Global Consumables
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Global Consumables |
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By Shaun A. Saunders © 2008
Fans of Shaun's work will also be pleased to know that AntipodeanSF and Wordright has released Shaun's first anthology of short speculative fiction, Navigating In The New World, to rave reviews. Click here to find out more and get your copy today!
Megan blushed. Tom, her co-worker, supervisor and friend at Global Consumables said, "You're three minutes late!" he allowed a furtive glance over his shoulder, "This isn't the time to be making the wrong impression; you of all people should know that." "Is Mr Harris in yet?" Megan asked, referring to their manager. "Of course he is," Tom replied. Exasperation coloured his voice. "I mean, what were you expecting — that the general manager of Global would sleep in, or have a flat tyre on the way to work?" Megan nodded in concession. Tom was right, of course. Mr Harris was never late, had never had a day off work. He was the model employee, the perfect manager. He ate lunch at his desk, and was always the last to leave. Still, she had worked diligently and consistently at Global for her entire adult life — fifteen years now — and sometimes the ever-increasing responsibilities that went along with her position irked her. But, as she reminded herself, she was lucky to have a job. Tom continued. "Listen, I have a production meeting with Mr Harris in half an hour. And if he doesn't take that opportunity to quiz me about your late arrival, he certainly will at the marketing meeting straight afterward. So we better get our stories straight." With a half smile, he added, "That shouldn't be too hard for you Megan, after all, aside from other things, you are the Public Relations Manager." "Tom, I know I was late, but I do have a reasonable excuse: after my father's funeral, the media cornered me. It was Lisa Sinclair, the latest sensation from ABC. You see her on the news every night. Well, tonight you'll see me as well." Tom nodded. Lisa Sinclair was a simulacrum, an engaging holographic computer program that was topping the ratings war. He said with caution, "What was the interview about?" "Oh, nothing earth shattering. She wanted to know about how the death might affect my work and so on." Lisa had grown somewhat bored with the publicity surrounding her job at Global, but this time, perhaps it might work to her advantage. Brightening, she said, "I did use the interview as an opportunity to extol the family-friendly work policies at Global. That should count for something..."
At ten to five, and with a long face, Tom gave Megan the bad news: "Sorry, Megan, but with the market so fragile, we just had to cut some fat…if you'd be so kind as to clear out your desk…" *** Tom glowered. Megan Vale, employee of Global Consumables, the only manufacturing company left on the planet, now redundant. He clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white — what had happened to Megan could just as easily happen to him. The fact that he was now the second last employee left at Global — or anywhere else in the world — would amount to little if there were another market downturn. The people at the top always protected themselves, and Mr Harris was no exception. He'd hang on to the last job on Earth to the very end.
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