The Ink Well

Nobody Else Was Coming

By 7: 23 pm, everyone at work has gone home and found a way to leave.

"There is something I needed to attend to before 5 pm," Eunice said while already holding her bag.

"Likewise myself," James replied.

No one questioned them to ask where.

I was still in the office because I needed to print some documents, but the printer has decided to choose that evening to misbehave.

It has been coming on and going off. Double printing then making some unusual noise, but no one payed attention to it, afterall, they were not using it that moment and no one to blame. Now that everyone has left the office, the way the printer was doing seems too personal including the unusual signs it was giving.

I unplugged it while I also pull out the paper tray.

Still nothing.

I moved it towards the AC and also checked the ink roller.

Still the same thing.

Then I saw it.

A shit of paper had already been stucked the mouth where the paper do come from, folder in a way no one can easily see and seems impossible to remove.

I tried using a ruler to remove it.

It keeps tearing.

"Ouch," I muttered.

The office building was already so quiet except for the sound of the printer. Looking outside the window, it was already getting dark and the sky closing. I checked my phone. Saw some messages from my flatmate and a missed call.

I shouldn't have waited this long.

The printer won't cooperate after all..

I continued using the ruler to remove the remaining pieces gradually and steadily with enough patience. After a lot of attempts. I finally pulled out the last piece.

I pressed the power button, I gave the usual sound. I pressed the off button and powered it on again. The machine came alive. The page came out without doubling. Then another and the next.

I smiled..

"After so much stress and delay, you have got to be kidding me." I said to myself.

I continued printing the rest of the documents I was printing before I came up with that issue without stress this time.

I stood beside it as I watched everything piling up as they were coming out.

Then that was when the security walked by. He opened the door, looked at me, then the printer. Greeted me and said:

“You're still here?”

I replied while point at the machine.

He nodded slowly.

"Well done, this your work is a tough one. But someone needs to do it."

I looked at him.

"Yes, it has to be done and that is why I'm still here this late."

He smiled.

" Others have left you to do it. They must have seen you to be the hardworking and smart one who can handle things."

Then he came in to sit.

That moment, I felt like telling him the ordeal I have passed through before he came but I looked at the time again.

It's already few minutes past 7 pm.

"Next time, I won't wait to get this fixed." I said.

He laughed as we walked out together as he went to check the other offices.

The office lights switched off behind me.

I wasn't sure if I found a solution to the problem or just taught everyone who went home that they have someone who can continue solving their problems.

Either way, I knew one thing.

Next time, I'm not waiting behind to fix it.

AI image used.

WELCOME TO MY BLOG AND THANKS FOR READING.💚

©️ wildscribe.

Comments · 3

@thereeyorfamily(58)· 1d
Sometimes, being the one who always gets things done can quietly become a trap. This was a simple story with a powerful lesson: helping is good, but people can easily get comfortable leaving the responsibility to you. Great one.
@theinkwell(74)· 1d
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