Into the Black, part 1

When last we left our epic tale way back last Wednesday, Jen had been fired from our wonderful company. That left me to try and run the Cookie and Sparky Show as a solo act, which I wasn't sure I could pull off, but looking back I think I held up my end really well, and I think Jen would have been proud. She was definitely amused by it all when I filled her in that afternoon.

I didn't know what anyone else knew. I had the whole story, and I knew Sue was responsible for this, and in my mind's eye I saw her crowing about it to the rest of the crew, even though Jen was fairly popular with the others. I could still see that old hag boasting about it, really proud of herself. I was already angry, and that image just fueled it even further. But I was walking a bit of a tightrope myself. On one hand an injustice had been done, and the people she cared about should know she didn't just wig out and decide not to serve out her notice; on the other hand, it was embarassing to her (a little) and I didn't want to just spray the fact that she'd been fired around indiscriminately. I needed to find the balance between being a vengeful boyfriend and protecting her good name.

At the same time, anyone who noticed Jen was missing came straight to me with the questions. Depending who it was asking, I'd either be evasive or give the dirt.

Stacy was first. She'd kind of attached herself to Jen and I while visiting our department, and I figured she deserved the truth. My stand-by response to "Did she quit or get fired?" has become, "She didn't quit." That usually tells people enough, even though I've used that very sparingly, too. In Stacy's case I told her the whole enchilada. She was shocked. Shocked! "Hostile? But she's awesome. I can't think of any hostile anything." She repeated that a few times throughout the day, enough that I was starting to get worried. Not for my own sake, but I was afraid she might get into trouble. But she was discreet, so that's good.

Starr was next. Even though I like Starr, and believe she wouldn't throw me under the bus, I still had some small suspicion that she was in on this one somehow. If you recall the brief spat I had with Starr way back in the early posts of this blog, I'm not 100% certain that wasn't over some resentment she was feeling towards Jen, even though Sue did stir that whole pot up. I had to be careful with this one.

I was up at her press while she was cleaning up a job. And then she asked me where Jen was.

"You don't know?"
"No. Where is she? In turn-on?"
"You really don't know."
"I don't know."
"Ask Sue."
"Why? What's..."
"Ask Sue. She didn't tell you already?"
"She didn't tell me shit."
"She'll tell you."
"Is she not here?"
"She isn't here."
"Did Sue get her fired or something?"
So I nodded.
"Well, Jesus Christ."

I pushed as hard as I could, and if she really did know anything she's a very convincing liar, I mean like Melissa level. I was satisfied. I even got into the reasoning for the firing with Starr, because she wanted to know, and she was surprised, too. Around then Sue appeared and came around to the side of the press. I was too disgusted with the old hag to remain, so I took a powder. Later on Starr came by and told me that Sue wanted to know "What was HE talking about?" I'm pretty sure she already had a suspicion exactly what I was talking about, but Starr didn't throw me under the bus. I would have known almost right away if she had.

That left Skip and June, both of whom had come in at 6:00 where the rest of us had come in at 7:00. I was positive Sue had said something to them first thing when they were gathered at her desk. I almost wish I'd come in for 6:00 just to see how she would have spun it if I'd been standing there. The subject was *not* addressed between Sue and I, but clearly she knew that I knew everything already. For the most part she seemed to be avoiding any direct confrontation with me, but she was definitely keeping a close eye on me all day. I was waiting, though, for her to push the envelope with me on the Jen thing. I expected some kind of snarky remark, and then I would have blown my top right there. Yes I would.

I had it all prepared, too. "Why? Am I being too hostile? Maybe you can go get me fired, too." But I never got the opportunity. We had kind of a Cold War going all day long. She didn't come near me too much, and I avoided her. And that's about how it's been since, too.

After lunch, I had a visit from Bob. I know he didn't instigate the firing, but he was the one who had to carry it out. I saw him coming, but I didn't realize he was coming by to talk to me until he stopped at my press. The truth is, I did want to talk to him about all that, but hadn't had the chance. Also, first thing in the morning it seemed as though he was avoiding me. In fact, once right before 7:00 he totally ducked me. My intention was to catch him at his desk and start out with, "Are you kidding?" I'm sure he would have known what I meant.

So he approached me. "Well, I'm not surprised, but I am pleased to see that you came in to work." In other words, he thought there was a chance that after I found out they canned Jen that I would say fuck it and not come back myself. I did tell him that the thought crossed my mind, and I added that Jennifer helped talk me into showing up, which is more or less true. Clearly, the elephant in the room needed to be addressed, so I brought up that obviously I knew what happened the day before, and I further added that I had a pretty clear idea how it all shook down. That is to say, I know who's fingerprints are all over it. And Bob pretty much confirmed that my suspicions were correct.

That let me launch into the rest. I told him I thought firing Jen over the "hostile work environment" thing was absurd and ridiculous, and completely inside-out considering the conditions I work there under every day. And I said to him, "I'm not happy about it, for whatever that's worth. And I know who's responsible. And if I hear one rude comment or snotty remark about Jen from her, she and I are going to have some words." He totally knew I wasn't kidding. And he mentioned that it was one of the conditions that she couldn't say anything about Jen. I'm not sure he was really supposed to tell me that, as it really does implicate Sue in the whole thing. I told him as far as Sue goes I was keeping her at arm's length, and that's how I'd like it to stay. He figured that was probably for the best.

I may have lost my partner-in-crime, but I kept on fighting the good fight. I was anxious to get out of there, though, as my girlfriend and I had a date to meet up so as to attend her brother's high school graduation.

(to be continued)