One finger extends, while one finger from the other hand rotates around in mock orbit, and he is making his point again...
This finger is me, the one revolving around it is the world. The quicker you realise this the easier it will be for us to work together.
Obscenities roll around my head like pin balls, as I rub my hand across my face to keep them from surfacing. My fingers work into the soft flesh around tired eyes, ending in a pinch at the bridge of my nose, feigning thought..
Why do I put up with this?, my subconscious pleads for an unspoken answer.
His eyes probe my feeble facade, a growing impatience bubbling behind them with teeth baring menace, to match the coy smile curling his tight lips, begging me to just say something...
You know, I've had enough..., vehemence trembles along the pitch of my voice.
Blood drains from the soft tissue of his cheeks, leaving the ghostly pallor of shock in its wake. His voice, the slow whine of a pierced balloon, follows me to the door...Come back here!
Not today, a hushed whisper to the man in the mirror, as I click off the light.
____
I had a boss once that did the finger trick mentioned here, I guess we can be a little less obvious, or honest with ourselves....at times.
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61 comments:
The important thing is that you are in charge. You turn out the light and you walk away.
I suspect it's pretty active inside your head sometimes.. most times. Great post. Thank you. :)
And that is when you introduce one of your own fingers.
They think they have you by the short hairs in this economy especially. To walk away without lighting a match behind you is huge. Great reenactment, Brian.
Almost thought this was a "Threshold" entry!
Nice piece.
Oh this reminded me of my last boss...I had to take deep breaths just to keep from exploding and one time she said, "Why are you breathing like that? Is it really that hard to talk to me?" - Silence.
much love
Oh I had a boss like that too...but he carried a gun...but then so did I...don't know who was in the most danger. Liked this entry quite a lot.
Sandi
I detest people that think they own you and you should react like a little dog begging for more. Glad you walked out the door...I felt the anguish while you pinched your nose...argh...
You always no when to walk away from a job, but from other things it is a little harder.
Revolt is a good word for what you did. Revolting is a good word for the so-called boss.
You should have given him a show of what yoru fingers can do.
So you've begun talking to yourself, hummmmmm?
only on good days angelmay...lol.
otin, nice thought...and i agree.
techno, too true...
hilary, lol...yep...
cabo and wings....hmmm....
jeff, its coming...
monkey....this economy does have its dark side....
stacey..i feel your pain...
sandi...ty....
alicia...me too...
I'm with Bonnie.
me too...smiles.
I do not miss my old boss. I left just in time. She's making my old co-workers pay for the $100.00 bill she lost. I'd be livid if I had to pay for her mistake. She's an idiot and I'll probably give her the finger if I ever see her again.
Great description brian. Highlighting mannerisms like the finger trick sets them out in relief and you see them properly for the first time.
there is one good thing about owning your own business....
you know, most lawyers think they are the center of the universe. but not many actually have the balls to say that out loud or with a straight face :)
"Obscenities roll around my head like pin balls"
I will remember that the next I have similar thoughts. They come around now and then.
Great post!
I'm a wuss and I've never told a boss or co-worker off. But I wanted to.....
I'm non-confrontational in real life. In my head, I can tell people off like Julia Sugarbaker.
I agree with Otin, sometimes it's difficult to walk away from certain things. With me, I almost always know when to leave a job. Great piece!
One of my favorites of yours. Your choice of words was quite delicious my friend.
"Not today." Oh I love this piece so much. Some times we not only have to draw a line for others but ourselves as well.
Hey Brian,
the funny part - i was pinching the bridge of my nose when i read the first few lines. broke in a smile :)
the last reference to the man in the mirror was really hard hitting.
i will come back for more of your work.
PS: take a look at my blog whenever u have some free time :)
Fun piece, Brian. Very cool zinger.
Beautifully written post! I could feel your emotions while reading it!
Been there, done that. Sometimes bosses are just plain miserable.
Great job.
jj
Thanks for the visit. I've had a marvelous time exploring your blog. I appreciate you leading me here! All the best!
Most certainly...does it not indicate finger (him/self) world circling around finger (him/self)...ugh! i'd probably show him my finger and walk out :)
and his other hand held a coffee cup...yea i've had plenty of coffe cup mgrs.
...hope i don't start channeling too.
I have been lucky enough never to experience the sentiment you describe here. I guess it must be difficult to know when to walk away in situations like this.
Zuzana
to know when to walk away...
WellBrian, you know my current predicament where I am loved by one and hated by another. I don't get the circing finger, just the accusatory glance and silent treatment. Then I retreat to the other end of the building to my five men who are appreciative and sweet. I have buit a teflon coating and it's giving the troll bitch the shits! Good.
Too many bosses where I work and they can all sod off! I do my job( not what the ywant me to do but what I think is a better way ) and ignore them, much as I ignore my own mirror image...
Nice post.. bosses are a nightmare
Kate x
We can't be stoic all the time, so walk away...I love this Brian, you are wow so talented
It is truly amazing what goes on behind a 'poker' face. -J
So you're the man in the mirror. I always wondered who that chap was.
I had a boss once that always said "floormat" instead of format...We never figured out if this was an attempt at humor, or he was just stupid...
I had plenty of bosses like that...I finally figured out there was a more entertaining way then to quit.
well handled! kudos!!!
There are those that think the world revolves around them and there are those that know when to walk away...sometimes it takes a lot of character and courage to do so.
I am also with Bonnie! but what stands out the most, Brian, is your excellent writing!
*smiles*
Calli
I just had a boss thing about an hour ago. I can't believe I haven't quit. I am so tempted.
Yes, We Have No Bananas
OMG . . . You've inspired me . . . I think I'll write a post about some of my old bosses . . .
Brian, will comment on your post here later when i can take the time to really read it thoroughly and savour it, but just to say here now, that I am THRILLED you are going to give it a go and do a doodle for it! Excellent. The idea is more to do something as a community and inspire/encourage each other than have to create something so good that one never starts!
But, Brian, please sign up with Mr. Linky Link now and then let me know when you have your art posted so I can link your name on the side bar, as well as be sure to mention it on the Dec. 29th write up. Thank you so much.
I tend to swallow a lot of what I'd like to say to people but once in a while I snap. That ain't pretty.
What a gem of a boss...I'm always surprised at how people like this get promoted.
Glad to hear he's an ex boss.
Very impressive. I'd have cowered, I think. But for a while I'll pretend I am you and walk away. And turn out the light.
I am finally finding my way over to your blog. Please excuse my tardiness. I have found that I am going to have to bring my thinking cap when I come over here.
the best work comes from mutual respect, that boss obviously didn;t get it!!
The finger thing would have so made me quit whatever job that was. You know, unless I made super good money.
Again, I love your writing... very indepth thinking go on here. Its amazing what the human mind can contain and yet at the drop of a dime can be so fragile as to go into a state of confusion getting stuck in paradigms that are hard to escape....
The Bach
That person looking back at us from the mirror can be such a hard task master.
Brian,
I have left more jobs than I can count on one hand because of awful bosses, awful Doctors and bullies.
It is so sad...they have caused many good, hard, productive workers to leave because of their micromanaging and bullying. Why doesn't their Boards see this and notice this?
Bosses like that are the worst. My sister has a boss just like that. I love the inner monologue :)
Aren't we hardest on ourselves? Don't we seem to offer the least grace to us?
Sighs ....
Some of my best conversations are in the mirror like this.
As always, well done!
Brian,
Got your email, but on the road, my laptop is acting up and I can't send out emails...I am getting them, but only can send out on Facebook and Blogger....anyway...thanks for asking about my vacation..it has been warm finally here, but rain or fog most of the time. But in the U.P. they are getting blizzards with high winds so we are considering ourselves blessed to be here. ha I am loving seeing my daughter, so that is the most important thing. We are a little scared of trying to make it home on Sunday...hope we can fly into Detroit and then on to the U.P. IF the storms are over by then.
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