Assignment for Tue, Sep 1
This story describes the orientation of a new employee lead by the protagonist. The protagonist is very familiar with all the rules and regulations as well as the other colleagues in this institution. The new employee is told something particular about each person in different offices, including the things are not supposed to know. The protagonist also tells him what is the right thing to do or not. The most important thing the protagonist wants this new person to know is that he may be let go if he does not obey any obvious or potential rules.
In my opinion, one of the issues this story deals with is the complicated relationship in these offices, which is an implicit argument.
One of the claims this story seems to be making is that it is important for the new employee to know about different people around him so that he can get along with them. As the first time to be here, he should know something about his colleagues with different favors and disgusts before he gets to meet them later. Only in this way can he easily get along with them in the future.
For example, John LaFountaine, he says it is accacidental for he uses the women’s room occasionally. People just let it pass since John LaFountaine is harmless. Amanda Pierce, who has a autistic son and a husband. “She comes to work exhausted and freshly wounded each morning, wincing from the abrasions on her breasts, or the bruises on her abdomen, or the second-degree burns on the backs of her thighs.” Obviously, people can tell that her husband must have a sexual mistreatment of her. Actually, people are not supposed to know that. Anyone may be let go if he let on, so does the new comer. Anika Bloom, a woman who can tell you exactly how and when you will die. So, never talk to her. Colin Heavey, was new once, but he did not hear others’ warn about Anika Bloom. Last year, “Colin Heavey brought her a drink. He hasn’t been himself since. Colin Heavey is doomed.” So the new one is told to stay away from Colin Hravey. Barry Hacker, the one whose wife died because a blood vessel burst in her brain while Barry Hacker was kissing her. Barry Hacker steals food from refrigerator, which is an outlet for his grief. So, just put a little extra food in the bag for him. Gwendolyn Stich is crazy about penguins, her door is always open for everyone. Kevin Howard, is a serial killer. “In any case, when Kevin Howard gets caught, act surprised. Say that he seemed like a nice person, a bit of a loner, perhaps, but always quiet and polite.” That is all for the new employee need to know and to do. Do not ask too much, or you may be let go.
The story goes about working on the emotions and reasonings of readers through the complicated relationship between people. They are amphibolous, independent, or opposed in the story. Someone always has something particular does matter with another colleague in the offices. The relationship is so complicated and mysterious that readers just cannot help themselves going through the story.
