones dissolved as the door closed behind me. I returned to my cubicle.

A ring of water formed under my mug.