Jake's Request for Vacation
Jake hesitated when he reached David’s closed wooden door. Was vacation worth a distressed relationship with the boss? Engineering gigs were tough to come by in Sorrento Valley (or San Diego in general) and he didn’t want to ruffle anybody’s feathers, not right before Christmas.
But the request was overdue. For over a year, Jake had worked ten-hour days writing computer code; he needed the time off, or he would collapse.
Knock-knock.
No answer.
Perhaps David himself had gone to the VP to request the last week of the year off. But wouldn't his door be open? David always kept it open when not there.
Jake knocked again. Beethoven’s Destiny: knock-knock-knock-knock!
No answer.
Just the previous afternoon when they came back from the Thai restaurant David complained he felt worn out by the project himself. It was that comment from David that made Jake find the guts to ask for the week off. And besides, between Christmas and New Year’s not a lot of productive work got done.
Software companies expected company blood flowing through your veins--and out. Jake remembered David’s words during the interview when David hired him “We want people who think about the project twenty-four seven!”
Jake, head down, begun to slowly head back towards his cubicle when the David's door opened.
Out walked Spence, the VP, a level (and a dress code) above David. “Can I help you,” Spence asked dryly without a trace of a smile.
Jake scanned the office inside before answering.
“Nothing important,” Jake said and briskly walked away, any hope of vacation now erased. David had looked distressed, his eyebrows merged. A cardboard box sat on the desk which was now clean of all personal belongings.
posted by Astrapo | 4:00 PM
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