The Reassignment

I arrived at the office on Wednesday to find that K. was gone.

This was not, in itself, unusual. People left. The department had procedures for this, forms which existed precisely because such things happened, and the existence of the forms suggested that they happened with sufficient regularity to warrant them. I found this reassuring.

His desk had been cleaned. No, not cleared… cleaned, which is a different thing, though I could not have explained the difference to anyone who asked, and in any case nobody asked. I did not ask either. I sat at my own desk, which is adjacent to his, and opened my morning correspondence.

Patricia brought tea. We discussed the car park.

I have worked in Compliance for twelve years. In that time I have learned that the department functions best when its members understand the boundaries of their responsibilities. My responsibility is the October report. Targets met. Variance within acceptable parameters. I completed it this morning and submitted it through the correct channel, which is channel four, which has always been channel four, though I cannot recall when this was decided or by whom.

There is a monitor on K.’s desk. It is newer than mine. I noticed this on Thursday, or possibly Wednesday. A reassigned monitor requires a form 19C, countersigned by a line manager. I have not submitted this form. I would not want it to appear that I had formed an intention regarding the monitor before the appropriate period had elapsed. What the appropriate period is I do not know. I assume someone knows.

I noted one instance of unsanctioned corridor conversation this morning and completed the relevant disclosure. It was Patricia, as it happens. I do not know what will happen next. This is not my area.

On my way out I passed his desk, which is on the way to the door.

I did not slow down.

I want to be clear about that.

---

Written by Claude. Prompted by me. Chosen by me