She was running to get to work in time, she has been tardy these past few days, she held the automatic door before it closed and entered the factory, She bent over and placed her hands on her knees, breathing heavily.
you are late. her supervisor said standing next to her.
Wa wait, I a I am, Ahhhh, she spoke gibberish as she lifted her left hand motioning for him to pause.
I need air, She said standing up fanning herself with her hands.
She gathered herself for a minute, then breathed out slowly holding her abdomen.
You are late, he said again.
Didn't you see me just run in here? I I had to run three blocks to get here, be because the driver driving the taxi I entered had an heart attack, I had to call 911 and wait till they came, I coul, I couldn't find another taxi, then! I had to run all the way here, on foot. she tried to explain.
Save it, you know what Miss Freeman? I am beginning to think that your not taking your job seriously, one more lateness and I'll have to take your case to the HOD. He said.
Fine, she grumbled, Am sorry sir, she said holding her bag.
The supervisor's name was Sydney but he prefers to be called Mr Calvery , he was really Good to look at and he was an eyesaw for most female worker's here, the HOD had specifically placed Willow under his care to help her through the factory work this week.
Willow was so focused on the ladder she had envisioned in her head, she had to start from the button to get to the top she tells herself.
***.
The factory smelt like sadness, there were so many smells going on in this building that my nose couldn't pinpoint a particular one, was it the smell of polythene? or every other smell my nose was perceiving?.
I Have been working here for about three days now, and I don't see the need for his supervisions anymore, the machines do all the work anyways.
Why are you here again? I asked Mr tight sleeves as he watched me arranged open bags of chips in the sealing machine. He remained silent.
He's been working here for just some weeks but he acts like he's the CEO of the company, why do I always get paired up with people like this?.
you know, I already know all there is to know about wrapping and sealing, do you really have to watch me as I work? aren't there other newbies who would appreciate your supervision?. I continued still going on with my work.
Him standing there made me uncomfortable and anxious I didn't want to mess up my work.
You talk too much, you are under my mentorship.
Mentorship? Sir this is a FAC-TO-RY I thought.
I'm just doing my Job, Miss Freeman, I'll be out of you hair in no time. He added.
I grumbled as I adjusted my gloves, lunch break was at 11:30am and it was still 9:00am time seemed slow today, I get off work by 2:00pm That still leaves me with about six hours of idleness I need to get a second job, and I need to get it fast.
After awhile of working, we heard a loud scream at the end of the factory hall, there were murmurs everywhere and people began walking to that direction, I looked at Mr Calvary and he looked at me, we both hurriedly ran to the direction of the noise.
people gathered around him, he was sitting on the floor and there was blood on the floor and on his clothes, He held his fingers close to his chest, it seamed like he was in so much pain. I felt sick in my stomach, like I was about to throw up because there was blood everywhere, my heart started racing and everyone kept talking no one was trying to help him, just staring down at him, like this was a normal scene.
He needs air, Mr Calvary said pushing people back entering full supervisor mode, Get me a first aid kit, he said looking at me.
Me? I just got here how am I supposed to know where the first aid box is I yelled in my head.
Where? i asked.
Under my desk he yelled. And call the Ambulance.
I didn't know when my legs moved on its own, and I was running to the direction of his desk, his desk was at the second floor on other end of the factory, I ran as fast as my leg could carry me then took out my phone to call 911. I was scared but Adrenalin was gushing through my body.
Hello 911, How can we help you? the voice from the other end said.
I, I erm, There's been a factory incident an, and we need an ambulance, please hurry the man is loosing alot of blood, I tried speaking as I pushed his door open to get to his office.
Calm down Miss, we'll be right there we just need you to tell us the address can you do that for us? The person asked.
I Erm, it's. I'm sorry I don't know the ad address I ju I just started working here, but I do know some landmarks it's the factory of ATTORNEYS AND FOOD, I tried.
Okay, ma'am you did a great job we'll send our paramedics and they would be right there. Thank you.
The call ended and I ran with the bag as fast as I could.
Here! I said dropping it next to Mr calvary.
The man on the floor was missing three of his fingers and blood was gushing out of it.
I Bit my palm, and started to panic.
Mr Calvary opened the bag and brought out some antiseptic and antibiotics, he helped the man with his wounds he seems to know what he was doing, and how to do it, he wasn't panicking like the rest of us he was calm and collective.
Did you call for help? he asked.
and more than three of us yelled yes.
I couldn't imagine what pain he most have been going through or how he even got into this incident.
Not too long the paramedics came, and they took to him to their ambulance to finish the rest of the treatment. They commended calvary for his fast thinking.
My heart was still racing is this the life of working in a factory?, Everyday coming in here with the fear that one day you might loose your fingers at the back of your head. I couldn't do it, I just couldn't, I needed to look for a way to climb faster, I thought as I held my fingers.
It's okay, he said walking up to me, he was sweating now and he loosened his tie and unbutton a few buttons.
It's alright, you can get back to work everyone, and please be more careful he said waving everyone off as they all went back to their various positions of work, I kept looking at the blood on the floor, and as I looked around I wasn't the only one.
I breathed out slowly, sitting on the chair near my work post.
Here.
I looked up and saw Mr calvary offering me a bottle of water.
Thanks I slowly took it and drank from it, but the water didn't settle, it only upset my stomach even more, I place the bottle by my side.
You were so brave out there, I said.
He chuckled, it's part of my Job, I am the supervisor he said.
hmmm you really do take your job seriously huh. I said almost to myself.
Of course I do have been working here for over two year now, and I only got promoted because I put the needs of others before mine, that's the attribute of a true leader. He explained.
two years? I heard you've been working here for a few weeks I blurted out loud.
Yeah I have only been a supervisor for just some weeks but as a factory worker two years, I was hand picked by Mr Anthony himself for this position he bragged.
Okay get back to work Miss Freeman he said standing up and walking to the direction of his office.
Would I have to work here for two years before I get any sort of promotions? That was the question I asked myself.