SMACK!
SMACK
SMACK SMACK!
Helomoto's head was banged awake.
"MERLIN'S BEARD," he yelled. At that moment he realized he would aptly need to accept his fate.
He was in the hand of a young man who was eagerly stapling packets one by one. The fervor in his step could be mistaken for a competition.
"If I didn't know any better I would think you were in a stapling competition," chuckled another, slightly older gentleman as he slid next to the boy and poured himself a cup of coffee.
The two men chatted a bit and their voices blurred into the background as Helomoto realized he had been displaced. He looked around and soon understood he was in the Xerox corner.
"I'm pretty sure she's been sneaking some of the funds. There's no other explanation for the gaps in the books," he heard two other woman whisper discreetly.
He hadn't notice the men leave.
"I've been doing the bookkeeping for years. I know my work!" muttered one of the woman. Her eyes darted around nervously as she checked to ensure noone else heard the conversation. She had a mop of fuzzy gray hair that was tied back into a sad excuse of a bun. The world of accounting had been cruel to her.
Helomoto saw fear in her eyes.
"Are you positive, Mary? This is a big accusation, especially for a such an important person in the firm. You have to be positive!" Responded the other woman.
"Listen Samantha, she's one of the partners of the office and I think that's why she's confident about not being tracked. I've traced the money. I know this place like the back of my hand. I am deathly afraid of getting on her bad side, but I'm afraid if I don't do something about it she will eventually pin this on me. I wouldn't put it past her!" Mary exasperated.
"So Lucifer's been embezzling some money," thought Helomoto.
"Hello ladies!" a tall, thick man remarked as he walked towards the Xerox corner. He had friendly eyes, genetically superior strong eyebrows which, if you looked closely, stretched slightly around his eyes like goggles.
"How's hump day treating ya?" he joked.
The women quieited immediately and tried to change the subject without giving away their fear.
"Hey by the way, Sam, would you mind reaching out to Horton's to see if they can arrange for a cheese spread for the Michaelson group meeting? It was rescheduled for 1 pm." expressed the man.
"Of course Mr. Smith, should I order the usual or the pastrami special?" questioned Samantha.
"Let's do pastrami. I know I always say I'm trying to lose this gut," he pointed to his belly while smiling, "but sometimes you need an extra little something to help you get through the week."
The group dispersed and walked back to their desks. Helomoto quickly zoomed to their nameplates:
"Samantha Apple, Office Assistant."
"Mary Begum, CPA."
The man entered one of the offices behind the glass door. His office was nicely furnished. His nameplate was too far to read but he could tell he was one of the partners.
"Jaxley, Smith and Cone," pondered Helomoto. He had just met Mr. Smith, one of the three partners. Lucifer was one of the other 3 partners, but he was unsure if she was Jaxley or Cone.
Helomoto's head spun with thoughts. This didn't last too long though because he was yet again picked up and smacked on the head.
"YOU IMBECILE!
YOU'RE ALL PEASANTS!" He exclaimed.