A Syringe in Hyde Park and a Tale for Jana

Filing for David

When finally arriving at work I immediately commenced upon one of the last briefs on our hearing list for July. Whizzing through my sole brief I completed it whilst Najla was halfway through the mail and with that I gave her a helping hand. Once the morning mail was complete the rest of the day was practically spent on filing. Jana came over to our desk early in the morning asking when we will get cracking on such an episode.

Taking a look at what honestly would have been over four hundred pages in David’s file (Some were Subpoenaed documents which were large) we figured it would take us some time to get it down. However, no time like the present as with some of my pestering persuasion, Najla and I both started on filing. What seems to amuse me is how Najla completely strays away from David’s filing in which I think I have only seen her put away his files once.

David’s filing is a stress, one that I adhere to well and I don’t mind my going through David’s filing myself as Najla pulls her weight in other places. Najla starts the morning and afternoon mail early, she does those odd little things that I would rather leave to the side and she spices up her efforts with her own little touch. We have a great time together everyday, chatting, laughing, making jokes, being sarcastic, malleable, the lot.

Lunch Under the Fig Tree

Allowing Najla to have lunch at midday I continued with the filing, finding many large files in David’s room and feeling all the more satisfied. When Najla made her way back to work from her lunch break I decided to head up to Hyde Park as it has been long and sparse since these soils graced my seating as a throne of reverie. The sun was resplendently aware of my illustrious journey to my pool of memories in which I bought sushi on the way.

Seating myself under the fig tree which is always vacated for my personal gratification, I took my time eating what was my lunch, two sushi rolls and a drink. Despite it being 1:00 p.m. there weren’t as much people wandering the paths as I would normally have expected in the booming first week I headed there. Despite this lack of consistency I enjoyed my meal and after a couple of minutes I decided to jump up. Preoccupied with my digestive tract, I was unaware of what was laying around me as I ate.

There in the corner of the fig’s huge root that acted as the top portion of my backrest, I noticed an open syringe with a broken needle. Obviously drug pushers had been using this area earlier in the night and as revolted as I was I kept myself there instead of jumping up with fear. Taking extra care not to go anywhere near the two syringes I did spot my hand was initially twenty to thirty centimeters away. How close was I to a potential disaster and of having something like AIDS. Senseless drug users, push their needles and negligently throw away needles where others can be pricked by them, idiots.

Calibre Again

Heading back to work with half an hour to spare I made my way past Lyssa’s work on Elizabeth Street and passing a shop called ‘Calibre’ for the umpteenth time I finally decided to walk into the suave joint. Holding racks of designer labels and fashionable clothes I did enjoy some of the prices on the clothing which was well within my limit of spending. However, there were great jackets on sale there which hugged the body and cost $425.

If I was ever to buy an item like this I would have to really appreciate the fabric or the divine look it gave to me as I normally wouldn’t waste such money on one item. Browsing through Calibre (In which it won’t be my last time) I headed next door to a shop that I’ve frequently visited. You might know it as the shop I tried on the $120 pink shirt when I did receive the craze to wear such an in color.

The Baby Blue Sweater

However, this time around, almost as crazed, I was lured in spotting a baby blue polo neck sweater. Having been there trying on clothes to no success and to the disappointment of the assistants I decided to be a nuisance again. They didn’t see me as any kind of bother as I asked to try on their baby blue top, supposedly the last one they had. How I have heard that story aplenty in these last week or two of shopping but it is the financial year clearance so hey, I might be buying the last of everything.

Nevertheless, as I tried on the baby blue top it sat like a girl’s sweater and the color didn’t suit me at all either. Therefore, having no money anyway, I decided the sweater wouldn’t be worth my while and straight out, uttered “Nope, I don’t like it on me”. Taking off the polo neck the assistant tried to keep my business by enticing me with the knowledge that the sweater had gone down to $150 because of the sale.

Sounding a bit rich for something I didn’t like I declined his offer to which he continued “Alright, I’ll give it to you for $100”. Sounding a touch enticing, I knew that I could buy a better polo neck at a cheaper price from ‘Pile Up’ and again, having no money I declined his offer. Suiting back up I thanked him for his assistance and then made haste back to work as I didn’t know what time it was but gathered I would be late.

Jana Wants an Appraisal

Heading back to work I passed Jana and as I smiled at her she uttered “I know, I have to do your appraisal”. Trying to get some more understanding I headed back to my section where Najla told me Jana was looking for me in order to sit down for my appraisal. Each consecutive month for three month’s I’m supposed to have an appraisal which is basically a little survey as to how I am doing.

As both Jana and I have been swamped with work it has taken more than one and a half months to finally speak of it. Jumping back into the filing for the meantime as Jana readied herself I got some more chunky files out of the way. There wasn’t much communication with everyone outside of the legal department, maybe except for a small chat with Linh and Jonas. I’m not sure what Linh and I talked of but I do remember seeing Jonas at the photocopier and our talking about the forthcoming weekend.

Xavier Calls One Last Time

Just a couple of points regarding the caliber of my day before I headed out to lunch. I forgot to mention that I received what I consider to be my very last call from Xavier, the tenaciously obsessive dramatist of pedophilic behavior. Not too sure on what time he did call but I remember holding my breath and the dread upon seeing Najla clench up, hold the phone’s receiver and remark “It’s Xavier”.

Letting out a sigh, I answered the phone resigned and as Xavier asked his question of our having lunch together I turned him down, hopefully for the last time. “Sorry Xavier” I whispered clutching my head in my hand, “I’m having lunch with my friends from work today”. With that I just told him that I might see him on the train home and with this we parted.

Snickers and a Settled Cough

Just a small spin-off from the reality of such limited digression, I must note that I bought a snickers bar in the morning. Acquiring it from Jana’s section, she had one of those boxes full of goodies which relied on people’s honesty to pay for the products. Snickers really satisfied before heading off for lunch in which I only bought one sushi roll to my knowledge. On a relatively smooth roll, I feel that I am getting accustomed with work very well. Getting to know people and time have both served a great purpose to making me comfortable around my peers and at first glance of my position, I always knew that it would hold big opportunities for me.

Back when I first began working I used to cough dominantly, just little ones throughout the day. Gathering that this was from anxiety created from my first few weeks and my getting accustomed, I am now glad to note that the cough is almost extinct. Nevertheless, as my dad lets out little coughs throughout the day, I feel a touch of hereditary value. Also, I find that after eating I tend to have a throat more sodden with phlegm and therefore, more apt to coughing.

Telling Jana About Xavier

Getting now to the finer defining point of the day, upon coming back from lunch and with Jana heading over for an appraisal a discussion began. “Where are your smiles” Jana asked as we were tuckered out from work. Somehow I hinted something about Xavier and not being too happy about him and as Jana was intrigued for a storyline I consulted Najla, asking “Do you think I should tell her the news”.

With Jana being persistently curious I thought to just break it down for her easy absorption. Esme was also around as I started telling my tale of how I met a guy on the train who seemed like a nice guy and his persistency led him to track me down at work. Jana listened on with reluctant interest, not sure as to what would come from my next phrase.

Despite the uncertainty Esme and Jana were all ears and as I finally blurted out with a touch of sarcasm that he might be a pedophile Jana stood aghast speaking her word. For the next couple of minutes Jana shared her point of vie win which I should tell him to get lost and how she’s come across some other guy that looked sweet and sincere but turned out to be a serial killer.

Jana was just overreacting as I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. Acting as my big sister, Jana asked that if he called back again, to divert it over to Jana so that she could deal with him. “You have to learn to say Fuck Off” Esme remarked to our surprise. That was my truth explained, I’m too light when it comes to telling someone where to go.

I always think of the other persons feelings over my actions and that’s why I never had the nerve to say anything evicting, carrying on with something that wasn’t going anywhere to my mind.