"Jenkins! Get in here!" a shout came over the hum of computers and recycled air. Ted sighed and walked over to the corner office of Irving Williams, his boss.
"Yes, Mr. Williams?"
"You've been slacking on you DTF reports, Jenkins. I'm going to need significantly more output from you if we're to meet our quarterly goals!"
Williams continued to drone, and Ted zoned out. He was used to this at least once a week - he'd get a stern talking to, then go right back to work and keep doing the same thing. He just had to make sure he looked like he was paying attention.
"Understood?" Williams had finished his tirade.
"Absolutely, sir!"
"Good, now get back to work." Ted started walking back to his desk, then stopped. Something was different about Williams. He turned to look, it was unmistakable. Big, silver hoop earrings were dangling from his ears. And they looked somehow familiar. Ted stared for a moment, but Williams didn't notice - he seemed engrossed in some magazine, which Ted couldn't see. OK, this was weird. He had to tell Stan.
"Psst!" Stan looked up from his computer with a start.
"Jesus, Ted. You scared me! What's up?"
"Have you seen Williams? He's wearing..." Ted trailed off when Stan turned his head. Dangling from his friends ears was another pair of big silver hoops, just like his boss had.
"OK, what's the prank?"
"What do you mean?"
"The earrings, man. You and Williams. What gives?"
"I don't know what you're talking about. What's wrong with my earrings?"
Ted gaped for a moment. "Well... why are you wearing them?"
Stan looked increasingly confused. "Because I like them? And they were a gift."
"A gift? From who??"
"Umm... David. My fiancee. What's wrong with you, Ted?" As soon as Stan said fiancee, a huge diamond engagement ring appeared on his left hand. Ted was gobsmacked. What the hell was going on?
