Eric threw the sheaf of company-branded papers at Terri with a frustrated grunt. The sheets, rather than explode in Terri’s face as intended instead blossomed into a wild flapping flower and shed petals down to the existing mess of boxes and archived documents spread throughout the dark-cornered basement. Eric and Terri stared at each other, she appalled at his action and he stunned at the papers’ lack of efficacy. With a slow animation their faces turned to ridiculous dismay and finally to a burst of shared, cathartic laughter.
“Oh Jesus, Eric, what the hell?” Terri said between huffing laughs. She covered her face as though trying to catch the laughter with her hands. Mirthful tears flowed onto her fingertips. “This is so stupid!” she said, swiping at a small stack of logo-emblazoned folders with a bare foot, adding to the basement’s chaos.
Eric had more difficulty catching his humors, and when the folders went sliding across the floor his motor control left him. He doubled over, arms across his gut, and then back onto his ass. This incited a new round of mirth from the two co-workers.