#59 Hologram

Was invited (voluntold) to a breakfast briefing with Senior Management.

Room was windowless and smelt faintly cheap bleach and fake room freshener.

I sat at the “Initiate’s End” of the table.

Not sure what that means.

First to arrive was Director Loom, who communicates exclusively through slow blinking and a red laser pen held by an assistant.

Then came Ms. Faxwell, who might be human, though she periodically freezes mid-sentence makes a Windows 98 startup sound through his nose.

Chairman Glyph only appeared as a shimmering cube that flickered when I asked about dental insurance.

They discussed something called “The Umbrella Directive”—something about weather control and metaphor redundancy.

I told them I needed to replace my umbrella as it broke in a storm last week.

They applauded vigorously and gave me a special card, I think for the vending machine.

I also found a sticky note in my coat pocket that just said, “Don’t trust the filing cabinets after dusk.”

I don’t remember writing it.

Plus no sign of paperclips still. Must remember to ask next time.