It all started when...

The morning started off like any other, a cold walk to work on a dark winter morning. I struggle along the icy streets with my head down. Even half asleep, my feet found their way to the looming building like a pair shuffling blood hounds. Maybe this practice and perfect thing had merit. I headed straight through the entrance to the elevators and savored the fleeting moment of mechanical silence as it rose to the third floor. The silence was always short lived. Shattered by the all-to familiar ding which signaled my arrival. I stepped through the doors into the work day, the familiar hum of florescent lights and muffled morning whispers washing over me.

After a quick stop inside my office to toss my still frozen jacket, I made the bleary trip to the kitchen for a much needed serving of office coffee. The stuff smelled like diesel and tasted even worse; but when the coffees free, you drink it. A few hungry gulps of hellfire and I was ready to face the day. Or at least I thought I was.  

The return trip to my office was cut short by a rap on the glass from Ryan’s office as I passed. Stephen and Ryan were both waving me in.

“Maximum Effort” I groaned entering the office.