Chapter 1 - Jeenie's Morning

It was past due 8.30am that day and everyone was already at work for an hour when in waltzes Jeenie in her normal trait. As usual she reaches the office an hour late, it is a daily affair for her as she knows she has no worries about being late for work. She would be punctual but since she has played her office politics well, she doesn't need to. Her achievements in this is quite an accomplishment considering that she is an analyst programmer which is an executive level.
She goes to her cubicle and place her handbag in the drawer. Then she switches on the PC, her Yahoo Messenger and the MSN Messenger starts and logins automatically so she immediately scans for any offline messages. Seeing none, she moves on to her next task - make herself a cup of coffee at the pantry.

"Oops, I'll get it later", she says to herself as she spotted Nellie near the pantry so she makes a casual turn and goes back to her desk. She will get her coffee later since her office politics has not reached to the Director level yet. Nellie is a Director with the Company. Jeenie has only made inroads up to the manager level. Kane, the Department manager, will cover for her and ensure she gets her annual increment and bonus for work not done. "Ha ha ha, the fool Kane", she thinks to herself, "he thinks he is a good manager and that I am one of his best performing staff". "Men! they are so gullible when I turn on my damsel in distress act", she smiles to herself as she starts to surf the internet at her PC.

"Good morning Jeenie", says Kane. "Good morning, Kane", replied Jeenie nonchalantly."So, how is the Call Trace program coming along? Can you finish both the screen display and the maintenance programs by today?", asks Kane.

"Oh, I should be able to finish it today. I worked on it at home yesterday until 12:00am, it was tougher than I expected. I didn't get enough rest so I am a bit tired today but I will get it done. The Call Trace project was requested by the senior management and it is very important to me that we get it done on schedule. Furthermore, you are the project manager!", Jeenie replied while appearing serious. "Good, good, that's what I want to hear. I know I can count on you. Keep up the good work!", says Kane. Feeling very pleased with what he has just heard, Kane walked back to his office.

Time to call Jerry and Walter. Like Jeenie, they are both analyst programmers too. Jerry works in the same department while Walter is working with one of the subsidiaries. Just like Kane, she has Jerry and Walter under her spell too. Jerry is her favourite though, because she has him eating out of the palm of her hand and she can manipulate him in any way she wants. The same can be said for all the other guys she knows but Jerry is exceptionally gullible thereby making him obedient to her.

She dialed Jerry's extension number. "Hi Jerry, how are you? Are you very busy today?"
"Jeenie! Good morning. I am fine. How about you? Everything ok with you? Is Deanne bullying you again?"

"Yes, I was up until 12.00am yesterday working on the Call Trace maintenance program and she didn't show any appreciation at all this morning. Instead, she was very rude to me and said that I must finish both programs today. Could you please finish the Screen Display program for me by 5:00pm today? I would do it myself but the crazy woman gave me such a tight schedule and I have to complete the Call Tracker maintenance program by today too. Pleaseee..... ", Jeenie asks in a pleading tone.

"Oh, and please don't ask Deanne or mention it to her," Jeenie continues, "it will make things worse and I need my job".

"That bitch!", says Jerry with a raised voice. "Ok, ok, I will finish it for you by today. I don't know how you can stand her. How much more are you going to take from her? Never mind, don't you worry. We are behind you and we will help you. I will get started on it right away". Jeenie can hear the phone click on the other end as Jerry hangs up. "Hmmmm.. must remember to buy him a sandwich for breakfast tomorrow", Jeenie says to herself as an afterthought.

"Walter speaking". "Good morning Walter, Jeenie here" she continues, "Deanne is at it again, she shouted at me this morning and said that I must finish the Call Trace maintenance program by today. I know you are only half way through but could you please finish it by today. If not, Deanne will backstab me in front of Kane and it will affect my KPI and maybe my bonus. Please. I am so scared of her." says Jeenie in her pitiful almost-crying voice.

"Poor Jeenie. You must tell Kane about this." "No, no," Jeenie interrupts, "if I tell Kane then Deanne will make my life here more miserable than what it already is. Anyways, I have to finish the screen display program today so I will be very busy. Can you finish the maintenance program by today? Please." Jeenie pleads.

"Sure, you know I will help you." says Walter. "I will get it done and give it to you by end of today. Bye.".

"Hi, u there?" blinked the message on Jeenie's MSN Messenger. It was from Susie. "Of course" Jeenie quickly types in her reply. "Is Albert cute or what?" she continues typing. Jeenie and Susie proceeded to spend the next two hours talking about their night out the previous day. They had gone to the Caribbean Walk the night before and met some guys. The Caribbean Walk is a row of bars in the centre of town which is a hangout for singles.

Deanne was concentrating on updating her project schedule when her phone rang. "Deanne, please come into my office", Kane's voice was on the other end.
"Deanne, there has been a complaint about you from your co-workers", says Kane as soon as Deanne entered his office.