 #1 (permalink) Sat Jan 09, 2010 15:51 pm George and the Snow. |
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"Bloody weather forecasts!" George Robson muttered under his breath.
The forecast had been for a light snowfall, but here he was, stuck in this traffic jam on the M3, heading for London and his Xmas dinner.
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He had been a fool to drive to the office this morning, but the roads had been fairly clear and the traffic had sped along trouble-free.
It wasn't until he neared Bristol that the snow had started to fall again, and by the time he reached the office it lay deep on the car-park surface.
Only a few of the staff had managed to get to the office because of the heavy snow that had fallen to the West and North of Bristol.
Now he was having to do not only his own quota of work, but also the work of others.
He fumed as he sat at his desk, fingers flying across his computer keyboard.
His boss patrolled the office, pouring fresh coffee replenishment for any who needed it.
On first entering the building the boss had thanked him profusely for managing to get to work. So few had bothered to even try.
If only your gratitude had been reflected in my Xmas bonus I would really have felt obligated to have gotten here thought George to himself.
Two hundred quid! What a damned insult for working like a dog the whole year.
Never mind, I'll start looking for another job when this weather clears again.
That will be my New Years Resolution.
He smiled to himself, knowing full-well that he was getting too old to compete in the race for jobs against all of these young college graduates.
Only a day-dream, but what else have I to look forward to, he thought.
Suddenly the unexpected occurred. The offices were plunged into near-darkness. "That's all we bloody need," he thought to himself.
"We'll give it half an hour, and if the power isn't restored then we'll call it a day," shouted the boss from his open office door. "In the meantime, I'd like to talk with you George."
George rose from his chair and walked across to the office of the boss.
"Come in and close the door George, this conversation is private."
"Oh no," thought George. "Surely I'm not getting the old heave-o at my age."
"How long have you been working here George?" was the first question the boss asked him.
George rubbed his temples thoughtfully. "Seventeen years Mr Watson," he nervously replied.
"And in those seventeen years you have never asked for a raise or a promotion?"
"Well, I know that this is a small private company, and I'm sure that you gave us all salary increases whenever the company could afford it," replied George.
"I'm sure that there have been times when you've thought about leaving us George,"
"But,"........ interrupted George,
"No buts George. I know how you must have felt, for I would have felt the same in your position.
"You are a vital part of this organisation, and for that very reason I have decided to make you a full partner in the firm. You've earned it and you deserve it."
George was completely taken aback at this statement.
He tried to stammer his thanks, but his boss just clapped him on the shoulder.
"Go home George, and give it some thought. I'll see you after the holidays and we'll take care of the legal documentation on your return."
He shook George warmly by the hand and wished him a very Merry Xmas.
George left the building in a dream-like state.
Partner... he couldn't believe it!
His mind was in a state of euphoria.
He drove slowly through the snow-filled streets until he finally joined the slip-road to the M3, and headed homewards.
He thought about his family's reactions to his wondrous news.
The traffic jam ahead was the only blot on his landscape.
He slowed to a halt and turned on the radio.
The radio reported that the weather was slowly worsening.
No matter, he thought. I should be home in a couple of hours.
As he was lighting a cigarette he failed to see the huge tanker behind which was jack-knifing toward him.
It struck his tiny Metro with terrific force and George was crushed against the steering wheel.
The wheel collapsed and the column sheared completely through his chest.
He died instantly.
Kitos.
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 Kitosdad
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Joined: 04 Mar 2009
Posts: 13417
Location: ESSEN, Germany, (but English.)
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