Back Office

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The cage was set
A long-stemmed tropical plant stood in a cracked pot to one side
Four desks faced each other waiting all night long
The vertical nylon blades of the blinds waiting to be turned into the sun
A few plastic phones silently witnessing the dawn’s promise
The fire-door opened
Squeaking before its base-drum beat for her an entrance cue

 

 

The rituals of arrival were exercised one by one
A summer jacket draped on the back of a chair marked the territory
The stapler taken from a drawer had a label selotaped to its base
Chess pieces moved into offensive positions
Her tippex putting his bishop under threat