Worst Co-Worker Ever

Dennis hated going to work because his co-worker, Incilay, was always reading books at her desk instead of working.  He enjoyed reading, too…reading was very important to him, in fact. But he did it at home or at a cafe, not during work hours! Work was important, too; work paid the bills.

“You cannot always be reading books at work!” he wanted to yell at her. After all, he was working harder because she wasn't working hard enough.

“To learn something new each day is important,” Incilay said, without bothering to look up at him. “The most valuable thing in the world is to learn and educate yourself. You should try it.”

Dennis couldn't believe his ears. “You are reading a Harry Potter book!” he stated. “I can't see what you are learning from that.”

Finally, she glanced up at him and rolled her eyes. “Well, perhaps you would see if you tried reading one.”

He dreaded to think what she could possibly be learning from such nonsense. Meanwhile, Incilay stopped to smoke a cigarette and glare at him. “Try not to say something stupid next,” she said. “You look like you're about to.”

Dennis felt his face flush. “I started to say something nice, but now I just want to--” He remembered he was at work, and decided not to say anything else.  He didn't want to regret it later.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” she said, snubbing her cigarette out. “I'm getting off early today, so you might have to work a bit late.  The reports are due by close of business.” She continued to talk, but Dennis was so angry he didn't listen to what she was saying.

Slowly, he walked back to his desk and sat down to begin work.  He just started typing when Incilay's phone rang.  Great, now instead of working, she would start to waste time chatting.

“Hello? Oh, hi, Melissa!”

No, Dennis thought.  Not Melissa!  He did not want to listen to them gossiping.  

“Oh, I know,” Incilay said, “my husband hates to go out anymore. He hates going anywhere.”

I can't stand to be in the same room with this person, Dennis thought. I have to get out of here!

But just as he stood up to leave, their boss, Mr. Randall, walked into the room. “Were you going to leave? You just got to work, Dennis.” The boss checked his expensive watch and frowned.  

“Yes, sir,” Dennis answered. “I was just going to take a break.”

“But you just got here.  You can't neglect to do your job,” Mr. Randall said. “I can't stand to see people neglecting their work.”

Incilay hung up the telephone to watch. But then she began to feel bad for Dennis…or so it seemed. “It's my fault. I urged him to go fetch me a cup of coffee. Do you mind, Mr. Randall?”

“No, that's alright. In fact, Dennis, since you're going to get coffee, why don't you bring me one, too?”

Dennis nodded and left, defeated.