The Cube People Read Online Free PDF Page A

micro-manager, a nitpicker – typical red-tape government. I always feel compelled to tell him, just let me do my job for Christ’s sake and quit all the nonsense. “Hey Colin, hate to be a pest, but can you resubmit your timesheet for last week, you used code 855 when it should be 856 for the two-hour meeting on Wednesday.”
    â€œSure thing Bruce, right away.”
    â€œI’m going to have estimates for you soon.”
    â€œSounds good.”
    â€œOh yeah, I’m supposed to remind everyone that photocopying should be held to a bare minimum. Also, try not to print anything if you can.”
    I think of Bruce as not responsible for his actions, like Freddy Fruitcake. They have no choice. Bruce can’t help being Bruce. I correct my electronic timesheet and hit submit. I smile and think I can’t help the fact that I hate my job.

Bacon Phat Editions
    PO Box 4550
    Fredericton, NB
    E4B 7Q7

    June 15, 2006

    Dear Mr. MacDonald:
    Thank you for your submission. Unfortunately, we are looking for titles that are edgier, riskier. The Cube People is just not alternative enough for us.
    We have recycled your manuscript as you indicated was your preference in your letter.
    Best of luck.

    Sincerely,
    Jim Phat

Hungry Hole: Chapter 2
    A week later Ryan went back down to the basement to get out his bicycle for the first spring ride. The crack in the floor was now an indentation about the size of a basketball. It looked like part of the foundation had collapsed into the ground.
    â€œShit, look at that,” said Ryan aloud.
    He got down on his knees and felt the concrete to see if it was wet, to see if there was some sortof leak. It was their first house. They’d been living here just shy of a year. The home inspector had said that the people who’d built this house had built it to last. The roof, wiring, plumbing, foundation were all sound. Even still, during the first few months of home ownership, every time it rained, Ryan found himself in the attic checking for leaks and in the basement checking for flooding. After a while he’d stopped. Gillian was a calming influence. You worry too much, relax, she would tell him, it’s all going to be okay. Relax, yeah right, look at this hole, thought Ryan.
    Within an hour he was back from Home Depot with cement. He mixed it according to the clerk’s instructions and then filled the hole.
    Two blocks into the bike ride he noticed a construction site. A massive lot of expensive row houses were going up. Men in hardhats were working on the foundation. Ryan stopped his bicycle.
    â€œExcuse me sir,” said Ryan to a man wearing a white hat, whom Ryan assumed was the foreman.
    â€œYeah, what can I do for you?” asked the man, slightly adjusting his hat as he approached.
    â€œUm, I just have a quick question for you, do you have a minute?”
    â€œI’ll try sir, but you’ll have to make it quick.”
    â€œWell I bought a home just two blocks from here and a hole has formed in my basement floor.”
    â€œUh huh,” said the man, who didn’t seem surprised at all.
    â€œWell I just wanted to know if that kind of thing is common?”
    â€œWell mister, let me tell you something, this whole area is built on clay. The houses around this area are slowly sinking. What we did with these houses is drop down titanium rods until we hit bedrock, a couple hundred feet. Now in your case, sounds like an air pocket, something way down probably shifted, up rises the air, down goes your floor. Still, not very common, but I’ve seen all sorts of crazy shit. Nothing much surprises me. Hopefully your whole house doesn’t shift. If it does, you’ll need my help. Here’s my card,” said the man, pulling one from his plaid jacket pocket.
    â€œThanks,” said Ryan taking the card. “Hopefully I won’t need to call.”
    The man smiled. “Yeah, ’cause it’ll be expensive if you see