Chapter Text
Normal Guy was sitting at his desk, head in his hands. The company that he helped build with his very two hands burnt down a week ago.
But he was still smiling.
He never would have seen this coming, he even put a bunch of no smoking signs everywhere.
Yet someone was not perfect. Someone had broken that rule. Someone had roasted his hard work over a fire.
And he was still smiling.
He’s been planning the new design for another building non stop. He has piled up coffee mugs on the dark wood desk, he doesn’t have anything special on it like others would.
But he’s still smiling.
Normal people would have pictures of loved ones or trinkets from who knows where. But at least they meant something, Normal Guy didn’t have that. Instead, all he had was a complimentary mug and a large collection of bobble heads. Some big, some small. It didn’t matter who or what the bobble heads were, if it bobbles, Normal Guy has it. But other than that, he had no one in his life that was meaningful to frame. Every one of his employees were boring and the same, but it was a necessity, necessary for his company to skyrocket.
He typed out a few things on his typewriter:
—
-New office building
-9 floors
-Better ventilation system
-Top floor, my office
-Elevators
-More “no smoking” signs
-Get rid of Bryce Stryker or whatever his name is’ office, he's the probably the reason the place burned down anyway
—
He looked at his work in satisfaction, something he hadn’t felt in a while. It took him a little longer than he would’ve usually to see that it was snowing. He scooched out from his chair, and walked to a window. His footsteps were loud in such a quiet lonely house, any noise would often echo throughout his living space.
The view from the window was beautiful, but not much to see. Maybe things would be better if he had something else to care about in life than working hard and being professional. Maybe he wasn’t as normal as he and everyone thought he was. He put a couple of fingers on the window. It was cold, freezing even. He wouldn’t go outside today. As soon as he took his hand away he straightened his suit jacket. He still needs to be professional. Speaking of professionalism, he needs to find some sort of work to sub in for his original job. His building may have burnt down, But he’s still smiling.
✧༺✦✮✦༻∞ ∞༺✦✮✦༻✧
He decided there could be something in the paper! There are always unprofessional people losing jobs, so surely there has to be somewhere that needs employees. They’re never as passionate about work as he is. After all, it’s not like he has anything else of interest in his life.
And yet he’s still smiling.
He walked back to his desk and sat down, grabbing the print as he did. As he flips through the pages gently, careful not to tear it, he sees advertisements for cologne, watches, roller skates, even matches. Normal Guy wouldn't be surprised if that was the brand his employees used to burn down his elevator, it seemed quite popular. He never understood why people smoked, he had tried it once, but could never get into it. His eye then twitched a bit as his grin grew a bit wider.
He closed his eyes and took a breath as he continued to skim over the articles, and something caught his eye! It looked like a bistro that needed more employees and they had an assistant manager spot as well! Exactly what he’s good at.
As he continued to read the interview’s words, whoever wrote it had very good vocabulary.
It seemed as though this chef was known for firing unqualified workers quite often. Seemed like the two of them had something in common! The unprofessional will never survive in this world of business, but if you keep them, it'll start weighing you down. That’s why Normal Guy always makes sure his staff are perfect, otherwise he fixes them! Sad that he missed one, now he has to search for jobs in other businesses..
His eyes go left to right in a steady pace until he sees an image of a man. He must be the chef who was interviewed: ‘Chef Charbonneau’... The image was in black and white, similar to him, but it still stood out from the advertisements of trash cans and tip jars. After a while, Normal Guy finally puts the paper down on his desk. He opens one of his drawers and picks up a yellow file, then blows the dust off of it carefully. It hasn't been touched in ages…
He stands up and walks out of his workroom, file in hand, dusting off his suit slightly as he makes his way to the front door. As he reaches for the shiny, but squeaky door knob, he turns to the mirror hanging by the window. He puts on a more calm demeanor, shutting the door behind him as he keeps smiling.