Lisa knew what Milo Sacks, head of the processing department, wanted when he dressed like a “nice boss” for Halloween. Milo may have been wearing pinstripes like he was in Mary Poppins or a Barber Shop Quartet, but this was calculating. He ruled by fear every other day, and this was a tactic.
Milo wanted everyone to see that he had a nice side and accept him. Lisa watched as her coworkers praised the nice version of Milo, but this was feeding into his plan.
Lisa was working at her computer in a cubicle when Milo appeared and, in a singsong voice, said, “How about some candy, to make your work dandy?”
Lisa, wearing cat ears, scooted back in her chair.
“What?” Milo asked. “Sugar allergy?”
“Deception allergy,” Lisa said. She said this loudly enough for her coworkers to hear. “I don’t like being lied to.”
“How am I lying?” Milo said with a smile.
“Well, either you’re nice all the time, and you pretend to rule with an iron fist, or you’re using this to get back at us later.”
Milo’s face twisted. He looked angry.
“When I’m done with you…” Milo began, and then he saw everyone looking at him.
“So you’re not nice?” Lisa said. “That clears things up. I feel better.”
Milo stormed out of the cubicle. Lisa waited until she heard his door slam and said to her coworkers. “I have candy for everyone—no songs attached.”