Snakes and Ladders, Part 4

SNAKES & LADDERS
by BlackBladder
PART FOUR
    

Gabrielle followed with intrigue as Mandy led them both to a small, derelict
building.  As a breeze blew through, Gabrielle noticed the cameras
surrounding the Head Office.  Ikair appeared huge and intimidating as they
walked across to the small building within the Office Car Park.  

Mandy halted at the entrance and faced her colleague - her eyes looking
towards the ground.

"OK -  I smoke - that is my big secret." Mandy whispered.

"But why?"  Gabrielle replied, feigning shock as the smoking habit was
revealed.

"Because it calms me.  I can only relax when I smoke.  Please don't give me a
hard time about it. You can go and have your lunch with Alice now."  Mandy
said, her cheeks turning red with shame.

Whilst the confirmation of Mandy as a smoker was revolting to Gabrielle, she
felt sorry for her workmate.  

"It's OK.  I don't like the habit myself, but I respect you for who you are.
I won't tell a soul.  Don't turn me away now.  I really mean it when I said I
want to get to know you."  Gabrielle pleaded, realising she may have taken
her joke with Mandy too far.

With no comment, Gabrielle followed Mandy inside the building away from the
cold breeze.  The building was an old Archive Garage - which was shut down as
some of Ikair's services moved to other parts of the world.  Now the building
was utilised as an area for keeping old equipment.  However, the only staff
who visited the Archive Garage was the Cleaners on a Nightshift basis -
helping clear redundant parts/files from the Head Office Building itself.

Upon entering the building, Gabrielle was greeted by an abundance of
cigarette smoke.  Peering into the darkness she could notice five workers -
three women, two men - sucking endlessly on their cigarettes.  However, they
all tried to hide their cigarettes behind their backs with Gabrielle entering
the unguarded premises.  

"It's OK - Gabrielle knows and won't tell anyone."  Mandy reassured.

Instantly, the hiding workers sighed relief as they returned the cigarettes
to their mouths, desperate to feed their nicotine-coated lungs.  Although
appalled by the site of many people sucking their lives away, Gabrielle was
more appalled about the conditions they were hiding in.  

"Would you like one?"  One of the smokers asked, extending their pack of
cigarettes to Gabrielle.  

"No thanks."  Gabrielle declined as politely as possible.

"Don't you ever get cold in here?"  Gabrielle rubbed her hands together to
generate some heat.

"We don't worry about the cold too much - as long as we can have our smokes -
they are all that matter."  Another smoker stated.

Gabrielle heard the click of a lighter and turned round to see Mandy light a
cigarette in desperation.  With her cheeks caving in, she closed her eyes,
leant back against the wall - basking in the initial drag.  Pursing her lips
and staring at the damp ceiling, a cone of smoke escaped into the cold air.  

"I needed that.  Please don't tell anyone."  Mandy stated purposely to
Gabrielle, with smoke leaking as she spoke.

Gabrielle watched Mandy and the other smokers with horror and curiosity as
they filled their lungs with nicotine.  Gabrielle relaxed more after Mandy
formally introduced her to the fellow smokers of the group.  She recognised
some of the smokers there - they were quiet people she would see whilst
delivering mail between departments.   After further discussion, Gabrielle
discovered that the Archive House was the only place that smokers came to
feed their habits.  For the first time, she realised they weren't much
difference between conversations with smokers and non-smokers.  The smokers,
including Mandy, seemed very friendly and chatty once the awkward
introduction had passed.

"I know it sounds cheesy, but we are the last of our kind at Ikair."  Mandy
said, reaching for another cigarette.

"How come?"  Gabrielle sat as she ate her sandwiches.

"Since Mrs Dolton took over from Mr Dolton, she has enforced and encouraged
this anti-smoking stance with all the staff.  All the smokers of the recent
past were fired on the spot.  No negotiations - just showed the door.  We are
the only ones here that still smoke.  She's got us running scared."  June,
another smoker, said whilst stubbing out her latest butt violently.  The
other smokers shook their heads in disapproval.

Gabrielle was shocked at the smokers being treated like second-rate citizens,
and her own pre-conceptions of smoking had changed.  She felt pity for every
smoker.  

They are honest hard workers, nice people to talk to----.this is all Anita's
fault! - Gabrielle muttered to herself as she and Mandy made their way back
to the Mailroom-

   
"Dad--"  a familiar voice echoed through his mind.  Benjamin slowly opened
his eyes, squinting at the brightness of the white ceiling panel lights
burning overhead.  

"You are awake!" the familiar voice exclaimed excitedly.

Benjamin sat up on his bed, looking at his smiling daughter sitting on a
chair beside him.  

"How you feeling, Dad?"  

"Like shit."  Benjamin joked slightly.  Gabrielle knew this response meant he
felt fine - the statement was part of a rapport they had.

Benjamin and Gabrielle had always been close, further more when his wife Anna
divorced him.  Benjamin felt guilty that his only daughter grew up half her
childhood life without a mother.  Then Anita came along - a ray of sunshine,
Benjamin thought.  Benjamin first met Anita when he was still manager of
Ikair.  Anita had joined the organisation as a receptionist - and had soon
caught Benjamin's eye with her welcoming smile.  There was an age gap between
the pair - 15 years - but that never stopped them dating.  Thanks to
Benjamin's `influence', Anita made a transition from reception to other
higher departments of the optical services empire.  When Benjamin suffered
his heart attack, Anita was assistant manager - she was a natural choice to
take over.  Benjamin was aware of his daughter's opposition to his new
girlfriend from the start, but hoped over time girlfriend and daughter would
bond.   

"So how are you finding it at Ikair?"  Benjamin inquired.

"It is pretty good, actually.  I've made some new friends--.the work itself
is not too bad."  Gabrielle responded.

"Which section you working in?"

"The Mailroom - It's really quiet in there."  Gabrielle admitted.

"Are you and Anita getting on any better?"  Benjamin asked, hoping for some
progress.

"Listen Dad, I told you before -  we are very different people - we just
don't get on.  When was the last time Anita came to visit you?"

"Anita is busy at Ikair---.Being the manager can be very time-consuming.  She
called me yesterday."  Benjamin suggested, knowing too well it had been a
while since his wife had seen him.

"There is something I need to talk to you about."  Gabrielle said, sitting on
the edge of her chair.  

"Anita has enforced an Anti-Smoking Zero Tolerance Policy at Ikair.  From
what my sources tell me, most of the smokers who worked for you have been
sacked.  This isn't fair - they are being discriminated against."  Gabrielle
said sternly.

Benjamin was concerned with this news - He was a smoker years ago.  However,
he also knew that Gabrielle could be exaggerating with her bias against
Anita.

"It's not like you to speak out in defence of smokers - I remember the hard
times you gave me about my previous smoking."  Benjamin stated, trying to
defuse the situation.

"It might amaze you, but one of the new friends I made smokes.  This is where
I have got lots of information on what Anita is doing.  She is playing God
with worker's lives.  You should reconsider giving Anita ownership of Ikair."

"Listen-..I love Anita, Gabrielle.  Nothing you can do will change that.
Although I don't agree with this Anti-smoking rule, it will improve the
company's public image.  Nowadays, it is more popular to have a non-smoking
environment.  Finally, Anita has the knowledge, and my trust, for me to pass
on ownership.  I want you and Anita to work together and keep the
organisation going.  I have made my decision - it would take something major
for me to change my mind."

Benjamin began feeling disorientated and felt his heartbeat increase.  He lay
back on his bed as Gabrielle stood up with concern.  

"What's wrong?"  Gabrielle said, concerned.

"I'm---.just--..tired.  I need to sleep."  Benjamin forced a smile while
panting.  

Gabrielle returned her smile, and kissed him on his pale forehead before
leaving-

"Hey Gabrielle!  Over here!"  Ray shouted.

Gabrielle raised her hand to acknowledge his call, blushing slightly from
embarrassment.  

"You will be okay.  My friends are nice."  Gabrielle reassured Mandy, whom
she had asked to join her for a drink.

They both walked over to the table and Gabrielle introduced her new friend.
As they seated, Ray acquired drinks as the rest welcomed Mandy into their
group.   Ten minutes into conversation and hilarity, Mandy began to feel
cravings for nicotine - she hadn't smoked a cigarette since she left for The
Bunker.  Mandy knew better than to argue with her cravings - and
instinctively removed her pack of cigarettes and lighter from her handbag.
Suddenly, a wave of silence washed over the group as Gabrielle's friends all
looked at the offending pack in Gabrielle's hands.  They peered their eyes in
shock as  Mandy flipped back the lid of the box and extracted a cigarette.
Eventually, Ray decided to vent the group's anger.  

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"  

Mandy was stunned, now with the cigarette dangling and her finger on the
wheel of the lighter.  

"Hey Ray, if she wants to smoke, let her smoke - it's a free country."
Gabrielle said in defence.

"Since when did you change your tune?!"   Ray replied angrily.  The rest of
the group continued to stare down Mandy as if she was prey.

"Since I realised how smokers are treated - it's appalling.  You should all
be more open-minded." Gabrielle groaned.

"If you wanna smoke, Mandy, then move elsewhere.  Don't even think about
lighting that cigarette here!"  Sarah, another of Gabrielle's friends,
retorted.

"No Mandy - Don't you move anywhere!" Gabrielle demanded.

"If you are not willing to accept my friend for who she is, then you can all
go to hell!" Gabrielle continued, furious over the victimisation.

Ray and her friends all bowed their heads and folded their arms, signifying
that Gabrielle and Mandy were no longer welcome.  

Gabrielle, her cheeks red with anger, marched out of The Bunker - with Mandy
following.  

Standing outside The Bunker, both girls adopted different strategies to calm
down from the heated exchange of words in the bar.  Gabrielle leaned against
the wall, breathing deeply the winter cold air, reflecting on the poor
attitude of her former peers.  Meanwhile, Mandy gave in to her cravings by
lighting up her cigarette, pulling powerfully on the filter violently until
the ember illuminated red.  As Mandy removed the cigarette, she inhaled
sharply - a ball of smoke rolling down her windpipe hitting the starving
lungs for its feed.  As the injection of nicotine began surging through her
body, Mandy's posture relaxed.  She closed her eyes, pursed her lips, and
released a stream of smoke into the cold night air.  Gabrielle looked on as
the smoke filtered overhead.  

"Let's go - There is another bar nearby."  Gabrielle smiled as Mandy
continued to suck in the soothing cigarette-

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