It was a slow day. Another slow day. Vance could not believe his misfortune. Four straight days of mind-numbing pencil-pushing and record-keeping, and judging by the clock turning noon, this day was shaping up to be the fifth. Weren't Fridays supposed to be the best days of the working week? Not for him. Work always was a drag. His tired eyes scanned over the harsh glow of the computer screen as his fingers were a flurry over the blocky keyboard. Expenditures, profit margins, sales, refunds, words that meant everything and nothing entered his mind to be replaced by the next lot of banal business lexicon. Ugh. He started this day planning to skip out on lunch to stay on top of his workload, but the aching pains of his claws clicking against the peripherals screamed at him to rest his body and mind from office work. Vance leaned back in his chair, using his weight to shift himself away from his desk, and stood up. Without even turning his head or blinking, he pivoted his body and began trudging down to the coffee machine. At the end of the room.
The rich, smoky elixir of cheap coffee would soothe his nerves. As bad as it was, he couldn't help but mumble in mild excitement at the mere thought of the coffee machine. He needed a cup. Better yet, the break lounge was empty—all of his co-workers were elsewhere. Maybe they got the message from his wordless growls at their many previous attempts at communication and backed off as they saw him pass their cubicles. Whatever reason, he would not complain. Vance just didn't like social interaction. He was a lone wolf—literally—and while he appreciated the abstract idea of 'camaraderie', he enjoyed being by himself.
Yes, as he stood in front of the dated coffee maker, the frowning wolf felt quite at peace with everything — "Hi, Vance!"
He recognized that voice, and like that, a brooding, inescapable ether of disappointment replaced the mood. Craning his neck, he saw the dog secretary that ensured his days at work were never tranquil or relaxing. Abby.
"Fancy seeing you here, huh?" She leaned in, trying to make up for the obvious height difference between them. Her paws were behind her back as she tilted her head, no doubt trying to make herself seem cute. "I was just going on my lunch break and thought, 'whoa! I need some coffee!' What a coincidence, huh?"
Not really. The company only purchased two percolators. Abby smiled, waiting for an answer. It took a few seconds before Vance realized he had to respond.
He used his unused voice to speak instead of just making noise in the shape of words, like he usually did. "Yeah… that's pretty unlikely."
He was lying through his oversized canines with that comment, but he knew it was the expected response for mind-numbing small talk. No amount of coffee could make this conversation any less painful.
Abby stepped closer to his side. "How's work treating you?"
"Work is fine," he said.
"You know what they say, to find joy at work is to discover the fountain of youth!" She giggled, a hand covering her mouth in a show of politeness.
Vance grunted noncommittally. That was a horrendous joke, one so terrible he almost laughed at its arbitrariness. This entire day was shaping up to be so awful that the last thing Vance wanted was to express joy. He'd rather be left alone.
Her dog tail wagged behind her. "So, um… are you hungry? You look like you could use a bite or two. I'm gonna go get something myself. Maybe we can eat together? What do ya think?" He looked at Abby, wondering whether she was serious about the offer. She was—she probably thought that he'd enjoy company while eating lunch—but if that was all she meant, he couldn't fault her for trying. He needed some food after the boring morning. Maybe it would even be nice to talk with someone for once. "… Okay."
Abby smiled widely. "Great! Let's meet up at the cafeteria, okay?" She turned on her heel and walked off, leaving Vance behind. He felt himself sighing in relief as he watched her retreating backside. The wolfman stood there, holding his empty coffee mug in both hands. His gaze wandered over the office that he worked in, looking around without really seeing anything. Great. Now he had plans.
***
By the time Vance had arrived at the cafeteria, his mood had worsened again. He picked the nearest table to sit; a quiet corner table. Ah, here were the rest of his co-workers—in their own cliques, sat together on identical chairs and tables. Vance almost felt peaceful sitting and watching his peers, basking in the paradoxical nature of his lonesome state and the populated room he found himself in. Terry was once again trying to show Max his magic tricks; Amanda was intruding upon Lily's personal space, but most curious of all was the fast-approaching canine—his smile vanished. Oh. Right. It was time already. He looked down at himself, running a finger over the scruff of his wolf's mane.
Abigail was wearing a childlike smile as she sauntered towards him. Some workers glanced at the petite dog girl with curious expressions, others seemed more irritated by her mere presence like Vance was. But she was focused, head slightly tilted upwards in determination as she made a beeline toward the wolfman's table. Forcing herself directly into his field of view, Abigail gave an enthusiastic wave—the motion causing the loose strands of her fluffy orange hair to sway before she continued, "Hey, you came! Let's eat together, Vance!"
The wolf nodded his head slowly, his weight leaning on one hand as he placed his other hand on the table. With a last glance to his nearest exit before looking straight at Abigail, he said, "Yeah. Alright." She blinked a few times in glee as she took a seat, buzzing.
"So, what'll you be having?" The question said was shallow, at least from Vance's perspective, but it triggered his mind to mull over the choices the cafeteria were offering, namely