Fika

[soldevenus]

Kingdom Y of Agency X is located on the third floor of building Z. There we dance to the rhythm of our Outlook calendars and the tempo of our clacking keyboards. Back and forth from conference room to cubicle, from cubicle to bathroom and around and around all day long. We all know the sounds: John’s daily apple that he eats with his mouth just a bit too open, the smooth sliding of the cubicle door after a late entrance, footsteps to and fro and the occasional desperate laugh. Here the world disappears, and the dance prevails, and Excel becomes our canvas.

This is the Office of the Director where leadership and subject matter experts oversee their Kingdom. Associate Director for Policy, Associate Director for Communications, Associate Director for Science… These are the princesses that have ascended the ranks through sweat and hard work. And then there’s the King who brings peace and order and represents the Kingdom to the Agency and other functions. The rooster with his hens.

In the breakroom the men gather for the daily morning break. Fika they call it, a Swedish word for coffee break. “The Director,” said biostatistician extraordinaire, “you know, the Director. He suggested we start this daily tradition for us to get together, share coffee, and head back to work.” Here the men talk about their weekend car rides across the northern mountains and show off their knowledge of movies and local cultural events. Until one day the conversation became too deep and strange sentiments poured out of biostatistician extraordinaire. Rumors spread from the break room to the offices and biostatistician extraordinaire left the Kingdom and the dance continued, on and on.

Comments

[murielle]

There is something so cool about this! Great take on the prompt.

[the_eternal_overthinker]

Interesting world you built in here and how Ironic that it continues without pausing to reflect that routine sometimes gets boring. I like that word "Fika" thanks for introducing me to it :)

[encrefloue]

Ahh, such a cool concept!! I really enjoy the metaphors you've employed, especially the daily grind as a courtly dance. The joining of disparate epochs drives home the feelings of futility and impuissance for an individual against a system, because the system may change, but it goes on and on and on. Piercing point of view, expressed beautifully and succinctly. Love it!

[dmousey]

This was an interesting read! Thanks for inking. 😊✌~~~d

[rayaso]

I loved the line "we dance to the rhythm of our Outlook calendars and the tempo of our clacking keyboards," and your description of office life as a dance. Very well done!

[tonithegreat]

Yay, you’re back, with your poetic song-like descriptions! Beautiful!

[bewize]

This reminds me of Office Space, but it is much more eloquent. :)

[tatdatcm]

You make an office sound interesting and poetic. I don't think I've ever come across anything quite like this. I enjoyed it.

Nice use of the prompt.

[halfshellvenus]

There we dance to the rhythm of our Outlook calendars and the tempo of our clacking keyboards.
Hahaha-- that could be my office, and so many others.

I love the idea of various kingdoms, overseen by various directors. But why indeed did the biostatistician leave?