Storm and Silence (Storm and Silence 1)
So I wasn’t hungry when I returned to work. Yet over the course of the afternoon, another more pressing need made itself known to me. You could stay alive for several weeks without eating anything, I’d heard, but this need in the lower half of my body required more immediate release. Especially since Mr Ambrose kept me on my feet, hurrying around the room, fetching files, which didn’t exactly combine well with the building pressure down there.
Another message landed on my desk with a plink.
Mr Linton,
Bring me file 29IV229.
Rikkard Ambrose
I stood up - and suddenly knew that file 29IV229 would have to wait a little longer. I hurried out of the room into the hallway. Mr Stone looked up from his paperwork as I approached.
‘Excuse me, Mr Stone?’ I squeaked. Quickly, I cleared my throat. ‘Excuse me?’ T
hat was better, though my voice was still slightly higher than befitted my role as a gentleman. ‘Do you know where the bathroom is?’
‘Certainly, Mr Linton.’ He pointed down the hall. ‘Two floors down, then take the first door on the left.’
Ugh! Stairs. Would I survive that? I could only hope.
‘Thank you!’ I squeaked, and hurried off.
Shortly afterwards, I returned, my steps a lot more measured and careful. My voice was still unnaturally high when I inquired:
‘Err… Mr Stone?’
‘Yes, Mr Linton?’
‘Are there any other toilets in the building? Maybe some that actually have cubicles?’
He frowned. ‘No, I don't think so. Why?’
‘Never mind!’
Back in my office, I saw two messages on my desk. Just as I closed the door behind me, a third landed beside the other two.
Mr Linton,
I refer back to my previous message. Bring me the aforementioned file.
Rikkard Ambrose
And the second one:
Mr Linton,
I’m waiting.
Rikkard Ambrose.
And the third one.
Mr Linton,
I am becoming impatient. Do not try me. Bring me file 29IV229. Now.
Rikkard Ambrose.
Bugger! What was I going to do? I couldn’t fetch the file! I probably wouldn’t get to the shelves without… well, I might not be a very polite lady, but even I wouldn’t mention that. Quickly, I considered the roads which were open to me. Could I get through the entire day like this? No, definitely not. That left two options: