"Accuracy Counts"

“Accuracy Counts”

    Joe’s new alarm clock blasted away, as he rolled over, opening one eye. A huge violet-blue 6:00 am was sprawled across the ceiling. It was almost obscene. Damn! Was it another day already?

    He stumbled toward the kitchen and found the coffee hadn’t been made yet. Man! After turning on the manual setting, he grabbed some juice and waited. Finally, Joe gulped down his coffee and poured another cup, heading for the shower. Crap! Now he would have to buy another coffee pot. So much for his automatic coffee system that Jean, his secretary, had given him for Christmas. He would have to send her out for another coffee pot today. She’ll feel bad and wished she had bought me a better one. You get what you pay for, Jean! Hadn’t he taught her anything?

    Jean had scheduled a meeting for 10 am with the Reliable Clock Company. They were one of his top clients. He was given their deluxe atomic alarm clock just yesterday. It had everything! Among its many features, it gave the weather, time zone select for anywhere in the world, indoor and outdoor temperature and out door sensor. The automatic projection focus was the best. No matter how bleary-eyed or hung over he may become, he would always be able to read the time. He was going to ask for another one for his mother. It would make a great Christmas present.

    Looking out the kitchen window, he grabbed his umbrella. The sun wasn’t going to show his face today. He wanted to get back in to bed for a few more hours of sleep. He was still tired and couldn’t understand it.
    He walked outside to grab the paper, before backing out the car.  Shit! No paper! Doesn’t anyone do their job anymore? If they paid attention, they’d learn. They’d be more committed, be on time. Time was of the essence in every thing accomplished by man.

    After parking in his special parking space, Joe hurried to his office building. The security guard gave him a strange look as he proceeded toward the elevator. 
    “Is it going to rain today, Mr. Johnson?”
    “That’s why I brought my umbrella, Dennis.”
    Dennis laughed and shook his head, as Joe climbed into the elevator. He was the only one on the elevator as it rose to the fifth floor.
    Joe stepped out and was confronted by the loud noise of a sweeper. He signaled to George, pointing to his watch to hurry it up. George looked somewhat puzzled as he continued his work.
    Everybody was running late this morning. He’d have to call another meeting. He opened the blinds and wondered when it was going to start raining. He hoped it would be over and done with before the day was out. He liked to plan his day. His mother raised him to be conscientious and on time. 
    Jean hadn’t arrived yet and he was growing impatient with her. She knows they will have to go over their notes before the meeting. Besides, he wanted another cup of coffee. He picked up the phone and called the newspaper.
    “Why don’t you people deliver my newspaper on time?” He slammed down the phone, not caring to hear what their excuses were.
    He turned on the morning news. He sat listening for the weather when George appeared.
    “You’re in awful early, Mr. Johnson. You must have a lot of work to do today?”
      “I’m always early, George. However, you are usually done by the time I get in.”
    There was another strange look from George as he laughed and walked away. Joe just shook his head, wondering if anyone still had pride on getting things done on time. Turning back to the television he heard:
    “And now for your morning news:  It will be another spectacular sunny day for all you commuters out there. It is 6:15 and the sun is rising as we speak. Joe’s body jerked as he looked out his office window and watched the bright sun appear above the tall buildings.  He glanced at his watch which read 6:l5 am.
He checked his cell phone. It too, read 6:15 am.  But I got up at 6 am!
    Joe’s face was red as he realized his new clock must have been set for Pacific Time.

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