The Nervous Assistant

It’s his first day on the job and one jealous employee hopes it’s his last.

Jason Coleman reported for his first day as assistant clerk to Senior Partner Alan Klesser with sweaty palms and a determination not to make a single mistake. Every file, every phone call, every instruction felt like a test he couldn’t afford to fail.
Across the office, Brady watched with simmering resentment. He had wanted the position himself. Smiling politely, he leaned over and whispered, “Mr. Klesser needs file #4381 immediately.”
Jason nodded anxiously. “Where would I find it?”
“The basement,” Brady replied. “That’s where the overflow documents are stored.”
Jason hurried downstairs. The heavy file-room door suspiciously slammed behind him. He grabbed the handle, but it refused to budge. Trapped, he sighed. If he couldn’t escape, he might as well keep searching.
Dust coated endless shelves. Hours disappeared as he examined forgotten boxes. Then, inside a neglected carton, he uncovered financial ledgers, hidden correspondence, and signed statements connecting several executives to a million-dollar fraud.
Finally, someone opened the basement door and stared in disbelief.
Jason raced upstairs and entered Alan Klesser’s office.
“Sir, I’m sorry. I couldn’t find file #4381.”
Alan frowned. “That’s because it doesn’t exist. Our filing system uses six-digit numbers.”
Jason carefully placed the dusty documents on the desk. “But I found these. They might help with the million-dollar fraud case you’re prosecuting.”
Alan scanned the evidence, his eyes widening.
“Outstanding work!” he shouted before pressing the intercom. “Brady, my office.”
Brady arrived wearing an eager grin.
“I need you to do a sandwich run,” Alan said. “Jason and I will be working late. He just found the evidence that’ll win this case.”
Brady’s smile vanished. It was the last workplace prank he ever pulled, although he finally got promoted to basement file room organizer.
Jason recommended him!
WC 290