A Man's Appetite Read Free

in the back. It’s looks as if she’s been running for her life.
     
    “Excuse me”, says Tina
     
                  “Sorry. Excuse me.”
     
    Marla stops for a minute and looks back at Tina.
     
                  “Excuse me, ma’am.”
     
    Tina turns around, a little confused and upset.
     
    “Yes?”
                  “Is your name, Tonya?”
     
    “No, Tina.”
     
                  “Yes! Tina! I’m sorry. My name is Marla.”
     
    “Your name doesn’t ring a bell.”
     
                  “I’m the new supervisor over your department. Marla Evans.”
     
    “Oh, ok.”
     
    Tina smiles, with a little curiosity. “So, this is Mrs. Evans”, Tina thinks to herself as they shake each other’s hand.
     
    “Angie told me a little about you.”
     
                  “Yes. Same here. It’s nice to meet you.”
     
    “You too.”
     
                  “I look forward to our relationship together. Hopefully, some time we can sit and get to know one another.”
     
    “I look forward to that.”
     
                  “Well, until Monday.”
     
    “Have a good day.”
     
                  “Thanks. You too.”
     
    Marla and Tina provide a fake smile for each other, before going their separate ways. Marla takes a seat in her car and takes a breather. She makes eye contact with herself, in her rearview mirror.
     
    “You did it. Another chance to be successful. You cannot screw up, this time. Keep friendships to a minimum and always remain professional. Always.”
     
    Tina approaches Angie’s office and cracks open the door, wide enough to stick her head through. Angie is busy going through personal emails, on her cell phone.
     
    “Pssst”, says Tina.
     
                  “You seem to always have perfect timing. You’re gone just before she arrives and arrives right after she leaves.”
     
    “No need to worry. I ran into her, on my way back.”
     
                  “Ran into her how?!”
     
    “While walking into the building. Goodness, Angie. You always think negative of me.”
     
                  “Just taking precaution.”
     
    “She seems ok. I have yet to see her attitude, a.k.a alter ego. But, we’ll have plenty of time for that.”
     
                  “Remember one thing, Tina. Nothing is guaranteed in this life, including your time with this company.”
     
    “But, I do my work Angie!”
     
                  “When an intern is more dependable than a full-time employee, one has to wonder. Would you pay someone, if you could get the work done for free?
     
    Tina stands in silence.
     
                  “I didn’t think so. Return to work and get rid of your habits.”
     
    Tina slams the door and returns to her department. When Tina arrives to her department, she notices Tony relaxing in her chair, talking on the phone, while twirling the phone line on his finger.
     
    “Of course. That’s what I do”, says Tony deep and softly into the phone.
     
                  “Excuse me”, yelled Tina.
     
    Tony jumps out of Tina’s seat, startled and alarmed.
     
                  “I know she doesn’t think you work harder than me.”
     
    “Forgive me, Tina.”
     
                  “Isn’t there something you should be doing?”
     
    “Yes, ma’am. I was asked by Angie to take your calls, while you were gone.”
     
                  “Take calls or make calls?”
     
    “Like I said, Angie asked me to do this. But, I have things to do. You are back to work, right?”
     
                  “Get out of my face and do your job, flunky”, growled Tina.
     
    Tony does a u-turn and quickly walks in the other direction.
     
                  “Now, I have to sanitize all my stuff! Calling his women on my phone.”
     
    ###
     
    Marla is on her way