It Changes Nothing

This is fiction based on a dream I had.

Let me tell you about something that happened on my last job. I was hired by some guy who had a defense contract to manage supplies related to some obscure piece of equipment. We had about a dozen people in the operation, and most of my work was related to tech support for the team, but more than just computers. I used my fancy laptop on the job a great deal because we had to travel so much.

Right after I signed on, we had to fly up north somewhere on a cargo plane, because we were escorting some pallets of supplies. The boss suggested we take a nap because it was a long flight and we would land sometime before dawn. I climbed up on one of the pallets because it had padding across the top. I grabbed a spare tarp for cover because the interior of the cargo bay was unheated. Pulling my jacket off, I rolled it up as a pillow.

When I woke up a few hours later, I found the cutie on the team was curled up against my back. I moved a little and rolled over onto my back. She mumbled something about, “Don’t expect a hand job.” While I was repulsed by what I thought was a very naughty sense of humor, I simply replied with sarcastic deadpan, “Oh, darn.” I dozed off again.

When we began descent for landing, I got up and started composing myself for the rush of work we would have unloading. One of the guys leaned up close to me and said quietly, “Be careful with her. She’s just a big tease.”

I turned with a faint smile. “Watch me. She won’t get anything I wouldn’t give anyone else.”

During the morning she did tend to act as if there was something between us, but I never warmed to her at all. I’m pretty tolerant with unusual requests, but kept up my nonreactive front, especially when dealing with her.

We were sitting in a private lounge attached to a hanger. Some were in some chairs along one wall, and about three of us were at one table. I had done some work on my laptop, and then closed the lid and slipped it back into my bag. She arose from her seat along the wall and walked over to the table. Trying to look her cutest, she asked me, “Can I play some games on your computer?”

“Nope. I never let anyone use my computer.” Again, I kept my mild and nonreactive tone.

With some exaggerated affectation, she pouted and said, “I thought I was special.”

I turned my head a little to one side. “I never gave you anything I wouldn’t give anyone else. The only thing that separates you from the rest of the team is that you’re a gold-digger. You just make more demands.”

She was genuinely angry. “I hate you!”

I leaned back and closed my eyes, stretching my arms up. “I knew that already. Nothing has changed except your false impression.”

She turned and stormed out.