Now That’s What You Call A Social Wedgie!

In the last episode, Ben had been given the third degree over the shredding incident he had witnessed, while his hopes were raised by the job interview with Laxo Smut Klump. His troubles have only just begun as he is about to find out…

******

Ben had been on a relaxing four-day holiday. It was July 4 in the U.S. He worked in the "land down under," but he thought if the Yanks had a holiday, it was good enough for him too.

After all, he did come from a country that had a public holiday for a two-minute horse race, and now this year they were also getting a holiday for a football game.

He was on top of the world, having just gotten notice of a new job – Senior Sales Rep with Laxo Smut Clump. He could not wait to tell Tina Goodytwoshoes at the end of the week when she got back from China. He had also organised to have a couple of beers with his mate Ernie tonight.

Life is good, he thought. He could put the whole affair of the shredding incident and Tomas Stickler behind him. Onward and upward. I’ve done my bit, I reported it, and now it's their problem.

“So what’s this great news, Ben? I need some good news today; it's not been a good day; I got fired.”

“What?” was all that Ben could muster, looking like he was just about to drop his lunch!

“What?”

“Yeah, I got fired, no explanation, nothing, nudda nichts! No “thank you," no “good job," but nothing. They said nothing.”

“But they must have said something,” protested Ben.

"All that was said was that my position was no longer needed due to changes in the accounting department." I’ll get over it,” added Ernie bravely, “What’s your news?”

Ben was silent. He felt terrible. The penny had just dropped. Ernie had lost his job because of his conversation with Stickler. How could he tell his best mate about his new job? He’d soon be free of Fartbender and all their tricks. But he had just lost his old job.

“Nothing important; it can wait. I’ll get us a couple of tonics,” he ventured, looking for an excuse to get away for a minute. “We’ll be right, mate!”

Ben returned with two frothies, “Here you go! Get this into you – a premium beer, a Heineken! Only joking, old buddy - nothing but a good old Aussie Crownies!”

“Say, Ernie, do you think this had anything to do with the whole shredding thing? I did what you said and spoke with Tomas Stickler from Legal. He gave me the real third degree. He acted like it was my fault or something. That’s the last time I do that!” said Ben with confidence as he knew he was leaving soon.

“You did what, Ben?”

“It all fits now. “Larry Pomapdoo from Sales & Marketing was all chummy with me yesterday. He asked about invoices and who I worked with on his team,” Ernie said, looking a bit pale.

“What did you say?” asked Ben.

“I told him I worked with Mary Uselessmeeni. It all fits! Guess who got fired yesterday? Larry told me he was going to have to let her go for poor performance, saying she just didn’t have what it takes!”

Ben downed his beer, barely taking a breath. What was he going to do? His best friend got fired because of him. Now, he was ready to leave for better opportunities. It felt like a real social wedgie, and Ben saw no way out.

“Why don’t you blow the trumpet?” said Ben.

“Do what?” replied Ernie.

“You know, go to the police or someone, blow the trumpet.”

“Moron!” was the only thing Ernie said as he got up.

"It's blow the whistle, and that is exactly what you have done to me. Blown the whistle and now I don't have a job!" and walked out of the pub, leaving Ben to ponder his social wedgie.

Ben just sat there. What was he going to do now?

Next Episode- Episode 5: “Non compliance grows like a cancer - so it seems”

Till next time,

Calvin