Early Clock-Out
“Figures out of the Bureau Labor of Statistics this morning confirmed that unemployment in California rose 3% from last quarter, up to 17% as of the end of June this year, to a level unseen since the early 2070s.”
Two fingers rapped the table twice to signal to the computer to close all windows. One of the fingers tapped the tabletop again after it swiped across the wood surface over to the “Save” button. The windows dismissed themselves, leaving only the desktop wallpaper.
“Sacramento was reportedly concerned that lowered tax revenues may place the state government into a heavy deficit as soon as this winter.”
Hands with the palms down swept across the physical desktop, and the display shut itself off. They reached for handle on the drawer underneath, and pulled it open.
“San Francisco officials gave an update this morning regarding the renovation of the consolidated city-county’s City Hall. The project, which saw a massive demolition and revitalizing of the southwest corner, is scheduled to open to the public this winter.”
The turn counter-clockwise detached the lens from the body. He placed the two components in a drawer that was drawn with a sliding gesture on his touch-sensitive faux wood desk. The pieces returned to their own little sections flanked by other modules, after which the box is pushed back into the desk, ending with a small click.
“Governor of California Jerry Stanton addressed the media in a press conference alongside San Francisco Mayor Eric Whitaker.”
He shifted with a little unease in the office chair as he stared out through the floor-to-ceiling windows that is directly in front of him.
“We’ve been working tirelessly for five years. It’s going to be a watershed cultural shift not just for one of our biggest cities, but for California, for this upcoming century. I know, this is a little inopportune, but as soon as we come back economically, this will be our monument to the future.”
He exhaled.
“In other news, pro-localist Bearist Association of California concluded its two-week statewide conference in San Diego. A mass demonstration was held in the city shortly after the seminar, which closed this morning at eleven. President of the Association, Dalton Percher, remarked at the event that Californian resolve has never been stronger and this will prove to be a pivotal year for California.”
The voice became quieter and quieter until it went silent as the fingers turned a virtual dial projected onto the table all the way down.
He rose as the hydraulics in his chair pushed him slightly. The second push, and he slung the black windbreaker over the shoulder atop the electric blue shirt. The hand reached for the door, and it slid open dutifully as the fingers made contact.
He glanced at the girl in the green jacket behind the desk in the studio space with the same window behind her. An empty reception desk next to a roundtable with four chairs separated him and her across the floor.
“I know you’re worried about San Francisco. They are coming with personnel changes, but they are moving someone in to work with us. Not out.”
“I’m not worried.”
“But is she?”
“I believe we think the same. No time to lose your job.”
“And you’ll have to turn the keys to the house back to San Francisco. I get it. Don’t worry.”
Alex’s eyelids fluttered as he stared at the ground as he put a hand behind as head. Irene looked on.
“The meetup’s tonight, don’t you forget it, Alex.” Her eyes darted up at some form of realization. “Right. Angel’s not here right now.”
“You have word for her?”
“Yeah, tell her my excursion to San Francisco might be on hold. Should be safe to strike that off the schedule for now.”
“Any confirmation from the office there?”
“Their secretary, receptionist, whomever— she gave me the ‘yeah, let’s cancel, but hold tight.’”
“Alright. See you tonight.”