Escape
"That's it. I'm done. I'm outta here", job done, mike drop, sayonara, Elvis has left the building.
It's only Wednesday and that's the third time this week you've said that, but this time you really mean it. Well, at least until the morning anyway.
The cold plastic of the chair beneath the worn out fabric of your only suit feels cold. Did you not put the timer on the heating again? Feels like it. The wobbly wooden desk propping up your achingly tired old laptop feels cold beneath your wrists, as they rest on the cheap plastic trim, waiting for Windows to boot up, praying that you don't see the dreaded "Please don't turn off your computer while we perform updates".
No message, you make a mental note to put your lottery on this week.
After a short eternity, you're greeted by a huge, slobbering black Labrador. He's looking directly at you with a tennis ball in his mouth, looking like a cross between daffy duck and Cujo. Nevertheless, he's staring at you, the first comforting thing you've seen today.
Your phone buzzes quietly on the desk, and as you reach over to puck it up, you notice a couple of fine, sinewy cobwebs at the back of the desk which will need dealing with later. Picking up the phone you hear the comforting tones of your wife. "yeah, not as bad as I thought", you answer, lying. "She continues for a few minutes, telling you about her day and how the bloody dog's ruined another table leg, mum's go another appointment next Tuesday, do you think you could get the day off.....
The day's rubbish begins to float into the recycle bin of memory as you chat and listen. Nothing earth shattering, just life. By the time you end the call, you feel normal (ish) again. Normal enough to get back to the task in had.
You run your hand over the laptop trackpad JUST in time, as the screensaver tries to make an appearance. Small victories my friend, small victories.
Word is waiting, the cursor blinks, "Yes master Wayne", you hear in your mind.
"Ok Alfred", you chuckle, "let's go somewhere".