A Smile for Boss

Walking to work, Alice stares straight ahead. If you wave to catch her attention. She won't see you. Don't take it personally. She’s on a mission. Alice must arrive at the Glass Tower no later than 9 am. The Davids are waiting. On her walk, dead leaves slick the ground, and uncollected dog shit. Her home was once “Beautiful B.C.” Now, Vancouver reminds Alice of the dystopian city in Blade Runner—a city with ever-present darkness. Rain sneaks over the top of Alice's boots and cloaks her feet in a damp hug. Music streams through her AirPods, and her heart keeps the beat while her feet hit the street. Algorithms select an 80s song by Soft Cell, and when Alice hears it, she laughs and whispers to the rain, Spotify really gets me.

“She's a secretary in the daytime. A smile for boss. And she's doing fine.”