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This is very important for us, he is saying, but all I see, instead of a person, is an empty suit, wagging its empty arms around, as if it was being worn by the Invisible Man. I bet H.G. Wells didn't have this in mind.
When we opened the door the executives got out of it almost running, alarm and and relief simultaneous emotions on their faces. They all dispersed quickly, leaving the floor, probably for the garage below and their BMWs and Audis and Volvos, all in discreet gray and blue tones. All, except one.
The executive is clearly relieved at being freed from his cage, and to show it he is hanging out with us, lowly maintenance employees, as we supposedly re-check the door of the boardroom for problems.
My hand hurts, he says, rubbing it, and I look at him and I say, Why?
Oh, I am responsible for the minutes of the meeting. We decided that it was better if we took down the notes.
We decided?
I look at Jordan, who winks in response.
I see. Another subterfuge.
It's a very important job, he says, as if he thinks that we would be impressed, and then he finishes, I am also in charge of filing.
Filing?
Yes, filing, he says, Bookkeeping. I notice he looks at Jordan in a certain way... is he hitting on her? I can never tell.
Bookkeeping.
I look at the paper with signatures that is still sitting in the middle of the boardroom table.
Like taking care of that, for example? I say, pointing at the paper.
Oh, shoot! He says. Yes. I almost forgot.
Shoot?
He walks into the empty boardroom and picks up the paper without looking at it. I say to Jordan, Should we go?
I'm worried about the memo, Jordan says.
Oh, fuck it, I say. A roll of the dice, for once, wouldn't be bad. Let it happen. Or not.
Okay, Jordan says.
Were to? I say.
The security room. Pete must be waiting.
We say, Bye! and the exec, who has walked up to the window and is looking out, turns startled and blurts out, Goodbye, then doubts for a moment and finally turns around to watch the night outside.
We walk out, leaving him alone in the room, his figure receding between the city lights that get in the room with no invitation, and nowhere else to go.
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6:38:49 PM 
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