500 years passed, we are already in the 21st century on Earth.

“John your order is already 5 minutes late. Why have not delivered yet?” asked an angry fat man who was the manager of a Pizza restaurant.

“Sir, Pizza was not cooked properly, so, I had to recook it before I re-serve it,” John said timidly.

“Why was it not cooked, are you slacking in work again? You know what John, your salary has been cut by another Rs500 this month effective from today.” said the manager in a righteous tone.

Few employees felt disgusted by the manager’s acting but they didn’t show it on their faces. Unlike other restaurants, their salary would be first credited to the manager, and depending on the performance of the employees, he would assign their salary at the end of the month. It was created to ‘encourage’ the performance of the workers but unfortunately, it was being used by the vile manager to pocket more money.

One may ask why didn’t they complain? Few did, but they were no longer employees in the restaurant, and as far as those who resigned, unable to tolerate the shitty farce, were still unemployed because of the back door pettiness by the Manager. On average, employees would have to get Rs10000. But after the manager’s intervention, they hardly got around Rs7000.

John wanted to argue that there was a power cut but he knew if he said that, the manager would again retort by telling ‘Are you talking back to your superior? I will cut another Rs500 for your insubordination.’

On the other hand, if he remained silent, again the manager would retort by telling ‘Are you showing contempt to your Superior? I will cut another Rs500 for your misbehavior.’

Therefore he immediately bowed and said with a remorse look “Sorry manager, this subordinate has learned his mistake. I will work hard not to let you down again. Please accept my sincere apology.”

John’s colleagues who were watching on the side snickered inside their head ‘Nice bootlicking. Keep it up.’

The manager was slightly disappointed for not getting another opportunity to cut down John’s salary. It was as if he was entitled to John’s salary but he was pleased by the bootlicking. Moreover, he knew, he should not go overboard otherwise if they leave, he would miss out on trimming a fat chicken.

The manager magnanimously said “as long as you understand I have no problem. What are you guys looking at? Do you feel that your salaries are too high?”

Everyone scrambled as if they just heard a grim reaper. John thanked the manager once again and continued his work. Anyone can see that his clothes were worn out due to repeated washing. He had a face that if left in public then no one would take a second look.

John didn’t mind ass-kissing his superior as he felt that it was a normal thing to survive in the world. He had no such thing as the bottom line. Just like others, he was also not satisfied with the manager’s behavior but he had no plans to switch jobs. He knew how difficult it was to get a new job.

John completed his work and started walking towards his 2nd hand bicycle. He abruptly stopped when he saw a group of ex-classmates walking past his bicycle. He felt like his knees go weak. He silently turned backward and hid behind a nearby tree.

His heart was beating like a drum. His whole body was drenched in sweat. He tried to calm down but when he felt someone poking his shoulder from behind, he couldn’t help but scream but he managed to put his hand on his mouth in time.

He slowly turned backward like a robot.

“Thank God! You nearly scared me to death.”

He wiped his sweat as if he had just run a marathon. On the opposite stood his coworker Peter, who was equally shocked by John’s strange behavior. Peter was a well-built middle-aged man who was very friendly to everyone.

“What happened john? Why are you hiding like this? Who are those people?”

John didn’t know what to say, he couldn’t possibly tell that he was expelled from his college due to cheating on an exam. He was too ashamed to face his ex-classmates let alone request the college Principal for reconsideration of his expulsion. He simply disconnected from his friends to forget about his past and started a new life working in a pizza restaurant.

Unfortunately for him, things didn’t go as he wished. He didn’t want to ‘corrupt’ his new life too so he chose to lie for once.

“It's nothing uncle Peter, I was bullied by them in school days. So I feel insecure facing them.”

His innocent classmates didn’t know that their ex-friend had already tarnished their reputation in front of a stranger. Peter believed John instantly without a hint of suspicion.

“Oh my ……John, it must have been very hard for you. You know what, come with me I will sort out this issue right away.” Peter looked as if he had become an angry bear, seeking justice for its cub.