Loading Zone (Socks CLXXXII)

"There's two more loads. Wanna help?"
The door closed, then opened. They picked up two boxes around the corner, and went back in. The door opened into a large, echoey room, full of cars. They went to where Megan was loading a van.
"I didn't expect you to be here. You going to help set up?"
"I don't think so. You two go ahead, I'll be down later."
Tim and Megan finished loading the van, talking to each other. Neither one talked to Grunter, and he didn't talk to them.
The van started and left, Grunter walked to the elevator.

Elevator Ride (Socks CLXXXI)

After Grunter hung up he went down the hall.
Stopping at a desk he asked, "Where is Megan and Tim?"
"They took some carts down to the garage a few minutes ago."
Grunter walked to a shiny door, and pushed a button. The door slid open. Grunter got on and pushed a button. The door closed.
Rar heard a "PPHHTT" sound, "What was that?"
"Take a guess," said Boxer, "If he sniffs..."
Grunter didn't sniff, so Boxer left him alone.
The door opened, Tim got on. "What the...Did you do that?"
"No it smelled like this when I got on."

Gotta Go (Socks CLXXX)

Megan stood, "If that's all, I'd like to get the presentation packed up. It's nine already, and lunch is at noon."
"She's right. That's just enough time to get to the Clarion and get set up. Remember what we said, don't take the credit for yourself."
Tim and Megan left, closing the door.
Grunter made a call, "Not much. I've got a presentation at noon, just waiting to go over."
*
"I can't, Gina wants to get together after."
*
"How's the old lady gonna catch me. It's a business meeting."
*
"Look, I just called to see if you caught Sports Center."

Strange Assumption (Socks CLXXIX)

Tim stood up, "Lets not start fighting just before today's meeting."
"That's right, Megan you should..."
"Hold it. I agree with everything Megan said, I just don't want the tension to show this afternoon."
No one spoke.
Tim sat back down, "Megan has worked her tail off on this project, so you better give her lots of credit today."
"Not just me, Tim was there every step of the way."
"Ok, I get it. You two get all the credit. What is this, a little hanky panky on the side?"
Tim and Megan both laughed, "Megan and I are cousins."

Stating Opinion (Socks CLXXVIII)

"What about Megan's reputation? What about mine?"
"But I'm responsible..."
"You probably should have been there for some of our late nights."
"When did you stay late."
"Two days last week, two the week before. One night Tim came over to my house, my husband entertained the kids while we worked."
"You should have told me."
"You have no idea how much work goes into a campaign like this."
"I've been here for five years."
"Yea, it amazes me that how you slid by for five years too."
"This is insubordination."
"I'm not refusing to work, just stating my opinion."

Pre-Meeting (Socks CLXXVII)

"Tim, you and Megan, come to my office. Ten minutes."
Grunter left his office, got a coffee, and came right back.
Tim walked in first, a few minutes later Megan came in.
"Frank wants to know if we're ready for this afternoon."
Silence.
"Well?"
"Almost."
"What does almost mean?"
"The presentation is done, but you haven't practiced it yet."
"I expected that you and Tim would present."
"Then I guess, we're ready."
"I want to watch your practice this morning."
"We stayed till midnight last night practicing. I don't think we'll practice today."
"But, my reputation is on the line."

The Fun Begins (Socks CLXXVI)

On the road this day, this Tuesday, Grunter's left foot tapped almost constantly. When the car wasn't moving, his right heal would tap. He couldn't seem to settle on a radio station. He blew the horn more than usual. He berated other drivers. He muttered after parking, and shut the engine off, stopping only when he opened the door and got out.
Pausing at the front desk, Grunter found no messages.
Frank came into Grunter's office even before he could sit down, asking if the presentation was ready. Grunter assured him it was. Frank left.
Grunter grabbed the phone immediately.