Chapter 18

           THISFRIDAYNIGHT,Ifallasleepatmydeskatwork. 

           WhenIwakeupwithmyfaceandmycrossedarmsanmydesktop, thetelephoneisringing,andeveryoneelseisgone. Atelephonywasringinginmydream,andit’snotclearifrealityslippedintomydream orifmydreamissloppingoverintoreality. 

           Ianswerthephone,ComplianceandLiability. That’smydepartment. ComplianceandLiability. 

           Thesunisgoingdown,andpiled-upstormcloudsthesizeofWyomingandJapanareheadedourway. It’snotlikeIhaveawindowatwork. Alltheoutsidewallsarefloor-to-ceilingglass. EverythingwhereIworkisfloor-to-ceilingglass. Everythingisverticalblinds. Everythingisindustriallow-pilegraycarpetspottedwithlittletombstonemonuments wherethePCsplugintothenetwork. Everythingisamazeofcubiclesboxedinwithfencesofupholsteredplywood. 

           Avacuumcleanerhumssomewhere. 

           Mybossisgoneonvacation. HesentmeanE-mailandthendisappeared. I’mtoprepareforaformalreviewintwoweeks. Reserveaconferenceroom. Getallmyducksinarow. UpdatemyresumeThatsortofthing.They’rebuildingacaseagainstme. 

           IamJoe’sCompleteLackofSurprise. 

           I’vebeenbehavingmiserably. 

           Ipickupthephone,andit’sTyler,andhesays, "Gooutside,there’ssomeguyswaitingforyouintheparkinglot."