Glinda followed Jane through the maze of cubicles. Although
Jane had agreed to walk instead of fly, Glinda found it difficult to keep up.
Jane said, “This is where Battalion Squad Epsilon…”
Glinda shook her head, clicking her tongue until Jane
corrected herself.
“…Former Battalion Squad Epsilon now is stationed for
Operation Munchkin City Beautification ma’am.”
Glinda nodded and walked over to one of the cubicles and
cleared her throat until the winged monkey sitting at the desk typing stopped
to turn and look at her. He stood up and struck a salute.
“Ma’am. I trust you’ll find everything is in order.”
Glinda smiled, “No need for that, er…” she looked at the
name on the cubicle “…Jim. How is your lovely fern doing?”
Jim gave what he hoped was a convincing smile, praying she
didn’t look too closely at the plant. “It thrives ma’am.”
“Lovely! Jane, can we visit the meditation park now?”
“Do I have a choice?” she mumbled under her breath, but she
nodded and briskly marched off in the direction of the park with Glinda
prancing to keep up.
“Lucky break Jim,” Joe said as he walked to Jim’s cubicle.
“Don’t I know it! When that stupid plant bit it I had to
scramble to find a replacement? Do you know how much that damn munchkin fleeced
me for a fake fern?”
Janet poked her head up from the adjoining cubicle. “I’m
glad I’ve been able to keep mine alive, but it’s not looking too good.” She
looked around the office space at the ferns Glinda had issued them, all in
various states of distress. “I don’t know how much longer I can take this!”
“Do you want to end up like Jack?” Jim asked. They all
shuddered.
Jane came back in, without Glinda. “Good save on the fern
situation Jim.”
“Never mind that! Jane, tell me you’ve figured something
out,” Jim pleaded.
“I was so hoping the water bit would work again,” Joe said. They
all nodded, remembering that attempt had only resulted in her staging a revival
of Singing in the Rain.
Jane said “Not water, but I think I may be on to something.”
“What? What can stop her?”
Jane’s grin grew feral. “You think anyone can be that perky
naturally? Oh no, I got her number. Those munchkin bastards keep her rolling in
tributes of coffee beans. We find a way to decaffeinate those suckers and I think we’ll
be on our way to having things back the way they should be.”
The office erupted in happy hoots and yells until Glinda
came back in. Jane quickly explained to Glinda that everyone was cheering about
the plans proceeding well for the meditation park. Mollified she beamed at the
winged monkeys. “Yes you poor dears, soon you will have everything you’ve
longed for but could never have under the reign of that cruel, cruel witch!”
“Won’t that be lovely,” Jim said.
Song Choice: Nine to Five by Dolly Parton
