The Day I tried to live another life

It was just another day. A day filled with work and all the stress and bustle that one could possibly want or even handle for that matter. “Damn my boss” I said under my breath. He wanted me to work the weekend and felt the need to ask me right before I left work late Friday evening. I didn’t have anything planed but I sure would have liked to have a day off. “Whatever” I said to my self under my breath after an all too polite yes to my boss. Seventeen days in a row. The pay was great but there is so much more to life then just the paycheck.

Returning to my cubical prison I riffled threw the many papers and reports that lay on my desk. Impossible was the work that sat before me. It was almost mocking looking at the yellow highlighter marks on my calendar for today’s priorities. I didn’t want to do much. Just a night at the pub would be nice. Even a good ol’ chat room would be a nice deviation from the everyday grind of papers and reports.

Overwhelmed by the work for the evening I decided that I had better get comfortable before I bother. Grasping my jacket I went for a nice cup of joe. The dinner across the street served the best. Yah it was cheap and not the gourmet type but it was the kinda kick one needed when they had a fourteen-hour day ahead of them. Middle management is not all it seems to be in a crap software company. What am I saying? I should quit my bitching, and just be thankful I have a job.  

Cup of black joe in my hand I walked threw the security gates of CSS inc. Greeted by a new security guard I gave my salutations in my all too fake persona. He seemed to be feeling good. I don’t get it his job is terrible. I guess I was missing something. I guess I was just not getting a lot of things lately.

 Moving briskly up the elevator shaft upon pressing the glowing button for the twenty-second floor I felt a bit better about my situation. The coffee sure helps. Slugging down a good slurp of the rich warm liquid I briskly walked to my desk. It was all going to be a good night. I just needed to get my head in the game.

 Suddenly I felt primal energy surge in my very soul. I felt alive and invigorated. A tail? This was the question in my head at the moment. Reaching back to investigate I found none however. Ears? No there weren’t any ears. What is happening to me? Looking in the mirror I saw a quick reflection of a cheetah. Looking again in almost terror I simply saw my self. Finding this startling I was a bit distressed. Phantom parts seemed to just grow and extend from me. I was feeling more and more catlike every step I took towards the desk. Lycanthropic urges and feelings surrounded my once sovereign and exclusively human flesh. Now I was something else. Half human half cheetah, my mind began to shift and I began to lick my hands, or were they paws. I was having trouble differentiating at this point.

Everything was a blur as I flew threw an unprecedented pile of reports, papers, and new software code. My inbox grew to but an inch of paper in what seemed only an hour, and in time grew to nothing. I growled at the copy machine for it couldn’t keep up with the pace I was working. The printer was an enemy of mine for it was even slower. I didn’t mind too much though. I had enough to do. Feverishly attacking my work it disappeared.

Coming to my full faculties I glanced at my outbox; in utter amazement and sheer surprise. “My work was done?” I didn’t quite understand how it was possible. I had a solid six hours of extra work and suddenly I have it all done in an hour. Didn’t seem possible. Ow well what did I care. It was done and the night was mine now. 

Leavening the office that troubled me so much I walked to my car. Getting there I was careful not to sit on my tail and also careful as to not crush me ears on the top of my cars roof. That would be unpleasant. Putting my car in drive it was time for a night at the pub with some friends. A well deserved break. 

(The next day)

No one knew what happened to Frank that day. The work was flawless and it was all done. He got a promotion and was in time awarded a very handsome raise. Still to this day though no one could explain the marks in the printer and copy machine. They almost looked like they were claw and bite marks, but after that night no one was going to ask. Would you?