Slipperless

by Sloan Storm

  “How’s everything coming?”

  “Fine,” she muttered, still not making eye contact.

  I watched as Fiona drew her elbows in close to her sides and leaned in towards the microscope. I sauntered along the edge of the workstation, dragging my fingertips along its smooth surface as I neared her. I turned the corner of it and as I passed by Fiona, I brushed up against her.

  “Oh,” she said, as she lifted her head. “I’m sorry.”

  As she spoke, I circled around behind her. “What are you sorry for? It was my mistake.”

  “Just a habit, I guess,” she said with a shrug. “I apologize for things a lot.”

  “Hmm, I see,” I began, as I leaned against her workstation. “Well, I believe you owe me another one don’t you?”

  Fiona’s small, thin fingers raked through her blond hair as she pulled it away from her face. Half-turning in my direction, she locked eyes with me.

  “For what? What did I do?”

  I smiled a bit.

  “Well, Fiona, I do own the company. When one of my best junior scientists winds up in the infirmary, I’m going to find out about it. We can't afford any unnecessary delays with the Link Protocol. I thought I made that clear.”

  She nodded and looked away. I watched as a hard swallow forced its way down her throat.

  “Yes, I know,” she whispered. “I’m sorry. It won't happen again.”

  “I should hope not.” I replied, feigning displeasure with her. “I’d hate to have to fire you less than a month in on the job.”

  Fiona snapped her head in my direction. “Look, I said I was sorry, okay? Please don’t make jokes like that. And anyway, I’ve heard things…”

  Her voice trailed off, leaving footprints of innuendo in their path. I felt a smirk come to my lips as I let her comment hang in the air between us.

  Cheeky.

  I studied her for a moment as I considered whether or not to entertain her gossip. Even under the less than flattering glow of the lights overhead, her beauty was getting harder to ignore. I’d only meant my threat to fire her in a teasing way. It would take a lot more than a silly panic attack, or whatever it was, for me to even consider doing such a thing.

  As to her remark, well, she only had one side of the story. It didn’t matter much to me where she’d heard it. Anyway, it wasn’t something I cared to discuss with her now, if ever. I continued to look at her and as the seconds ticked by, her features flickered with lines of worry, even sadness. I nodded and pushed myself to a standing position.

  “Is there something I should know about you, Fiona? Something you’re keeping from me? It’s not every day things like your fainting spell happens around here.”

  Fiona dropped her head a bit, lowering her eyes and looking away from me in the process. “Gabe, this job is really important to me. That’s all. I get overwhelmed sometimes. I’m working on it. Getting better I mean.”

  I wondered if she’d go so far as to tell me what I already knew about her… the death of her family, her grandmother’s illness or her debt. But instead of continuing, she turned away from me and grabbed her pen from the desk.

  “Would you like an update on my lab work?” she asked, changing the subject.

  I narrowed my eyes as she closed herself off from me. There’d be time to get to the bottom of all these issues. Although I enjoyed getting under her skin, I couldn’t quite get a read on whether it was affecting her in a negative way or not. That was also something I’d have to wait until later to figure out.

  “Sure thing Fiona,” I said, as I leaned in towards her. “Talk to me.”

  GABE

  Early the following week, I asked Holly to summon one of the men from the lab, Andrew Monroe, to my office. I’d just wrapped up a call and lowered the phone back in its cradle when I heard a knock against the inside of my office door.

  “Gabe?” Andrew said, as he rapped against the wood. “You wanted to see me?”

  “Andrew. I did, yes,” I began as I stood. I gestured towards one of the oversized leather chairs across from my desk. “Come, have a seat. Hey, close the door first will you?”

  Andrew did as I asked and a moment later he began walking towards me. He was a tall, thin man with a bowl haircut and the longest legs of any human being I’d ever known. Looks aside, he also happened to be one of my best researchers and most senior employees. His loyalty to me was beyond question, so he was the logical choice for the task I had in mind.

  “How’s your week going so far?” I asked, as he eased into the chair.

  “Fine. No issues,” he began. Suddenly a frown came to his face. “I’m sorry, Gabe. Holly didn’t mention why you wanted to see me. Should I go back to the lab? Is there something specific you wanted information about? Updates on my Link Protocol work or…”

  Lifting my hand, I waved at him, cutting him off mid-sentence.

  “No, no, Andrew. It’s nothing like that.”

  He nodded for a moment or two before he leaned back into his chair. “Oh, okay then. Well, what can I do for you?”

  I mirrored his body language and reclined in my chair as well.

  “How’s the new hire working out?”

  Andrew’s eyebrows tented. “Fiona, you mean?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh,” he said as he cleared his throat. “Well, I haven’t had much interaction with her just yet.”

  “Mmm, hmm.” I replied. “Were you by chance in the lab last week when she had the fainting episode?”

  “No, I wasn’t. Amanda and Melissa were there though. It’s my understanding they helped her to the infirmary.” As he finished speaking, Andrew gestured over his shoulder in the direction of my office door. “Should I get them? I’m sure they could tell you about it.”

  I shook my head. “No, I’ve been briefed on what happened. That’s not necessary.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  “No, Andrew. I’ve asked you here for a different reason. I need something from you.”

  Confusion spread across Andrew’s face. It was understandable. Our discussions didn’t usually have clandestine overtones to them. He listened as my statement hung in the air between us, while he waited for me to elaborate.

  I leaned forward a bit and continued, “What I require is someone to be my eyes, and ears, in the lab right now. Any behavior that could threaten the progress of the Link Protocol could be detrimental to the entire future of the company. Do you understand?”

  His expression darkened with concern.

  “Um, no, not really. Is there something you’re not telling me Gabe?”

  I shook my head. “No. Not at all. It’s just that this a critical time for the company and I need people I can trust without question to keep the work on track. That’s it.”

  Andrew nodded. “Well, okay, but why me? Why not Colin? It’s his lab, his team.”

  As he spoke, I interlocked my fingers on the desk in front of me. “True. But Colin’s gonna be buried deep here soon with other work surrounding the project. And anyway, you’re not a substitute for Colin, Andrew, you’re my first choice here. Okay?”

  Andrew considered my request in silence for a moment or two before he started to nod.

  “Um yeah, okay Gabe, sure. Whatever you need. What did you have in mind?”

  I smiled as he agreed with my request.

  “It’s real simple. If anything unusual happens in the lab, I need you to let me know.”

  “Unusual how? What do you mean?”

  “Um, anything out of the ordinary that’s not directly related to work on the project. For example, like Fiona’s fainting episode. Strange behavior, gossip, what have you. It's for the good of the project and if we’ve got any instability in the team, it needs to be dealt with right away. I’ve got something I’m going to be discussing with everyone later. Bottom line is it could create in a change in team dynamics and if it does in a way that’s harmful, I need to know about it.”

  As I finished elaborating, he remained quie
t for a second or two before speaking.

  “That’s a bit mysterious but um, okay, not a problem, Gabe,” he said at last. “You can count on me.”

  Unlocking my fingers from each other, I placed my palms flat on the desk and a moment later, pushed myself into a standing position. I extended my hand towards his shaking it with a firm grasp.

  “Excellent, Andrew. Excellent.”

  A few hours after my talk with him, I summoned the lab team to the conference room for the meeting I’d mentioned to Andrew earlier. I had a notion about how to get more productivity out of them and ease Fiona out of her comfort zone a bit. If my hunch about her was correct, I sensed she'd rise to my planned challenge with enthusiasm. And so it was I stood before them at the head of the conference room later that day. Rubbing my hands back and forth with an easy rhythm, I began to speak.

  “Before I get to the details of why I’ve gathered all of you here, I just want to tell you how pleased I am with the progress you’ve made on the Link Protocol so far. That said, I’ve been through similar fund raising efforts in the past. Time seems to have a knack for getting away from you when it’s needed most and even though we’re doing well, there's room for improvement. In short, things have got to move more quickly.”

  I paused for a moment to gauge them for any immediate reaction. Seeing none, I continued, as I was sure what came next would get one.

  “So, what I’m proposing is an idea I believe will enable us to achieve our goals much sooner and… have a bit of fun in the process. In short, I'd like to hold a competition among you. The winner of this contest will receive a significant prize. I intend to create a new position, Director of Lab Research, which the winner will assume. In this role, you will report directly to me and be involved in the company’s future projects in addition to key lab initiatives. In essence, along with me, you will be integral in shaping the direction of Hawkins Biotech. It’s an incredibly exciting opportunity for whoever gets it. Not to mention a dramatic increase in your salary.”

  I paused once more and glanced around. Expressions changed as I did. Postures shifted to attention as they started to lean forward in their seats in unison.

  “I know this is the first you are hearing of my plan. Anyone have questions so far?”

  Amanda raised her hand.

  “Go ahead,” I said, nodding in her direction.

  “Gabe, how will our performance be evaluated? After all, no two of us are working on the same aspect of the project.”

  “Excellent question, Amanda.” Before I answered her, I spent a moment looking around the table. “Anyone have a similar concern?”

  Within a second or two, most everyone nodded their head.

  “All right then. Well, the answer is simple. Each of you will have key performance metrics specific to your role in the project upon which you will be evaluated. Whichever one of you shows the most improvement in the shortest time frame possible will be the winner. In this way, the playing field is leveled, since each of you are measured by your individual accomplishments.”

  As I finished, I fixed my face in an expectant gaze. “Any other questions?”

  For a few seconds, I glanced around the table at them. After it became clear there weren’t any more, I began to wrap things up.

  “Very well, I’ll get with Colin on the timeframe. Beyond that, I’ll leave it to him to set your individual benchmarks. Remember, this is about speed and efficiency. I realize it’s not the ideal pathway to good science but we’re under the gun right now and we need some big jumps in progress. All right then, everyone, good luck. Let's get to work.”

  As I finished speaking, the assembled group began to stand from the conference table and exit the room. I remained at the head of it, giving nods of encouragement to the passersby until Fiona approached.

  “Fiona,” I said as I gestured with my head for her to follow me. “A word.”

  After we’d gotten out of earshot, I turned and looked at her. With fingers half-covered in her lab coat, Fiona stood before me clutching her planner at the waist. Her blond hair wrapped around her face, partially concealing her blue eyes beneath a few wayward strands. Perfect lips tinted with a rose-colored blush stood in stark contrast to her flawless, milky skin.

  “Yes? What did you want to tell me?” she said after a few moments.

  Even in a room half-filled with people, I couldn’t stop it from happening. For another moment, I stared at her, my jaw flexing as I battled a sudden urge. Out of nowhere an instinct rose up inside of me.

  Tell her? What did I want to tell her? I didn’t want to tell her anything.

  No.

  What I wanted to do to her didn’t involve words unless grunting was considered a language. Speaking was the last thing on my mind all of a sudden. Because in that instant, I wanted to grab her, throw her down on the conference room table, spread her legs and…

  Easy Gabe. Easy bud.

  Of course, I didn’t.

  Instead, I raised my hand to my face, dragging it across my lips as I beat my carnal self into submission. Once I had it controlled, I spoke.

  “Yes, Fiona. There is something I wanted to say to you.”

  Her expression changed only a little as she looked at me. It became plain enough to see my desires went undetected, for now.

  “Okay,” she said as she shifted position a bit. Sliding her fingers through her hair, she tucked it behind her ears. “What was it?”

  I swallowed as her neck came into view. Inhaling, I looked away from it and back towards her eyes. “Simply put. I expect you to win this competition.”

  “You… do?”

  “Yes, absolutely. In fact, anything less would be a huge disappointment to me.”

  She smiled.

  FIONA

  For obvious reasons, I hadn’t shared the details of my fainting incident with my grandmother. She’d worry and lecture me about working too hard and being stressed about money. Ultimately she'd be upset about the debt again, and I had no interest in making her go through that.

  And besides, I’d worry she was worried.

  Anyway, it was better left unsaid.

  However, I was excited to share the news with her about the project and the promotion I’d receive if I happened to win the competition. And so, as I did most evenings, I ate dinner with her in her room and readied myself to tell her once we’d finished.

  We munched on a pot roast I’d thrown together before I left for work that morning. I sat in a recliner eating off a tray while she ate in bed, as usual. About halfway finished with my meal, I swallowed a piece of the savory, tender beef. Afterward, I dabbed at the corner of my mouth with my napkin and prepared to give her the good news, when she beat me to it with a question of her own.

  “So how was work today, my dear? Are you enjoying it and getting along with everyone?”

  “Yes,” I replied as placed my fork down on my plate. “Actually, I’ve got some very exciting news to share with you.”

  “Oh?” she replied, as she finished a bite. “Well, that’s wonderful. Please, I’m all ears.”

  For the next several minutes, I brought her up-to-date with my work on the Link Protocol and concluded with the meeting Gabe called earlier in the day. I explained how the competition worked and how the winner would receive a big raise and a promotion.

  She listened intently. At least that was the case until I got to the part when I told her Gabe spoke to me in private after the meeting wrapped. For no sooner had I done so than my grandmother looked up at me in silence over the edges of her reading glasses, lips pursed.

  “What?” I asked.

  With a subtle smack of her mouth she said, “Are you sure this possible promotion is the only thing your boss is interested in?”

  The space between my eyebrows wrinkled in confusion as I looked at her.

  “What? I don’t understand what you mean.”

  My grandmother raised her arm, extending an accusatory index finger in my direction in the process. �
��Romance in the workplace isn’t good idea, Fiona. In fact, it’s a terrible one.”

  “What are you talking about? Who said anything about romance?”

  As I finished speaking, she glared at me for several seconds. With her mouth closed, my grandmother slid her tongue across the front of her teeth in suspicion as I watched.

  “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “Come sit over here Fiona,” she said, as she patted on the mattress with her palm.

  By now, I’d stopped eating as well. As she issued her command, I crossed my arms at my chest.

  “No. I don’t need a lecture, if that’s what you’re thinking of doing.”

  “It’s not, dear. I just want to talk about your boss’ sudden interest in you.”

  I groaned, tilting my head upward at the same time. Straightening my arms, I closed my fingers tight around the sleeves of my shirt.

  “My boss does not have a ‘sudden interest’ in me. Why don’t you believe me?”

  “Come. Sit,” she ordered as she pointed at the mattress.

  “Fine,” I grumbled. Carrying my tray with me, I got up from the chair and a moment later, plopped down at the foot of her bed. “Okay. I'm listening.”

  “Well, let’s start at the beginning,” she said. Wiping at the tips of her fingers with her napkin, she laced her words with a tone of curiosity. “Why would he single you out do you suppose?”

  “He told me why,” I replied, without hesitation. “Because he expects me to win and was offering me encouragement. Nothing more.”

  “Oh, uh huh, I see,” she said, tenting her eyebrows at me. Shaking her head back and forth in a deliberate manner, she continued, “And, does that seem strange to you at all? That he would do such a thing?”

  I swallowed hard as she finished her thought.

  “No,” I scoffed. “What’s strange about it? Are you suggesting he doesn’t think I can do it on my own merit? Why are you assuming there’s some sexual undercurrent? When has that ever been the case with me and men? Hmm?”