Snakes and Ladders, Part 3

SNAKES & LADDERS
by BlackBladder
PART THREE

"No - it's not that basket." Mandy said softly, taking the envelope from
Gabrielle and placing it on the plain desk beside other mail.  

"That envelope is for the Laboratories."  Mandy iterated as she compiled the
mail and walked out of the Mailroom, with Gabrielle following.

It was now three days into Gabrielle's first ever job, and she had been
paired with Mandy who would carry out the relevant training.  She had grown
fairly familiar with the daily ritual of handing out the internal mail to the
busy departments.  Despite her disappointment, Gabrielle reasoned that she
should try to get on with the people she was now working with.  Due to
working with Mandy in the last two days, she also picked up on the other
signs of a telltale smoker; her bony fingers were slightly yellow and she
could definitely detect a constant smell of smoke on her clothing after her
breaks.  She discovered that Mandy would go out for some `fresh air' at all
her breaks in the cold of winter.  Despite Gabrielle's intrigue, she spent
her free time at breaks with the other staff of the Mailroom, who seemed
unaware of Mandy's smoking.   The big mystery still remained of where Mandy
would go and smoke as the Non-smoking Policy existed.  No mention of Mandy's
smoking came up as conversation as yet as Gabrielle was unsure of what the
reaction would be.  Plus, Gabrielle was aware that awareness of Mandy smoking
with the Policy operating could cause problems.  Although Gabrielle reasoned
Mandy and her would not ever be best friends, she did want to get on at a
working level with her new colleague.  

"This is marked for Dr Paterson - he is the Unit Manager." Mandy stated as
they walked into the Laboratories Department of Head Office.  

The two girls walked past signs stating `RESTRICTED - UNIT STAFF ONLY'.
Although the Laboratories were on the Mailrun, Gabrielle had never seen past
the doors leading into the heart of the Unit itself.  As they entered the
department, Gabrielle witnessed a frenzy of activity as men in white suits
were pre-occupied using computers and using test-tubes.  Gabrielle smiled as
the scene reminded her of her days doing Chemistry.

"Just through that door, Gabrielle - knock first." Mandy handed Gabrielle the
envelope, and pointed to a wooden door ahead of them.  Gabrielle tred slowly
towards the door before knocking.  

"Come In."

Sighing relief, Gabrielle opened the door and entered the small room.  She
could see two men standing and looking straight at her.   She guessed the
small, chubby man sitting down in a white coat was the recipient of her
envelope.  The other man was tall, slim and smirked at the nervous Mailroom
Assistant.

"Mr Paterson?"   Gabrielle asked nervously.

"Yes - the mail for me?"  The Unit Manager said as Gabrielle placed the
envelope on his desk.

"You haven't met me yet - My name is Mr Bolan - but you can call me Dale."
The other man said boldly.  He extended his hand in friendship and Gabrielle
reluctantly shook.

"I am the Assistant Manager of this corporation.  Have the staff been
treating you well?"

"Yeh, it's been pretty good.  I am loving it here." Gabrielle lied.

"Sorry, what's your name?"  Dale asked.

"I am Gabrielle Dolton."  

"Oh - you related to Mrs Anita Dolton?  Small world, eh?"  Dale laughed.

"I am - her stepdaughter, Dale." Gabrielle muttered in reply, maintaining a
smile whilst cursing about this jackass inside.

"How is your father - the grand creator of this great Empire?  Is he ready to
come back yet?" Dale inquired unapologetically.

"He is still in hospital - he is not out of the woods yet.  Doctors are still
monitoring him."  Gabrielle replied.

"You know, Anita is really concerned for your father.  Everyone here at Ikair
wish him a speedy recovery."  Dale sighed.

After an uncomfortable silence, Gabrielle left Paterson's office and met up
with Mandy.

"You ok?" Mandy asked, chewing on a mint.

"Yeah."

"I hope you don't mind, but I couldn't help overhearing about you and Mrs
Dolton.  That must be great working with familiar faces like your family at
your workplace.  Did you know Anita started off working in the Mailroom?
It's in the Employee Documentation for Managers."  Mandy smiled.

If only she really knew, Gabrielle thought.

As they returned to the Mailroom to unpack the mail received, they found
themselves alone.  Gabrielle found that Mandy could talk comfortably on an
interpersonal basis.  Since joining, Gabrielle tried to help Mandy be more
confident in talking with people - a skill she lacked in Gabrielle's opinion.
They even managed to share a few jokes recently, as they got to know each
other slightly better.  

"So you got any secrets?" Mandy asked whilst setting up the Franking Machine.

"Some.  I'll only tell if you tell me yours."  Gabrielle smiled back as she
removed envelopes from a container.  

After a small period of thought, Mandy nodded, pressing a button on the
Machine as it growled to life.  Mandy sat down beside the machine and faced
Gabrielle.

"Everyone in here thinks me and Anita get on great - we don't!" Gabrielle
said as she continued to work.

"Despite now working at the same place, we lead very separate lives at home.
We don't really talk because I think she has taken my Dad for a ride!"

Mandy was very surprised at this accusation.

"Anita met my Dad when he was still manager here - at the time, she was
working in the Marketing Unit here.  Just look at the age gap - 25 years!  I
reckon Anita is a golddigger - using my Dad to get to where she wants to go.
The worst thing about it is my Dad is so blind to this.  He still thinks she
is now running his corporation through merit.  Did you know it was Anita's
fault that my Dad is now in hospital?  Anita and me were fighting as usual at
home when my Dad collapsed, clutching his chest, through the stress.  I have
tried to tell him that she is no good for him nor the business, but he won't
listen."  Gabrielle said, whilst sitting beside Mandy as the machine
continued to purr.

"The only reason I am here is because a deal was made between me and my Dad
before Anita came along - if I achieved my academics, he would give me my
first break at Ikair for a career.  This is probably the last thing Anita
wants, but to hell with her - this is my Dad's business - not hers!"
Gabrielle complained as Mandy listened intrigued.

"You won't say anything, will you?" Gabrielle asked as Mandy pondered her
thoughts on the confession.

"Your secret is safe with me.  It's almost lunchtime.  I bet you're hungry."
Mandy said, swiftly changing subjects.

"But you haven't told me your secret yet, Mandy?" Gabrielle asked, slightly
annoyed that Mandy was trying to avoid returning the favour.

Suddenly, Alice and Jake entered the Mailroom as Mandy seemed to be saved by
her employees unwittingly.  

As the staff donned their coats to go to the canteen, Gabrielle had an idea.

The workers walked out of the Mailroom as Gabrielle and Mandy checked their
bags.

"I fancy a bit of fresh air today for a change.  I'll join you on your lunch
break-?" Gabrielle asked, feigning innocence as she knew Mandy would have to
expose her smoking secret to her.  

"No you don't want to join me - it is really cold this time of year.  It
ain't very exciting." Mandy said, hoping to shake off Gabrielle's thirst for
her true whereabouts.

"Honestly Mandy, I want to get to know you better.  I wanna spend some time
with my favourite work colleague!"  Gabrielle stated loudly.

Feeling embarrassed, Mandy made no comment as the two workers walked out of
the Staff Exit Door towards the Car Park-

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