Knock it Down

“It’s not that bad, once you get past the initial shock. It makes you… unique!”

“By unique, you obviously mean ‘like a freak’. I’m getting it fixed as soon as I get the hell out of here–even if my hair falls out! Even a wig would be better than this.”

“Well, don’t be in too much of a hurry… Mr. Douglas is looking for you.”

“Can this day possibly get any worse?”

“I’ve got a client. See ya later, flossy!”

No sooner did the angry words leave my mouth did Mr. Douglas walk in. He gave me a funny look and I wasn’t sure if it was due to my hair or what I had just said. For once, I hoped it was my hair.

“Nice hair.”

I made a face. “Thanks.”

“But to the point… Beryl, I’m going to have to let you go.”

“What?!”

“Really, now, let’s not make a scene… it’s just, we don’t feel you’re right for this company. You don’t fit the culture. You’re not projecting the right ‘image’ to our client base.”

“Are you kidding me? Have you forgotten who brought in all these damn clients?”

“Have your things cleared out by the end of the day and make sure you turn in your key to my secretary. Oh, and don’t do anything you’ll regret… I’ve got security on call, just in case. Good day, Miss. Cross.”

“Why is this happening to me?!”

My life was quickly spiraling downward and I couldn’t figure out why. I guess if I had paid better attention, I would have seen it all coming… but I’ve never been a keen observer. I’m pretty content to just drift along with whatever life hands me. I’m pretty much the opposite of every design major I graduated with. Now that I think back on it… maybe I’m a sham, after all. A wolf in sheep’s clothing or something.

The rest is kinda a blur. Fragments of what I can recall, the rest lost in the bottle. I’ll admit it, I kinda lost it after that. I stomped out of the building and wandered aimlessly until my legs were so tired I couldn’t walk any further. I stumbled onto some weird club and went inside. Normally I’d avoid these places, but I needed a drink… badly. Anything to numb both the throbbing pain in my legs and head, and to forget about this awful head of pink candy floss hair.

I was really, really stupid. I mean, even more stupid than I usually am. Maybe my real hair color is blonde, I dunno. Either way, I drank like I’ve never drank before. I was never a partier, even in college… if I did go, I’d have just a drink. I was too dull and boring to let loose. Wow, did that ever come back and bite me in the ass… it’s amazing all the things you think about when you’re dying. No wonder I didn’t get a cool montage–my life was lame.