The Empty Suit

Illustration by Bob AulSend anonymous thanks, confessions or accusations —changing or deleting the names of the guilty and innocent—to "Hey, You!" c/oOC Weekly, P.O. Box 10788, Costa Mesa, CA 92627-0247, or e-mail us.

Hey, Mr. CEO: I sat just two cubes down from your office. During the three months that I worked for your company, I always made it a point to say hello—every time we passed in the halls, I looked you professionally in the eye, smiled and said hello. After looking me right in the eye for a second, you looked at the wall, the ceiling and your shoe, and then brushed past me without saying a word. Your exaggerated efforts to avoid eye contact were more work than grunting hello would have been. On about our 10th encounter, we passed in a narrow walkway, and you finally grunted good morning—to a machine on your left. Great example for the team, Mr. CEO.