Laura watched him walk out the door, and then quickly took another swallow. The room was starting to spin and the elevator was closer than the sofa, so she walked in, pushed the button, and went upstairs to put herself to bed.
*
Maggie couldn't wait to talk to Bronco8881. She bought macaroni salad at the grocery store deli, hurried across the street to her apartment, and went in. She pushed the bolt in place, quickly shoved the wedges under the door, tossed her purse on the bed, and got a spoon out of the drawer. Next, she recovered her laptop from behind the stove and once more set it up.
Sissy3211: Nicole asked Jim to take the manager position.
Bronco8881: Hello to you too.
Sissy3211: Very well, hello.
Bronco8881: You are upset, I take it.
Sissy3211: It was horrible. She asked him in front of everyone and he turned her down. I wish you could have seen the look on her face. I doubt anyone has ever turned her down before.
Bronco8881: I wish I could have too.
Sissy3211: Jim is pretty sure he will get fired now.
Bronco8881: I am afraid he might be right.
Sissy3211: She wouldn't take his first 'no' for an answer and kept insisting he accept. It was humiliating for us all. At least we didn't fail her stupid test.
Bronco8881: Stupid test?
Sissy3211: Haven't I told you about those?
Bronco8881: I don't think so.
Sissy3211: We have the worst possible computer software in the world that has technical names for everything, plus, we have to know all kinds of rules and regulations. She gives us a test every week. If we don't get all the answers right, you can bet the next meeting will be about the same thing.
Bronco8881: Sounds dreadful.
Sissy3211: More than dreadful - it is frightful. Did I tell you about Susan?
Austin was surprised and pleasantly so. She seemed so much more talkative and relaxed since he sent her the picture of him.
Bronco8881: Is that the one with the eyelash problem?
Maggie took the lid off her salad and put a spoonful of macaroni in her mouth before she typed her answer.
Sissy3211: Yes. What a sad creature she is. She is single with two children and calls her mother at least once a week asking for money.
Bronco8881: Some single mothers need money.
Sissy3211: Yes, but I've heard her plead relentlessly until her mother gives in. She says her mother is rich and is just being selfish.
Bronco8881: Not a very nice way to treat your mother.
Sissy3211: Some mothers deserve it.
Bronco8881: True.
Sissy3211: Know what else she does?