As soon as John stepped into the office, he knew he was in deep trouble. The muffled sounds of laughter, the constant typing of keys, and the general buzz of people working filled the air, and he felt overwhelmed and insignificant. He had been looking for a job for months and finally got a job as an office clerk in a large corporation. Yet, he could hardly keep up with the fast pace and the high demands of his new workplace.
His supervisor was a tall, stern woman named Mrs. Brown, who had been working for the company for over twenty years. She was known for her demanding nature and her sharp tongue, and John had been warned to steer clear of her bad side. However, on his first day, he made the mistake of asking her a question, and now she seemed to be looking for any excuse to criticize him.
Days turned into weeks, and John found himself slipping into a depression. He missed his old life and his dreams of becoming a writer. He felt like he was merely another cog in The Crowd, the countless masses of people who work tirelessly and unnoticed, hoping to merely get by. However, he always found solace in Jane, his loving wife, who worked as a saleswoman to make ends meet.
Jane was the light of his life, and she was always supportive, even when he was at his lowest point. She always encouraged him to pursue his dreams, and their love for each other was the only thing that kept John going.
One day, John overheard a group of co-workers talking about the upcoming company talent show. They were joking about it, saying that the show was just a way for the company to get cheap entertainment. However, John saw this as an opportunity.
He had always loved to write, and he had an idea for a play that he thought the company would love. So, he began working on a script in secret, pouring his heart and soul into the story. It was a dark comedy that explored the monotony of office work and the absurdities of corporate culture.
Days turned into nights, and John lost track of time as he wrote furiously. However, he was careful not to let anyone in the company know what he was doing. He didn’t want to risk his job or his reputation.
Finally, the day of the talent show arrived. John’s heart raced as he sat in the audience, watching his co-workers perform. There were singers, dancers, and even a few magicians. The audience laughed, applauded and cheered. John was nervous but excited.
Finally, it was his turn. He walked onto the stage, clutching his script, not knowing what to expect. The audience fell silent, and John began to read his play. As he spoke, he could feel the audience’s attention grow. They chuckled at the jokes, and soon, they were laughing uproariously.
As he finished, the audience erupted into applause, cheering and whistling. Mrs. Brown, who had been sitting in the front row with a stern expression, even stood up and clapped. John could not believe what he was seeing. He had always been afraid of The Crowd, but now, he was amazed by their reaction.
Days later, John received an invitation to meet with the company’s CEO. As he sat across from the CEO, he felt awestruck and intimidated. However, the CEO was friendly and congratulated him on his successful play. He even offered John a promotion, saying that the company was looking for a new writer to create content for their marketing department.
John could not believe his ears. He had always dreamed of being a writer, and now, he had been given the opportunity of a lifetime. As he left the CEO’s office, he felt a sense of elation. The Crowd no longer seemed so frightening. He had been able to reach out to them through his writing, and they had acknowledged him.
On his way home, John stopped by a bookstore and bought a notebook. He smiled as he wrote down yet another idea for a story. He felt alive again, and he knew that he would never forget the sense of accomplishment he felt when he made The Crowd laugh.
