The Fate of the Office Gossip

Keisha walked up to Natasha. “Girl, did you hear what happened to Myeshia?” Keisha asked.
"No, girl, what happened?” Natasha grew excited for the latest gossip.
“I heard she got fired for fraud.”
By this time, Stephanie had joined the conversation.
“For real? I heard that she was under investigation by HR for inappropriate relationships with other reps.”
“Somebody needs to find out what really happened, because this is crazy,” Natasha stated, as she grabbed a ponytail holder out of her purse. “Let’s ask Marcy, she knows everything.”
Marcy was surrounded by a large group of people, exchanging the latest gossip in the cafeteria. She was a short red-head that people typically heard before they saw. Whenever she was exchanging the latest gossip, her green eyes glowed with excitement. This day in particular, she was wearing her “know-it-all” hot pink tee with her white capri pants.
“So, she supposedly was messing around with another representative in the parking lot after work and security caught them.” Marcy went so far as to name the representative that was “supposedly” involved.
*
Everyone is aware of a game called telephone, which involves telling one person a secret and what happens is by the time the secret travels through about 15 – 20 people, it is so exaggerated, that it does not even resemble what really happened. One can only imagine what happened in this case. Johnny, who was the person named as the rep involved with Myeshia, was more than offended by the version that he overheard Natasha telling Stacy.
“Girl, so I hear that Myeshia got pregnant by Johnny and she is going to take him to court for child support. On top of that, he gave her a STD,” Natasha said.
“That is a shame. Men need to take care of their responsibilities. That is so nasty.” Stacy sighed and looked at her computer screen.
Appalled by what was said, Johnny glared at Natasha. Natasha happened to see Johnny out of the corner of her eye. This did not stop Natasha, because as far as she knew, this was a true story.
“Girl, he has the nerve to look mad. He’s just mad because now that everyone knows he has an STD, no one will sleep with him,” Natasha laughed and smoothed down her khaki skirt.
Johnny, who had recently applied for a supervisor position, was afraid that this would affect his chances of getting the position and was furious. He followed the proper channels and went to Human Resources about the issue. He could barely hold back his overflowing anger as he reached for the door to HR. Trying to maintain his composure; he smoothed down the collar of his button down shirt and ran his hand over his smooth bald head.
*
“Girl, did you hear about Johnny?” Stacy squealed as she put the last bobby pin in her freshly made bun of micro braids.
“No, what happened?” Marcy inquired as she flipped through her latest In Touch magazine.
“I heard that Johnny went to HR about rumors going around about him.”
“I doubt it.”
By the end of the day there were more than fifty people who either received meeting makers from HR, or were escorted off the floor. The fate of the Office Gossip was yet to come.
Marcy was asked to meet with Mrs. Wyndam, the head of Human resources. She slowly grabbed her purse and headed down, what seemed to be, the longest hallway ever. She opened the door to HR and sat down in an orange plush cushioned chair. How ironic, such a warm chair, for such a cold place…she thought.
Marcy sat with her hands folded; her palms were drenched in the sweat of guilt, and her heart was pounding out of her chest. What do they want me in here for? I hope he didn’t really go to HR. What am I going to do? Thoughts raced through her head as she waited for her impending fate.
“Mrs. Wyndam will see you now, Marcy,” the secretary politely said and motioned for Marcy to come into the room.
“Good afternoon, Marcy. I am sure that you are aware of the office policies that state: Not Here, Not Ever, correct?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Well it has come to our attention that there are several rumors coming from you regarding several of our employees’ personal lives, and this is not the first time that you have been addressed by us.”
“I understand.”
“We do not, under any circumstances, tolerate any form of harassment. As a result, we are going to have to let you go. But, I will give you the opportunity to resign first.”
“What was said?”
“Several rumors that were started by you were not only verified by the employees, but the management team as well.”
“Look, I have kids, is there anything that can be done to rectify this?” Marcy said with tears in her eyes.
“Unfortunately, no, please hand me your badge, and your items on your desk are being collected by your supervisor.”
So the Office Gossip became the talk of the Office. And Natasha was quite willing to take the position of the New Office Gossip.
“Girl, did you hear what happened to Marcy?” Natasha smirked.

copywritten September 25, 2008