“I don’t understand why you had to into the situation. You weren’t even assigned to the case. Going through the case files, trying to find information that you have no right to? What? Were you trying to get us into trouble?” I asked Mr. Lim.

“No, I… Okay, I wanted that case. I knew it better than the people you assigned. I just wanted to…”

“Couldn’t you have come to me about this? Why did you have to create trouble? Look, the client thinks you’re just helping out, so you’re not getting in trouble this time. But, if you come anywhere close to this case again…”

“Look, I can seriously help. Just hear me out.”

I looked at his sweaty, nervous face and then at this shaking hands. He might just have important information to share. However, he had made a transgression on his part.

“You can talk to Mr. Park and tell him what you need to. However, you can only assist on the case, if he thinks you’re actually contributing anything at all.”

He nodded, before getting up and leaving. I had had enough of this kind of flagrant behavior. I would no longer stand for it. This would be the last time I would give anyone any kind of pass. They always take it easy with me because I’m younger than them. Well, no longer.

I decided that despite letting him work the case, I would write not only him, but the past three misdemeanors up and submit them by the end of the day.

My rage fueled emails were very scathing but I’d already pressed send and the only reason I’d realized my error in judgment was when my boss wrote me back saying that I needed to ask these people to meet him. Of course, I couldn’t not tell them, and that’s what led to me emailing him and asking him to let me talk to them once more. He agreed after about two emails and then, I called them in, one by one, and actually showed them a) my email to the boss b) his response.

I explained to them that even though the mails were rage fueled, the words weren’t inaccurate. They needed to be more considerate of the positions assigned to them. If they couldn’t be so, they should speak with me and not be inconsiderate of the procedure in the office. It took me a while to get through to them that this was a serious matter. Of course, it was because it was taking so long that I decided to show them the boss’ reply. The apologies only came from three out of four of the candidates.

“Why should I apologize? I think it was obvious that I wanted the case. I had the best arguments for it and…”

“Who, other than you, says that you did? No one. Everyone agreed that Yu was better. Moreover, I don’t think that’s a valid argument at all. You do not respect procedure. You often do not submit paperwork on time. You are consistently late to work, and you have messed up five out of seven of your previous cases. Why do you think you weren’t chosen? I wrote an individualized email for you, because there were so many extra complaints to log. Also, you have consistently underperformed just because you didn’t feel connected to the case. Your words not mine. I will be sending another report to the boss. You can speak with him next.”

“Wha-?” He trailed off, his eyes widening.

“Do you think I called you in here just for fun? The boss wanted to talk to you himself, however, I did not wish to get you into trouble. I will be collecting all the documentation and information required and I will be submitting it. This meeting, as I told you, is being recorded and I will attach the recordings and send it to him, as well. You can leave now. Thank you.”

“But…”

“You had your chance, Mr. Jung. I’ve got nothing else to say. And, there’s nothing that you could say now that I’d want to hear.”

He chose not to argue and bowed before leaving the room. I uploaded everything and sent it to the boss before logging off and entering my leaving time at the desk. It was already eight thirty and Hyun Woo had already been here for fifteen minutes. I told him, I’d be an hour late and he’d arrive fifteen minutes early.

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