Intrigues in the Office: contos, #1

By Ricardo Almeida

"Embark on a captivating journey into the intricate world of office dynamics and personal triumphs with 'The Clock's Message.' Follow Ms. Miranda as she gracefully navigates the challenges of her workplace, deftly managing the antics of her boss, Mr. Allen. This tale unfolds with a perfect blend of suspense, humor, and unexpected turns, providing a vivid portrayal of the delicate balance between professional responsibilities and personal milestones.

As Mr. Allen challenges Miranda with a demanding ultimatum, tensions rise, revealing the intricate interplay of power dynamics within the office. Miranda's unwavering commitment to honesty and integrity becomes a central theme, setting the stage for a narrative filled with twists and revelations.

In this intricately woven narrative, 'The Clock's Message' explores the complexities of statistics management, showcasing the dangers of joking with numbers and the profound impact of seemingly mundane decisions. Miranda's dedication to her role as a guardian of the department becomes evident, adding layers of depth to the story.

The plot takes an unexpected turn as Miranda confronts a significant setback in the form of disappointing statistics. The narrative skillfully captures the essence of accountability and the challenges of facing the consequences of others' mistakes. The clash between professional duty and personal principles becomes palpable, creating a compelling storyline that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Amidst the professional turmoil, 'The Clock's Message' introduces a delightful subplot surrounding Miranda's personal life. The revelation of her upcoming silver wedding anniversary becomes a focal point, adding a touch of warmth and humanity to the narrative. The office environment transforms into a backdrop for celebrations, discussions, and unexpected revelations, providing a refreshing contrast to the seriousness of workplace challenges.

With its rich character development and engaging storytelling, 'The Clock's Message' is a masterfully crafted narrative that explores the intricate dance between work and life. Dive into this captivating tale that skillfully combines office intrigues, statistical challenges, and the personal triumphs of Ms. Miranda, creating an unforgettable reading experience filled with humor, suspense, and relatable moments."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ricardo Almeida
• Release date: Nov 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223955221

Book preview

Table of Contents

Intrigues in the Office (contos, #1)

The boss looked meaningfully at the wall clock, which was the main decoration of his office.

Mr. Allen made this gesture brightly and expressively, intending to leave the visitor

in a state of shock or confusion, but Ms. Miranda had long grown accustomed to such antics

from her boss.

She smiled and apologized in a conciliatory tone.

Mr. Allen, please don't be angry with me.

I know I was supposed to submit the report yesterday, but the data just didn't come together

for me.

The boss didn't want to back down so easily.

Trying to be intimidating, he deliberately stretched his words and said,

I expected setbacks from anyone but you.

Ms. Miranda, you have always been a reliable shield of our department.

And I can't even imagine what could make you change your principles.

Not a muscle twitched on the woman's face, and her smile continued to convey a positive

message to her interlocutor.

Mr. Allen, you know that even an old woman can make a mistake.

Technology can be wrong, and I am just an ordinary woman.

The boss interrupted.

You women, representatives of the fairer sex, love to boast about your weakness, and we

fall for this trick willingly, suffering for it.

Although men are much weaker than you, by the way, world statistics confirm this fact.

And you, my dear Miranda, and I are part of this wonderful professional community.

The boss spoke so convincingly that the woman was filled with the grandeur of his speech

and even straightened her shoulders.

Over the years of working in statistics management, she had firmly grasped the main rule, joking

with numbers is dangerous.

But the boss was waiting, and she had to explain the reason for the delay.

As always, you are right.

I am proud to be entrusted with such a high honor, overseeing the life of our city.

You said it well.

Just one correction, we are not only happy for our city, but for the entire region.

That's why the importance of our work increases exponentially.

The boss was satisfied.

Now he could present even the most ridiculous arguments as an excuse, but Ms. Miranda had

never been good at lying since childhood.

That's why she confessed honestly.

I understand the responsibility, so I won't submit the form with an error, although I

could have.

I decided to inform you.

The data didn't match up right here.

The woman pointed with a pencil to a column of numbers in the report generated by the

computer, and the boss looked at her in astonishment.

There's no error here?

Miranda couldn't help but notice the disappointing figures.

She recalculated them three times, thinking there might have been a glitch in the system.

The man rubbed his temples in frustration.

Whose fault is it that our numbers have dropped so significantly compared to last quarter?

We won't be praised for such results.

You've certainly noticed it correctly.

I double-checked the reports we received from the companies yesterday, and it was the agricultural

sector that let us down.

Their losses exceeded the permissible limits, she replied.

Did you inform the management?

Mr. Allen asked.

It's not within my jurisdiction, Mr. Allen.

The boss started rubbing his temples more intensely.

Exactly.

We shouldn't interfere in someone else's mess, I'll have to take the blame.

Oh, how difficult it is.

I can already imagine the governor's angry face.

But it's not our fault.

Let the responsible parties answer for their mistakes.

Why explaining that to them that were not involved?

The officials always look for a scapegoat, and statisticians are the perfect targets.

The boss pondered for a moment, tapping his pencil on the desk.

It wasn't a pleasant sound, but Miranda endured it for the sake of their work.

To expedite the decision-making process, she offered her suggestion.

It seems to me, Mr. Allen, we should inform the mayor and let him decide what to do with

the statistics.

The boss glanced at his watch again.

Well, we'll have to do exactly that, even though I don't want to.

I feel sorry for our mayor, he's a good man, business-oriented, and responsible.

But we have no right to set him up.

The chief contemplated for a couple more minutes, this time without tapping the pencil, then

picked up the telephone receiver.

Alright, Miranda, you can relax for now.

I'll try to get through to the mayor.

She started dialing the reception number, and she, trying not to make any noise, left

the boss's office.

Ms. Miranda was confident that there was a lot of work happening in her department,

but as soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she heard suspicious noise.

What are they up to in there?

This exclamation of outrage echoed through the long corridor.

There were many jokes circulating about the size of this room, most of them not entirely

decent.

But all the employees knew from their own experience that the long corridor was perfect

for relieving stress and other negative emotions.

According to various estimates, the distance ranged from 80 to 100 steps, which was quite

considerable.

As Miranda approached the source of the noise, her anger dissipated, but to maintain her