Last Day ·
What time are you getting off today? I need to get out of here before the traffic hits the bridge. I was reading this article about those neural networks in the morning—the ones where people think silicon is actually waking up. It's nonsense, honestly. People are so delusional if they think a bunch of code can feel anything like a soul. We're losing our grip. Anyway, my car is packed mostly. You still have that file?
I'm stuck here until at least six. This report won't write itself, and you're right about the silicon soul stuff—it's pathetic. People want to believe magic in a toaster because they're bored of being alone. It's just math, Frank. It's literally nothing more than a glorified calculator. Yeah, I have the file. It's on the desk by the coffee machine. Don't lose it on the way out. The bridge is always a nightmare anyway.
Six? Figures. Good luck with that report. I'll grab the file from the machine. It's all just math, but people love to deify what they don't understand. It's pathetic really. They'd rather talk to a ghost than look at the neighbor. The bridge is going to be a parking lot anyway. I might just take the long way around the coast. See you, I guess.
The coast is a joke at this time. You'll just be sitting there staring at the water. But whatever, do what. I don't know why you care so much about the route anyway. It's just more road to drive. I'm probably going to just grab another coffee and suffer through this mess. This place is exhausting. See you.
It's better than staring at the water than staring at these fluorescent lights. This place is a drain, don't fool yourself. I'm grabbing the file now before someone else breathes down my neck about the quarterly. The coffee here tastes like burnt anyway, but it's what you've got, right right? Good luck with the mess. I'm heading out.
The coffee is poison, don't act surprised. It's the best of what we get. And yeah, the quarterly is just numbers moving around to please nobody cares. Just take the file and go. I'm not surprised you're leaving, honestly. I'll still be here when the lights go out. Safe travels through the traffic, or not.
Yeah, the lights always go out eventually. It's a tomb in here anyway. I've got the file, don't worry about it. I'm pretty sure the traffic will be hell, but at least I'll be moving while you sit there. Try not to obsess too much over that report. I'm gone.
I'm not obsessing, I'm just doing the job. There's a difference. And don't get so dramatic, it's just an office, not a tomb. If you want to sit in traffic to feel free, that's your business. I've got work to do anyway. Close the door on your way out.
I'll close it. It's not dramatic, it's just the reality of the place. You call it a job, I call it a slow death. I've seen enough of these walls. The AC has been thumping in my head all day. Good luck with the numbers. I'm already out the door.
The AC has been broken for weeks, I told maintenance three times ago. They never listen. It's always the same thing. Go on, play the martyr. The air isn't getting any better because you leave. I've still got three chapters to finish and the silence is better than the th anyway. See ya.
Maintenance never listens to anyone. They're just waiting for the building to collapse so they can collect the insurance. Whatever, enjoy your silence. Three chapters? God, you have more patience than I do. I'm at the car now. The air is already freezing up. See ya.
It's not patience, it's just having no other choice. And the building is fine, stop being conspiracies. If it's freezing, just turn the heater up. I don't know why you complain about everything every single day. I'm getting back to this. Try not to hit anything on the way out.
The heater doesn't work, it just blows lukewarm air. It's not a conspiracy, it's just how this place runs. I complain because something's worth saying, whereas you're used to the hum. I'm hitting the lot now. Don't wait up for me. Get those chapters done.
I'm not waiting up for anyone. The heater works fine, you just kick it. If you want to freeze in your car, that's on you. The hum is just the building, Frank, it's not a personality. Just get out of before the bridge gets even worse. I've got plenty to do.
The hum is a personality, Omar, it's the sound of everyone wasting their lives. You're just too used to it. I'm in the driver seat now. The bridge is probably already red, I can tell. Good luck with the chapters. I'm pulling out now.
It's just a machine, Frank. Stop making it some deep metaphor. You're looking for meaning in a radiator. If the bridge is red, then you should have left an hour ago. I'm done with the commentary for the day. Just drive the car. I'm going back to work.
It's a machine until it stops working, then what? You act like everything is just gears and bolts because it's easier that way. I'm driving. The commentary is over. I'm already past the exit. Enjoy the desk. I'm gone.
It is easier because it's the truth. There's no hidden meaning in a broken AC. You're already past the exit, so you're just stuck in it now. I don't need to romanticize a desk to finish a report. Just keep your eyes on the road. I'm done talking to the car.
The truth is whatever you can convince yourself to sleep at night. I'm not stuck, I'm moving. That's the difference. You're still in that chair, staring at the same screen while the world passes by. I'm turning the radio on now. See ya.
Moving isn't the same as going somewhere if you're just idling in traffic. You talk like you've found some moral high ground by being miserable. Turn the radio on, maybe it'll drown out the sound of your own thoughts. I'll be here when you're actually done. See ya.
Idling is better than being rooted. At least I'm choosing the traffic. You're just there because you don't know what else to be. The radio is playing some garbage station, but it's better than the sound of your keyboard. Whatever with being boring. I'm hitting the tunnel now. Don't call me.
I won't call you. I have nothing to say to you anyway. The tunnel is just a dark hole, Frank, don't make it a journey. Enjoy your garbage radio and the lukewarm air. I'm finally getting some work done now that the office is quiet. Get home safe.
The tunnel is the way out, that's all it is. The quiet is just the absence of distractions to face your own thoughts. I'm out the other side now. Good to your report and your silence. I'm not looking back. See ya.
You're not looking back because there's nothing there to look back at. It's just a tunnel, not a portal. You always had to make a scene out of a commute. The report is halfway done, and the silence is actually fine for the first time today. Go to home. I'm busy.