Shiftworld

Why did you do it Ted? You know what they could do to you."

"We never had this conversation, Bub, if one word gets out I'll call you a liar. Right to your face if need be."

"There's no need to talk to me like that Ted. I'd never rat you out."

"Bub, Price is so happy he doesn't care what happened. And Face? You saved his hide. Everything you needed was in place. A serious problem, management, and you risked nothing. Face asked for your help and the president of the company authorized it."

"But ..." I started to say.

"I'm dying Bub." Ted said, his back to me, pouring straight whiskey. "My heart; nothing they can do. I've got a few weeks, maybe a month."

All I heard was that my friend, my only friend, was dying. And in those words was the answer to my question. Ted did it for me. To leave me better off after he was gone because he would not be able to help me any more. Would not be able to protect me from the likes of Face.

"So you're a second shifter; better food, a warm place to live, maybe even a girl friend." Ted said, turning with the drinks.

Seeing the look on my face, the drinks forgotten, he put his hand on my shoulder saying, "Its Ok, Bub. Its Ok."

About the author:

Wayne's work has appeared in Smart Computing, Link-Up, Intercom the Magazine of the Society for Technical Communication, Closing the Gap, and others. He has worked at Northeast Utilities for over 28 years in Electric Distribution, Nuclear Engineering, and Information Technology.