Joe Goodham prepared for his morning trip to the office in the usual way. Usual, that is, for the work “week” that requires appearing at the office twice each week; his assigned days are Tuesday and Friday. After the pandemics of 2020, 2026, and 2031, remote work had become the norm but business school research had determined that an office presence twice each week was best for productivity, management updates, and to advance team projects that drew on the synergy emerging from face-to-face meetings. Each employee was assigned specific days so that a work surface could be shared among the rotating staff presence in the newer, downsized offices.
He eased himself into the compact but comfortable confines of his car and ordered it to prepare his customary decaf Americano brew as the auto eased onto the street for the 25-minute commute to the office park/residential plaza, a mixed-use structure that was a small community of about 2,500 people, give or take.
Joe activated the mobile ham radio but before he could monitor
