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Bob didn’t cry many times before that year— perhaps he did so privately but he hadn’t had a childhood that allowed him to express such strong emotions openly. Maybe that marked the beginning of when he wanted to forget, even so early on…
He had held grief in his heart for practically his entire life and the Severance Program seemed like a light at the end of the tunnel. He remembered the day he had first seen it advertised— it had been in that year too, but it was before the final straw that would ultimately send him running to Lumon Industries.
He had been sitting alone on the couch, waiting for his wife, Lindy, to come home when that advertisement appeared: a giant biotechnology conglomerate was offering something groundbreaking for new employees: the Severance procedure. Bob found himself glued to the screen as the voiceover talked about how, if you took part in this voluntary process, your memory would be essentially split in two: one version of you would exist as an "innie" (only on the basement floor of Lumon) and the other version would be your "outie" (who would get to experience everything outside-- the original you). The goal was to create a new efficiency for both sides of your life. No work stress at home and no home stress at work. (All thanks to Kier Eagan, as they so helpfully reminded him before the commercial had switched to something else).
It was interesting to say the very least. And Bob’s heart was a heavy one-- for a brief moment, escaping this life for eight hours a day sounded like a dream. But Lindy would never go for it and with good reason. He could lead an entirely different life down there, having forgotten all about her…
He had chosen to forget Lumon Industries and the Severance Program for the time being and continued to wait for her to come home. By the time she arrived, Bob was passed out on the couch, television still on in front of him. It was two o’clock in the morning. He was never sure when she would come home from her demanding job and he always tried to wait up, but it didn’t work every time, like that night.
Lindy had come in silently, looked at Bob’s sleeping form, and went to bed. She was gone before he woke up the next morning. The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes…was another Lumon commercial for that very same Severance Program. He must have forgotten to switch the television off.
Lindy left that day and never looked back. Bob wanted to pretend he hadn’t seen it coming but, in truth, he had desired so desperately to fix what had obvivously been coming apart at the seams for years now…
He attempted to call her. Go after her. No response except for one that told him she didn’t want to be followed. So he didn’t.
Lumon became a beam that day, calling Bob like a moth to a flame. It may have been the most spontaneous move of his life, but that was the moment he decided to volunteer for the program.
God, he just wanted to forget everything…
Bob sailed down the elevator, trying to push thoughts of Lindy out of his mind. He didn’t love her anymore. He didn’t want to. Still, thoughts crept in due to the lack of closure. He wiped his eyes with his suit sleeve and reminded himself that, in a few seconds, all the work of forgetting would be done for him…
As the box reached the basement, Bob’s eyes began to wink and roll. His face turned toward the ceiling slightly-- then, as quickly as it had begun, it ceased and the doors opened before him. A bright smile had appeared on his face and he walked out the doors with an entirely new air about him.
Robert R.’s innie was ready to clock in.
A series of hallways that would seem like a maze to any inexperienced worker led Robert R. to his department: Macrodata Refinement (or MDR for short). Four cubicles pushed together sat in the center of the bright room and most of his colleagues were here: John W., the laidback narcissist who always seemed to have an opinion on everyone else’s every move; Ava S. who kept mostly to herself but was highly intelligent and reliable; and Yelena B., his closest coworker on the team and also the newest one here. She was smart too but her humor provided fresh air that the team needed (mostly because they would never be able to have literal fresh air). Bob thought the world of her.
As Robert R. approached, all three looked up. Ava nodded and muttered his name in greeting while John acted all too familiar, “‘Morning, Bobby.”
Robert R. frowned momentarily. He hated that nickname and John W. had a habit of forgetting…though, he wasn’t exactly sure why he hated it…
The frown disappeared as Yelena B. stood to greet him. Both Ava S. and John W. looked down at their computers, not looking for any sort of involvement in this whatsoever.
“Hi Yelena,” Robert R. said, already a little breathless. She looked amazing today-- well, she looked amazing every day, but he never failed to remind her. She blinked up at him.
“Good morning, Robert. I grabbed you some coffee.”
She turned over her shoulder and nodded toward his desk. He followed her gaze to where the steaming cup sat next to his sleeping computer. He grinned, “Thoughtful…thanks.”
She smiled back but, before she could reply, a voice behind Bob caught all of their attention.
“Hello MDR team,” this was Mel, a young woman who was in charge of managing the severed floor. She wore the same uniform she did every day: a white dress shirt and tie with dark pants to contrast. She stood straight and offered them all a smile before turning her attention solely on Bob, “Robert. R., Miss De’Fontaine would like a quick word.”
He felt his stomach sink for a moment, wondering if he had been caught-- relationships were strictly forbidden between severed employees and they did not do a good job of hiding what they were up to. Yelena B. 's expression read with the same panic to a trained eye like Bob’s, but she used neutral body language to cover it up.
“I’ll leave your coffee in the microwave to keep it warm while you’re gone,” she assured, entirely un-flirteous now. Robert R. nodded and muttered a quiet thanks before following Mel out. The team watched them go.
Yelena B. turned back to them and saw both Ava S. and John W. looking right back at her.
“What?”
“Your days as a pair may be numbered,” Ava S. admitted flatly.
Yelena B. raised an eyebrow, “That’s a pretty negative way of thinking about it.”
She made her way back to her desk and sat down. John W. pushed down the dividers between the desks for a moment so he could see them before he spoke, “Yeah, maybe we should have a little more faith in the Sentry.”
Yelena B.’s brows furrowed, “The Sentry?”
Ava S. rolled her eyes as John W. looked all too excited to explain, “It’s a nickname we gave him the day we met quota solely thanks to his work.”
“But the name doesn’t make any sense,” Ava S. said under her breath as she refused to look up from her computer.
“Of course it does,” John W. retorted, sounding slightly offended at the challenge, “A sentry is a guard. He’s guarding this place’s integrity!”
“And you’re reaching to come up reason,” Ava S. reached over and pulled the divider back up, cutting John W. off. He looked to Yelena B. instead who sat with her arms crossed, looking equally incredulous.
“Are you sure you didn’t just think Sentry was a cool name?”
“That part was just a perk,” John W. admitted, throwing his tie over his shoulder and then leaning into his desk to focus on sorting scary numbers.
Yelena B.’s gaze drifted to where Robert R. had just left. There was still so much about this place she had yet to learn…and a lot more that she would likely never know.
Robert R. felt the dread increase as he walked. He couldn’t remember what the punishment for workplace relationships was-- his training had been so long ago now, a couple of years. Surely, the Break Room would be where he was headed. He hated to think of Yelena B. having to go in there and wondered what she might see.
He had tried his best to avoid the place, especially after one particular visit resulted in a shadowy figure with pinprick eyes staring back at him. He shuddered at the thought.
He and Mel arrived at the office of Miss Valentina Allegra De’Fontaine, who sat at her desk with a thick binder open in front of her. She wore a stern expression as her finger traced down the open page, looking for something. She didn’t seem to notice them coming in. Regardless, Mel gestured to a chair for Robert R. to sit down. He did as such.
As he got settled, Valentina looked up. The sternness disappeared, replaced by caution with a hint of pity. Robert R. looked between Mel and Valentina, feeling discomfort rise within him. She immediately seemed to notice the way he squirmed, “Don’t be afraid, Robert R. You aren’t in trouble for anything…should you be?”
She stared at him for a moment before letting out a good-natured laugh that was echoed by Mel. Robert R. chuckled nervously, “I don’t think so, Miss De’Fontaine.”
“Well good,” she continued airily, “That’s more than I can unfortunately say for Reed R…”
Any trace of a smile that had lingered on Robert R.’s face disappeared right then and there, “Wait what?”
“I’m sorry to have to give you this news, but I thought you would want time to process before we told the others,” Val closed her binder and pushed it aside. She tapped its cover twice and Mel came to retrieve it and lock it away in one of the nearby cabinets.
Robert R. remained dumbfounded, “Did you…fire him?”
Val looked him straight in the eyes, “That was the only way. His disloyalty was a danger to Lumon.”
“Disloyalty?” Robert R. couldn’t fathom the words that were coming out of his own mouth. Reed R. had never said anything that would imply disloyalty…right? He felt frozen, unable to move. Reed R. was gone. He wasn’t being fired-- he was fired. A firing essentially meant your innie died…Robert R. thought he was going to throw up.
“But-- but you said he was sick. He had the flu. That’s why we moved his desk--”
“And that was the truth,” Val nodded, “But the problem festered into something new. I really am sorry, Robert R., you were one of our favorite office friendships.”
Mel nodded at her side in agreement as Robert R.’s eyes fell to his lap. His hands sat open-palmed, facing back up at him. He brought both up and ran them over his face, not even knowing what to say.
Suddenly, the Break Room treatment for him didn’t seem so bad in comparison…
Robert R. returned to his desk with a haunted expression on his face. Yelena B. looked up at him as he entered, coming right to her, “Is everything alright, Robert?”
She was concerned but she didn’t wear pity the way Val had. Her expression was entirely different and entirely genuine. She stood as he didn’t answer for a moment, “Bob?”
The nickname sent shivers up his spine and pulled him out of the trance for a moment. She had spoken it quietly but it had done the trick. She now searched his eyes.
Robert R. looked up toward the security camera for a split second before returning to her, “Would you mind showing me where you left the coffee again, Yelena?”
A smile formed on Yelena B.’s face as she got the message, “Of course. It’s nice and hot. All ready for you, Robert R.”
And she led him to the “kitchenette”.
In the bathroom-- the one place Lumon’s camera’s couldn’t reach-- Robert R. lifted Yelena B. up by her hips and set her on the sink before him. She let out a playful little yelp before he came in a little desperately, catching her lips with his. She draped her arms around his neck loosely and pressed back into him, eyes fluttering closed. She broke away for a brief moment only to come back in at a deeper angle.
She wrapped her legs around his torso, practically hugging his body to her own. Meanwhile, his hand clung to her waist, not daring to let go as though he were afraid she would disappear. He let his eyes open for one brief moment, just to catch a glimpse of how beautiful she was, before closing them again.
His hands moved downwards until he was able to scoop her up in his arms. She released a muffled sound of delight as she realized she was suspended midair. Her fingers began to claw their way through his hair and he shuddered at the touch. All the while, their lips hardly parted.
Yelena B. only broke the kiss’s momentum when she heard Robert R. whimper. It didn’t sound like one of delight-- for a second, she was scared she hurt him. Their lips made a little smack as they broke apart and Yelena B. immediately began to scan his face for injuries, “What happened? Did I hurt you??”
Robert R. couldn’t help but smile at her care, hoisting her up a little in his arms, “I’m fine. I mean-- you didn’t hurt me.”
“But something’s hurting you?”
Robert R. looked at her and she looked right back. Deciding he couldn’t lie, he set her back down on the sink and sat next to her, rubbing his face again, “Sorry. I ruined the moment.”
“No,” Yelena B. insisted, placing a hand on his arm, “You didn’t ruin anything. You can tell me what’s wrong, Bob.”
There was that nickname again. The one that made him want to tell her everything in the universe. He looked up at her and the words came out quickly, “Reed R. got fired.”
“What??”
Yelena B. had only met Reed R. briefly. This was going to be a team of five and she had been hired about a month ago while he was still here. Still, she had heard so much about him from Robert R. They were best friends, after all.
He nodded, “Valentina just told me. That’s why I was called in.”
“Oh, Bob. I’m so sorry,” she took his hand, which he had once again been staring at. He felt himself warm instantly under her fingertips and laced his fingers with hers.
“I don’t get it, you know?”
A dark thought seemed to cross Yelena B.’s mind right then and there and Robert R. recognized the concerned expression immediately. He squeezed her hand, encouraging her to bring the dark to the light.
“What if I’m his replacement? Maybe that’s why they hired me. Oh shit, they moved his desk and everything-- they fired him because of me!”
Robert R. tried to quell her worries, though he understood her thoughts had gone straight to how Reed R.’s innie had essentially been killed through the firing process. He rubbed her shoulders, “Hey, you didn’t do anything. This isn’t your fault, Lena.”
In the heat of the moment, he didn’t even catch himself using her nickname. If she hadn’t been so worried at that moment, butterflies would have filled her stomach.
“They’re…trying to say he was disloyal. Whatever happened had nothing to do with you," the promise was firm and true. It had nothing to do with her…but both of them also knew it couldn’t possibly have been a justified firing either. Robert R. felt tears prick at his eyes and threaten to fall. He didn’t want to imagine how scared Reed R. must have been in those last moments but he found himself imagining it anyway.
Yelena B. noticed immediately and wrapped her arms around him, pressing two kisses to his cheek. His hands came up to hold onto her arms and he leaned his head against hers. They sat on the sinks in silence for a few minutes, letting time pass. Eventually, Robert R. heaved a breath, letting his chest rise and fall at full capacity before sliding off the sink to stand back on the floor. He offered his hands to her and she took them, hopping down.
“I’m so sorry about Reed R., Bob…”
He didn’t know how to respond-- how to even begin to process this situation. Regardless, he was grateful for her presence and her words. He leaned down and pressed a light kiss atop her head.
Towards the end of the day, Ava S., John W., and Yelena B. were all called into the hallway by Mel and given the news about Reed R.'s departure. Perhaps Mel excluded Robert R. in order to attempt to spare his feelings as effectivly as she could. He watched them all go and come back with changed expressions. Yelena B. eyed Robert R. for a moment before sitting back down at her desk. Afterwards, Mel left the MDR group with promises that she would return with a surprise that would be sure to “turn their frowns upside down.”
Once they were left alone, John W. spoke up first, “Well shit, we lost a good one.”
Robert R. felt slightly irked, “Is that all you have to say? He was here for an entire year.”
“I’m not sure we should be talking about this,” Ava S.’s eyes flicked to the security camera then back to her computer.
“We should be allowed to process our feelings,” Yelena B. said, looking at Robert R., “We are all human, after all.”
He smiled softly at her, feeling his heart swell at the way she had his back. Maybe for outies, it would be too early to think of being in love, but he certainly felt like he was when he looked at her.
“It does suck, though,” John W. lamented, “And he worked hard, so where does that leave the rest of us?”
None of them spoke up, each wishing they had an answer to provide. Ava S. glanced at the security camera one more time before saying, “We did indeed lose a good one. I hope his outie finds happiness…”
John W. nodded in agreement, seeming pleased that Ava S. was willing to speak up now.
Within a few minutes, Mel returned with a big cart.
“MDE…” John W. muttered quietly, watching her.
Yelena B. looked at him, still entirely new to all of this, “MDE?”
“Music Dance Experience,” Ava S. clarified.
“That it is,” Mel confirmed, “Welcome to Music Dance Experience! Valentina felt you could all use one to help lift your spirits after Reed R.’s unfortunate sudden departure. Robert R. since you were his closest friend, we have decided you are the winner and get to select both the music and one accessory.”
Robert R. was surprised. He had never been picked for MDE before. His friends watched as he rose from his swivel chair and made his way over to the smiling Mel. She gestured to the accessories. He reached down absentmindedly and picked up a tambourine.
“The tambourine is a great choice,” Mel confirmed, handing Robert R. the menu of musical choices. He took it with a hand that tried not to shake at the thought of the circumstance the party was being thrown under. His eyes scanned it. There were so many choices: Bawdy Funk. Spooky Ambient. Tearful Emo-- that last one could be appropriate. But another type of music caught his eye anyway.
“How about Defiant Jazz?”
Mel’s smile only grew as she plucked the menu from his hands, “Defiant Jazz it is!”
As the music began, she adjusted the lights to radiant changing colors. Yelena B. looked around in awe. Jazz filled the air, John W. slightly bobbing in his chair. Ava S. stood and attempted to get into it. Mel was by far the most enthusiastic, encouraging them all to join. Yelena B. made her way over to Robert R., who played the tambourine and watched her approach.
She began to sway, getting into it. She threw in a spin here and there, making him chuckle. She was so cute. He wanted so desperately to reach out and hold her. To put his hands on her hips while hers drifted to his shoulders. To lift her in the air. To dip her and pull her into a kiss…but this wasn’t the bathroom. Innies could only love in private.
The two danced around each other, never touching but always coming dangerously close. Someday they might be caught, but it wouldn’t be today.
Severed Lumon employees left the office at staggered times in order to avoid running into each other on the outside. John W. left first tonight, tossing his coat over his shoulder after the Music Dance Experience and seeming a little worn out from the day-- surely they all felt it in some capacity. Ava S. left next, touching Robert R.’s shoulder lightly and giving it a squeeze in silent solidarity. He appreciated how well she understood.
Robert R. and Yelena B. approached the elevator together, her being scheduled to leave first. She turned to him in front of the elevator, “I’m really sorry about Reed...I know I sound like a broken record.”
“No, it’s alright,” Robert R. assured her, “The MDE didn’t exactly help.”
“No?”
He shook his head, “No, what really lifted my spirits today was you. I don’t know what I’d do without you, Lena.”
Her breath caught in her throat for a moment. She looked at the security camera in the corner before stepping slightly closer and whispering, “If I could kiss you right now, I would.”
He smiled, “So would I. But hey, there’s always the bathroom tomorrow.”
Yelena B. gave him a gentle playful push and started to turn toward the opening doors before he caught her arm. She turned back around, surprised.
“Hey,” he said, his voice remaining quiet, “I don’t always know what’s going on here but after today, I feel like I should probably start asking some questions.”
Her surprise remained but she nodded slowly. He continued, “There’s only one thing I’m entirely sure of and I’m sorry if it’s too early but...I love you.”
Her eyes widened as he let go of her arm, “You do?”
“Yeah, and if the security camera picks that up then so be it.”
She looked disbelieving for a moment before a huge smile came onto her face, “I love you too, Bob.”
His chest constricted. She really loved him too?!
He pulled her into a hug without a second thought. There were no rules against hugs. In fact, friendly relationships between employees were highly encouraged. She whispered in his ear as he held her, “And when you want to start asking questions, I’ll be right there with you.”
Gratitude filled his heart and he missed her warmth the second she stepped away. She looked at him with love-filled eyes before putting on her best casual expression, “See you tomorrow, Robert R.”
He gave a little wave and a lopsided smile, “See you then, Yelena B.”
She disappeared behind the doors and he sighed.
After a moment of her absence, his thoughts swam back to Reed R. Ava’s words rang true for him as well: he hoped Reed’s outie was happy at least...
The elevator doors slid open and Robert R. stepped inside. They closed and up he went, holding onto a few more seconds of thinking about Yelena B. before she disappeared from his head. His eyes blinked and his face turned up. Then, he left the elevator.
Bob Reynolds was back on the outside.
Thoughts of Lindy filled him as he left the Lumon building and he tried to push them away. He had just gotten off of work. As he descended the staircase, he noticed a blonde young woman standing on the sidewalk, seemingly waiting for a cab. She looked in his direction and his breath caught in his throat momentarily from how beautiful she was. He almost stumbled and she looked concerned, “Are you okay?”
He reddened slightly, “Yeah…I’m fine.”
Bob reached the bottom of the stairs, “You work here I take it?”
She nodded, “Severed floor.”
“Oh-- me too! We are definitely not supposed to be talking to each other.”
She looked equally surprised, “Definitely not.”
Still, there was no desperation in her to get away, so he didn’t move either. She spoke up again after a moment, “Do you ever wonder what they-- we do down there?”
“All the time,” Bob rocked on his heels.
“Maybe we know each other down there,” she said, “Maybe we’re friends.”
“If we are then they’re definitely not going to be happy about this.”
He gestured between them and she laughed. A cab pulled up to the curb and she started to approach it but he was quicker. He pulled the door open for her and she smiled, “Thanks!”
“My pleasure,” he replied as she slid in. He closed the door behind her and she peeked out through the open window.
“What’s your name by the way?”
Bob looked around then pointed to himself, “Me? Doesn’t that totally oppose the rules?”
She nodded, “Some rules are meant to be broken. I’m Yelena.”
“Bob,” the word slipped out before he could overthink it.
“Bob…that’s cute,” she smiled. He felt himself redden even more and then watched her disappear to speak with the driver for a moment before popping her head out again, “Goodnight, Bob.”
“Goodnight, Yelena,” he called back. Her cab pulled away from the curb and he watched it drive out of sight.
For the rest of that entire night, Lindy didn’t cross his mind once.