"Fuck...this is the last thing I need now...going mental."
Moebius murmurs as he turns on the faucet. He washes his face, rubbing his eyes roughly, hoping that the water could somehow also clear the screen from his vision. He shuts his eyes and massages his scalp trying to get a semblance of calm by pretending the situation doesn't exist. Moebius wants a hint of peace-
*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*
Suddenly, someone knocks on the door-No, to be more accurate, someone unleashes their frustration on the poor door hinges. Moebius sighs as he knows this type of crazed knocking pattern is possible by only one person and it's everyone's favorite corporate coyote-Jeremy. Moebius places his hand on the handle with a muffled grunt; The last thing he needs now are the sarcastic questions and the back handed comments which come with the Jeremy package. Reluctantly, he pushes down on the handle and the door creaks open causing the harsh white light from above the sink mirror to slowly falls onto Jeremy's pearly whites.
"Mister....Moebius." Jeremy grumbles with his eyes bulging out, just a squeeze away from falling out. "While I understand the importance of taking breaks....but I hope you don't abuse the privilege at the expense of the company...Not everyone is as lucky as you Moebius."
Here comes the classic Jeremy.
Jeremy quickly scans the surrounding area for any workers and then straightens his tie. Suddenly, he leans against the door frame, taking off his plastic smile and replacing it with his true-twisted grin. He gets close to Moebius's face and whisper's into his ear:
"Maybe you forgot who got you, an aging old man, this job...Hmmm? Moebius?"
Moebius knew what to expect as soon as Jeremy dropped the 'Mister'....Today this jackass is in a specially sour mood, maybe the desk girl rejected his 'charming' advances. Jeremy's eyes glint with a new shade of maliciousness but Moebius's just follows through with a resigned bow, which looks more like he was looking down at Jeremy who was on his tippy toes to match Moebius's stature. Jeremy's smirk falters for a bit and his eyes twitch with a hint of insecurity.
"Ya lookin' down on me...Moebius?"
The professional tone has been scratched and his hidden dialect shines through. Moebius isn't phased, he knows that Jeremy's words come from a hollow place. The difference in age isn't the only noticeable factor, the disparity of body size should be alarming for someone as lanky as Jeremy, especially when they decide to run their mouth, but Jeremy has a weird confidence in his actions.
Is it because he practices martial arts? Does he have something to hold against Moebius? Is he using his position of power to back his abusive actions?....Well, the last part is true but Jeremy continues his crude behavior due to one thing-No Consequences. He started his charade with a few friendly jabs at Moebius, testing the grounds, when he realized that Moebius remained docile, his remarks became.....less friendly. As the years went by, his antics rose to a staggering level, with a dance of humiliations in front of others and the condescending mental abuse when no one is around...but Moebius acts like none of it even exists...which only seems to rile up Jeremy.
"Jeremy, I'll get bac-"
"Oooh? 'Jeremy'? Did ya forget who you're speaking with?"
Jeremy suddenly takes his index and rubs its against his shiny badge, which showcases the title 'Site Executive'. He pauses for a second and looks at Moebius for any hints of a rebuttal but all he finds is detached coldness...which pisses him off even more. Jeremy lets out a forced and bitter chuckle as he runs his fingers through his perfectly kept hair.
"Since you seem to have lost your senses old man, let me remind you of the importance of respect-You forgot the fucking 'Sir' which comes with my position."
Jeremy then taps Moebius's chest with a not-so subtle aggression who just stares at Jeremy's eyes, which keep twitching at Moebius's indifference. Inside of Moebius's head he plays out the multiple combinations he could dish out to fold Jeremy like an omelet. JAB-JAB-CROSS, JAB-CROSS-HOOK or JAB-HOOK-HOOK but he knows that Jeremy would likely be sent to the under world with just the first jab. Jeremy, who is oblivious to Moebius's mental dojo, just gets more agitated at the lack of response.
"SAY SOMETHING! YOU DECAYING FUCK!"
He grunts as he pushes Moebius which only seems to cause himself to stumble back instead, just like pushing against a brick wall. Moebius snaps out of the action sequence taking hold in his mind and suddenly steps forward which causes Jeremy to flinch back as he suddenly gets a hint of terror, thinking maybe he might've pushed Moebius too far today. Moebius moves forward and Jeremy yelps back into a crouching position, as he gets over shadowed by Moebius's figure. Now what is it? A JAB?! A CROSS!? A HOOK?! IT IS....a bow.
"I'm sorry for any disrespect. It wont happen again...Sir."
Jeremy blinks his eyes open and tries to regain his composure by straightening out his posture and his tie, as he steps back saying:
"Y-Yes, Make sure it doesn't! I ain't got time to manage your fuck ups." Jeremy's chest heaves, as he slowly calms himself down. "Are we clear...Mister Moebius?"
And just like that, the mask is back on along with the 'Mister' title. His fake smile is plastered back on as he moves away and walks out of the staff area. Moebius sighs and glances back at his reflection in the mirror behind. He then tries one last time to test his sanity.
"Hey...ummm...you there?...World Tag-"
*HOW CAN I BE OF ASSISSTANCE?*
"Yep....I'm still deranged"
Moebius mutters as he hears the familiar voice ring out once more. Moebius lets out another exasperated sigh as he confirms, his 'delusions' haven't gone away. He is now more tired than shocked, especially after his exchange with 'Sir' Jeremy and starts a conversation with the 'voice inside his head'.
"Hey...can you just disappear for a while?"
*UNDERSTOOD. WOULD YOU LIKE TO PUT THE SYSTEM IN MANUAL MODE*
"Yeah Yeah Whatever, if it means you stay quiet for a while, then yeah."
Moebius just casually mutters as he walks back to his locker to collect his equipment. He doesn't care about the details at this point, he just wants peace. The system voice rings out along with a flashing blue screen which doesn't even phase Moebius anymore.
*THE SYSTEM IS IN MANUAL MODE*
[MANUAL MODE INITIATED]
*THE SYSTEM WILL START AGAIN IF PROMPTED OR IF ANYTHING RELATED TO THE EVENT NEED TO BE ACTED UPON.*
And with that, the screen along with its systemic voice vanish. Moebius is slightly happy at the promise of momentary peace until he catches a small neon timer along his peripheral vision. He moves his head, but the timer moves along with his vision, just like a virtual reality screen. Moebius groans as he wonders what is the purpose of this timer and his worries are spike as he realizes it is counting down and is currently at '00:12:45:13', which poses Moebius with the question:
"What the fuck is going to happen in half a day?"