Talking Fatigue

Yes, I did fall asleep while you were speaking. It was rather rude of me not to pay attention to everything you said, holding on to every word as if it were to the end. Yet that day was tiresome with work that demanded more of the energy I had. I know that you were excited about meeting with the new big boss. The future looked bright for you, as it could be, and you were just giving a great vision of the takeover. I know you were offended by my actions, as if you were not interested and simply asked to sit on the side if I were to fall asleep. You tend to give a lot of speeches and demand attention away from work that dearly needs to be finished. You were willing to share information more readily than your successors. The stress is so high to make your numbers, and your words are so many. I was just tired and could not stay awake while I was investigating the inside of my eyelids. I still heard you; I was not looking at you at the time.

The day was already long with the unbearable amount of work that needed to be finished to accomplish the very goals you have set for the place. The days are long while the nights are short, which leaves me more fatigued than I anticipated. The meeting was a welcome event after the constant rush of work. The whole room was full of tired individuals who needed a break from the tiring rates. The rumors had already been spread about the takeover, and the truth was ever elusive, with no clearance from the great leaders like you. Your constant plans always seem to show your need to improve the place, but you never fully explain them, as in this meeting. The unknown changes were felt by everyone, and this one was supposed to explain it all to us lowly plebs in the company. I intended to stay awake, absorbing the grand information about future events. Yet, I have a small problem staying awake when anyone starts talking about anything. I fell asleep in every class where a certain professor rambled on and on. This is not anything I just did to you. Your proud voice stayed steady, and my mind started to wander, then my eyes closed. Each detail was only about the meeting and waiting for the future of the workplace to unfold. You were so proud of that meeting, and all were just staring as if they were to hear you talk. As you droned on about the meeting over a meal, I am sure I was not the only one who wanted more information about the actual changes. It was as interesting as your other meetings, and we were then sent back to catch up on our work so we could make you look your best we could.

The second meeting was called on this order, and it was more informative than the last. You did not call me out by name, but I knew I was the one sleeping in the previous one. You sounded offended that someone did not want to hear you talk, but it was not personal. You were ready to give more information than having to listen to the rumor mill. The facts were clearer than in the current speech, and I even stayed awake, holding my head up until the end. I did not even have to sit at the side, so you did not have to see me sleep again. All meeting information was more helpful, regardless of the subject, and it was helpful to give an extra break in the day. I did feel more rested that day, and it was nice to see you speak again. All the facts were not there before, and it would have taken them forever to figure it out, even to this day. Well, I remembered less of that speech remaining awake, but you were as wonderful as usual. After other bosses' speeches, you were the best of them all in the end.

Then came the news: the new company was getting rid of you after all. All those meetings and collaborations with them were only for the next guy. The management even threw you a party with cake on your last day. I was going to miss all those meetings you liked to talk at to even attempt to explain any changes. The next guy was no worse than you and had been here previously. He talked less, but his plans were so simple that they failed to account for the complexity of the areas. We had extra breaks with you and many of your speeches given. Lower management adored every word you spoke, as if they were kissing each ring on your finger. I was sorry to see you go and wish you the best of luck in your future journey. I hope you find another job where you can be informative, even to the lowest workers. I hope you do not feel that my sleeping meant your speech was boring. It was the fatigue of the work, and your expectations were high to clear those numbers. I had been there for barely a few years and had not been given the respect you wanted as a boss. You led that company for so long and even gave your grand speeches throughout the years. I hope that my one incident did not hurt your ego more than the possibility of losing such a position.

You truly tried your best, and the corporation did not care enough to keep you. Sorry about all that happened; I am still there, and you are not. Sleeping should not be considered an insult but a compliment to your smooth voice and ability to talk about simple subject matter. After all, as much as I thought it was not a huge deal, the others were worse, and they lost a boss who tried to communicate. It has only gotten worse with each successor, who has not even shown us their vision. There will be meetings like the one you held, even with all the other bosses trying to explain themselves. Even though the one meeting seemed to be just about a dinner, the others were full of bad news about even worse changes. The loss of your leadership has been lost, and the place would be different if you had stayed.