The Receptionist’s voice reverberated across the floor – “All Staff and Office personnel are requested to assemble in the auditorium. Our CEO has requested an urgent all hands meet…. All Staff and Office personnel…..”
It was my first day at Latitude Corporation. My job description is simple – I’m usually hired when situations are messy and I bring things back to order.
I stepped out of my room in response to the announcement. I could see scores of people walking towards the meeting. Urgent meetings requested by the CEO of a company are not common and understandably imaginations must be running wild. I could sense the fright and panic crossing through most minds. I smiled within myself.
I entered the auditorium to find that the CEO was waiting for us already on an elevated platform. There was an unsettled look in his face which he tried to etch away with a smile. Everyone looked animated and a feeble murmur resonated in the hall. I smiled within myself.
The CEO motioned to me to join him on the stage. I quickly waded through the crowd and did so. As soon as I stepped on the platform a hush fell on the crowd. I smiled within myself.
“Beloved friends! With immense pleasure, let me introduce Mr Edward Norton to you all. Mr Norton has been hired as our chief security adviser to address the security hassles we have been having lately. I expect you to extend your fullest cooperation and warmest welcome to him. Without further ado, I present him to you”, the CEO exclaimed.
I stepped forward and quickly scanned the crowd. The employees stood in different partitions and segments. I made a mental note of the gangs which irked me. Couple of them looked very rebellious to me. I smiled within myself.
“Everyone, you can call me Mr Norton. I don’t believe in exchanging pleasantries, so let me get straight to the point. In the notes which are circulated now, you will see a new set of rules and regulations which will come into effect immediately. I expect you to adhere to these rules in every strict sense. My tolerance levels are at bare minimum and please don’t brush it.”
I could sense the discomfort in the room, but didn’t care. I know that I would slow down the entire system and put immense stress on them all with my rules, but again my job dictates me to do it.
I started scanning all faces as they read the new rules which are coming into order. I paused an extra moment when scanning the backmarkers. Something irked me again. I smiled within myself.
“While the rest of you digest these rules, can I ask the gentleman at the back and the two lovely ladies next to him to step forward?” I announced. They looked alarmed at my request and hesitated, which made me to add “That wasn’t a request people, but an order”.
That did the trick. They slowly moved forward giving me a better view of the shorter lady. She sported a knee length skirt, lacey strapped white blouse, plunging neckline, a wavy hair and a nonchalant smile. She looked very intriguing and strangely familiar. I didn’t like that feeling. I never leave traces behind.
I couldn’t delay it further. I dismissed the rest of the crowd and waved at the girl to join me in my private room. She smiled as if she was waiting for the call. Little did she know that she was entering the perfect room for quarantine investigations. I smiled within myself.
“I don’t want your name or phone number or anything. Just show me you ID”
She looked puzzled and mystified. I expected it. “Show me your ID, When did you join here? Who hired you? Where do you stay?” I barked.
She seemed to have recovered from my sudden question now. “I didn’t bring my ID today. Will that be a problem?” she asked. She came closer and I saw more of her now.
“Not on my first day”, I told myself and buzzed the CEO. He was surprised to find her and me in the room.
“Shilpa? Mr. Norton! What is going on here?” He seemed to know her well. Maybe too well.
“Who is she?” I asked him.
“Shilpa is part of our PR Team. Did you find any issues Mr. Norton?”
“She is a serious threat to this organization. I have to kill her immediately. Can I proceed?”
The CEO didn’t look like he is listening to me.
“Yes or No? I need an answer now”, I shouted.
The CEO didn’t budge. He stood too shocked to speak.
I shouted again, “Damn it! Are you even listening? She is a SPY. I have to exterminate her and have to question everyone in your organization. Are you getting this? Yes or No?”
Shanthu woke up from his sleep and looked at the beeping monitor.
Norton Antivirus found a Spyware in your system. The Spyware has to be removed and a system restart has to be performed for additional housekeeping. Do you want to continue? Yes or No?
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