Lineart by  -Hornbuckle- with story by  K9Lupus

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It happened on a morning much like any other since I had moved to Teesside. After waking from a decent-enough night’s rest, I gave a groggy shuffle over to the closet to get dressed. I chuffed myself up for the day with a high-five against the mirror before making my way to work—same as usual. Same as always. However, as soon as I arrived, the pit of my gut lurched a sour heave. Something was off. My department supervisor, typically a micromanaging bugger never to miss an opportunity to hover over the rest of us, was absent. Some of the other workers there eyed me with forlorn, avoidant expressions. No one was talking, even to one another. I sat down at my desk, figuring to at least get started on what was needed today and not worry about anyone else.

Then a quaint face dolled up with an excessive amount of makeup appeared at the far end of the hall. She waved a clipboard above her, loaded to the margins with messy notes and smears of crossed-out red streaks.

“Hey, Zeydaan. Listen, can I grab you for a quick minute? Mr. Concord would like to have a word with you.”

I followed Patty, Mr. Concord’s assistant, over to his office where she promptly left me at the door. She scurried off with all the urgency needed to avoid catching any part of the blast radius of whatever was about to transpire. Not a good sign.

I opened the door. Mr. Concord was there, broad-shouldered and benign.

“Uh, hello?” I began. “Patty said you wanted me to come in and talk about an important matter. If it's in regards to the rescheduled meeting for the 9th, I can assure you it’s being taken care –”

“Sit down Zeydaan,” Mr. Concord said. His tone was firm and unquestionable in stark contrast to the smile plastered over his face.

“Yes, sir.” I sat promptly, hands resting within my lap. “What’s this about?”

Silence. Then a slide of paper across the desk in my direction.

“You've been working here at the agency for a good while now. And having you in the department has been a joy. Truly. Despite what you may believe based on our past meetings, I don’t have it out for you. Between you and me, you’re one of the few workers I can count on to not muck about when push comes to shove. That’s why I ask more of you than most.”

Outside of trying to parse Mr. Concord’s twisted logic used to justify burdening me with after-hour tasks, I noticed the uneasy feeling hadn’t left my gut. “Sir, I’m confused. Is this some sort of apology?”

“No, this isn’t. I wish it was that simple. I’ll get straight to the point. As you know, in any line of work, change is inevitable. I tried to speak to the committee on your retention, but It's with my deepest regrets that I inform you today that as a function of the restructuring of our company, your current position is being dissolved effective today. You'll be given a transition portfolio instructing you on best practices– ”

The rest of Mr. Concord's words faded into static oblivion. My shoulders slumped low in the chair, knees jostling as they threatened to tuck up protectively against my chest. It was all happening again. Despite my best efforts and willingness to believe the cards had been lining up for me this time, I now knew my good fortunes had only been meant to add to the spectacle of them finally tumbling over.

At some point, I fumbled my way back to my office. I could only gather up and sort the contents of my space with a devoid, mechanical caring. Well-meaning condolences from co-workers were brushed off. Even the sound of the Bing a Mix delivery person bringing around lunch orders for the office group–mine included–even when I had declined, couldn't bring me out of the stark reality that I was now starting again at zero. But this time I was now saddled with a lease that wouldn't be up for four months.

By mid-afternoon, the task was done. I bade farewell to the building and the people inside that had been both boon and bane to my days. With the rest of the afternoon now surprisingly open, I decided to simply kick it and take a ride on the coach. Touring the sites was never really up my alley, but getting to people-watch got me imagining what their lives might have been like to lead them to that exact moment. Somewhere along the way of me pulling my thoughts outside my own head, the reality I faced didn’t seem quite so bad.

The tour bus momentarily stopped its parade of Teesside to give its occupants an opportunity to take care of their business, conveniently dropping the lot of us off at the entranceway to the premiere company gift shop. After stepping off the bus, I flitted about looking at the various odds and ends, deciding nothing was worth my time, nor my now limited funds for that matter, to bring back home. The busman rallied us back to the coach with a bellow of a call. Leaving the shop, I noticed a group of people–more like a huddled mess–out of the corner of my eye, scoffing at the pomp and circumstance tourists from across the street.

“Ey- wolfie- Grey wolfie, you-”

On a typical day, I would have ignored them entirely without a second thought. But today was doubling down on being anything but ordinary. With a frantic wave of their hand, one of the vagrants flashed a shiny object above their head. My hands immediately clapped against my sides. Empty.

“My wallet!”

A low, dry cackle was heard, and the offender took off, their friends cheering as they vanished down the street into a nearby alley.

“Oh no you don’t! Not today!”

I gave chase, weaving my way across active lanes of traffic. Blaring horns did nothing to halt my progress. I made it to the other side of the road, intact and furious. Boos and scowls from the rest of the thief’s companions could be heard as I flung myself into the alley after the culprit.

I was prepared for the thief to be long gone by the time I had arrived. Instead, they looked down at me while hanging off the edge of a nearby fire escape with a smug, victorious smile.

"Ey up! Eyes up here, grey. Hope you canna catch!" The thief tossed the wallet like a frisbee, hurling it toward me. I caught it, noticing the contents actually appeared heavier than before.

“Be sure to check inside when you get the chance, grey-o. There’s some special kalays I’ve included there for ya.’” The thief hoisted themselves up and climbed the rest of the way along the fire escape, vanishing through a cracked-open window.

“Wait!”

I opened my wallet, seeing a few, curious white sticks with streaming blue markings poking out the top. The strange smell of manufactured compounds wove their way through the wrapped cigarettes. Something was off about these. No time to think more about it though. I turned around and made my way back through the alley the way I had entered, but saw everyone had vanished. Probably for the best. They had their fun, and now I could get my rest.

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