atta boy

after Techson Medical
Supply fired Ray
for falsifying documents
we were told
that his position
wasn't going to be filled
and all the money
that he was being
overpaid was going to
be divided amongst the
four of us;
which should make
us all very happy indeed.

i was the last
one called into the boss'
office and he
told me that, although
i've been a reliable
employee for over four years,
and even though i've
done one hell of a fine
job while i've
been here, they weren't
able to give me
that raise.

i asked him why
and he expressed
vague reasons about
how Human Resources decides
everything and that
it was all beyond
his control; and
if it were up to him
anyways he'd make damn
sure i got a big
raise and a promotion
to go with it.

but, he hastened
to add,
he appreciates all the
hard work i've
been doing, and i'm not to
believe for one second
that it hasn't been
noticed by him.

being appreciated
and noticed by your boss
certainly does take
the sting out of being
screwed by him.

-published in Pemmican Press