They say and compare words delivered in coherent and decipherable speech to bullets leaving a gun’s nozzle, the direction chosen, focused on its target, striking and causing an impactful ripple.

I the Smart Rat had been able to deliver such an impactful and effective initiation which halted one of the most important conventions on Mother Earth, the WBR or in Organizational Terms Weekly Business Review. It had a historical proven record of being conducted on a certain chosen day of the week, where all and sundry were invited (without a choice). It started bang as per its scheduled timing, irrespective of whether a tumultuous storm uprooted trees outside the building, or whether the entire structure vibrated on impact from an earthquake, it ran its usual chartered course defying everything in its path. To bring it to a halt for a few minutes was precious time lost, time which was dedicated to unearth hidden gold comprising efforts, blood and sweat of the minion rats, time which could have been utilized to progress mankind to an upper level of automation, time which could have been made effective use of to earn moolah, for which Boss Rat and the rest of all the rats toiled their asses to acquire, all at the cost of happiness and eternal peace.

Time stood still. I could hear my heart beat in my ears and my chest thumping away to glory. Different sets of eyes stared back at me dumbfounded in shock, with mixed emotions, some awestruck, some dazed and unbelieving, some jealous, few which seemed happy, and a special pair belonging to Boss Rat which showed disbelief. They seemed to read out what was running through his mind a bright neon message running across his forehead.

“How could this happen? How can someone escape? Something has definitely gone wrong. I have lost my Mojo!”

I took the initiative to break the deathly uncomfortable silence, cleared my throat noisily and put my palms on the table.

“Can we continue with the meeting?”

The rest of all the rats, including Boss Rat broke out from their transgenic progression and set forth on the path of regaining their senses. The remaining hour of the meeting was wrapped up quickly by Boss Rat since there was another very important agenda which needed to be addressed. The agenda was me!

“So that would conclude our Meeting for the week. Please ensure we meet the targets which we are lagging on and be sure to respond me on mails your effective measures and plans to achieve the same. All can leave……..except you Smarty Pants”

The rest of the rats trickled out, the flicker of hope returning on their faces, their expressions brightening. They had survived another week, and were walking out to a short lived freedom, but with renewed zeal and vigor to cherish and enjoy what the almighty had provided them. They stole sly glances at me, and some wicked smiles, all contemplating my fate to be left alone with Boss Rat.

I was sitting across Boss Rat, the oval table in the Meeting Room dividing us and our intentions. From whichever angle you looked at the spherical table the dimensions would look the same, very relative to the equation between us, all had been lost and from whichever perspective we pondered the facts remained the same, facts which could not be changed, influenced by massive egos.

Boss Rat finally cleared his throat and said “So you have decided to resign, eh?”

There was an unfamiliar sense of superiority I felt, an invisible power which boosted my confidence, the power derived from being in possession of a lucrative Offer Letter lying between the compartments of my bag, an offer with a promise to deliver more of the green paper, and a designated title to boast of, the key requirements which topped the essentials in mankind’s list, the prioritized elements which would decide my status and placement in the different echelons our society.

“Ah yes. I have” I said crossing my legs one over another and pushing the chair back towards the wall to create more space.

Boss Rat quietly looked at the posture and the demeanor, smoke emanating from his eyes which had turned a shade of red.

“May I know the reason for the decision?” he barked

I was sure I saw flames shooting out of his mouth, like the dragon waiting to be unleashed.

“A better Offer at hand”

“As in?”

“Salary and Designation”

“We can provide you the same”

“I don’t think so”

I said and put my arms over my shoulder resting them on top of my head.

I had been off alcohol for a couple of weeks and was spared of hallucinations which appeared after a bottle was out and finished. Boss Rat’s tail curling itself and tucking between his legs seemed to play with my senses, I was sure I was off alcohol, however the joint inhaled couple of hours back might have been the culprit. His gradually drooping shoulders, and a sense of loss slowly creeping over his face confirmed me I was not actually hallucinating. He straightened his posture in the chair, the buttons on his shirt, and the chair itself thanking him for the gesture. The voice which emanated from his mouth was devoid of the flames, a touch of nectar taking over.

“You are an important part of the cogwheel, you are our bright star my boy! We need to discuss this further…” the usual sneer making way for an imploring and embarrassed smile.

I smiled back waiting in anticipation of what would reveal next…..

To be continued……..