Must be Summer

 

Most folks are on vacation at the office and it's quiet and slow - orderwise. It's actually rather nice and relaxing. The frenetic pace has dissipated a lot and it leaves more water cooler time for catching up with each other. Ever noticed how sometimes these can get so busy that someone's not missed until after they've been gone one week? It gets like that a lot at the office, so it's nice when there's time to check in with each other.



Since the sexual assault in the parking lot, building security and the sheriffs department are now assisting with all requests for escort to one's car. Prior to this horrible incident, you couldn't get security, let alone a sheriff, to escort you for any reason.



Requests for escort have been numerous and, since the sheriffs already used the Segway Human Transporter, now they're loaning them to the building security to facilitate partrol and escort. One guard told me he spent the last four hours of his shift escorting women to their cars. Many were too uncomfortable and afraid even in groups.



I was using the stairs to traverse floors and exercise. Now, I don't use them anymore. Many other women I used to see on occasion are no longer using the stairwells either. It's a pathetic existence and reality that was highlighted this afternoon, when word spread that a sheriff thought he'd spotted the accused rapist, but lost him in the crowd. Once again we were on alert and encouraged to remain in our respective office spaces until the search had been concluded.