After lunch, Paula appeared at my cubicle and said hello, she seems to be feeling more comfortable and confident in the office these days. She looked at me and said, “Do you have the Thornton working file?’
I told her I did not have it and, in fact, never had it. She looked troubled by this admission, “Well, Tina said you had it”.
“Sorry,” I told her. ”But I never even worked on that project.”
“That’s weird, I asked pretty much everybody else and no one has a clue.”
“Looks like you have a real mystery on your hands, Paula.”
“Yea, kinda like one of those Allan Edgar Poe stories.”
This time I was the one who stared blankly, “Right,” I said. ”Or at least something similar to that.”
“Crazy days, I tell ya.”
I smiled and wanted to say, “Paula, you mistake me for the owner of this melancholy file, whose bleak and dreary contents seem to cast a hideous and insufferable gloom which pervades my very soul.” But I didn’t.
It is to be found in Crebillion’s A’tree.
Just say you had planned to hand in it today but that your raven ate it.
Works every time.
I like this Ram, I had been saying that a leviathan had eaten my homework, but this is more believable. Thanks.
I didn’t notice until I reread it, but did she say, “Allen Edgar Poe”? In that order? Because, I certainly hope she did. It can only make my love for her grow stronger.
She did Kali.
On Paula’s birthday, I suggest you take her here for lunch…
http://www.theravenpub.com/
For a gift, she might enjoy…
http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Mystery-Imagination-Parsons-Project/dp/B000001FN3
I’m sure this would please her tell-tale heart and avoid any descents in maelstroms that a black cat might bring.
Thanks Alan. Thorough as always.
For the love of Allah, FJ…can we please get a picture? I am falling madly in love with this woman. Can’t you hear my heart beating? (thump…thump…thump)
Yea, you would hit that.
I seem to recall a picture of her… A full set of teeth, a rather wide mouth, and quite the mane of hair…? Or was that another stable in another life?
Alan is indeed correct. See: http://fundamentaljelly.com/2009/03/04/the-new-girl-in-the-office/
Sadly that Thornton working file, along with her brain cells will be found nevermore.
Gone. History. Archives.
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary.
Jelly’s blog got so eerie that I retired to bed spooked and teary.
(Credit line one:…the Raven).
All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream—Poe
How tactful you were. Or would it have been wasted on her?
Thanks GB. Given your background, you may be able to provide me some valuable tips on communicating with Paula.
Think we need Herlock Sholmes on the case.
Plus Woctor Datson no doubt.
no comments just funny stuff! working late and as usual entertained by the Paula Chronicles…
Sweet
[...] Thursday: The Tell-Tale Idiot I was just reminded by Robert over at Fundamental Jelly of a story. It gives me a tiny, wee little chuckle when I think about it, and though what [...]