🥇Corporate quest

— You didn't tell him?

— What could I have said?! – Tatiana exclaimed, genuinely indignant. – As if I know anything about your silly quest!

— Why silly? – Sergey was equally sincerely surprised.

— Because we'll never find ourselves a new IT director this way! – Tatiana, as usual, started to blush from anger. – Since you got promoted, you've been brushing off all the candidates!

— Why does that bother you?

— I'm the HR director, that's why!

— Wait... I got it! – Sergey smiled like a child. – You're burning your bonus, right? For sure, the year's end is near, they'll be calculating KPIs, and you have one of the key positions vacant – IT director.

Tatiana, clearly experiencing a mix of at least two emotions, performed some calming exercise – she took a deep breath, held the air in her lungs for a few seconds, but realizing she was turning even redder from lack of breath, she exhaled noisily. Sergey, as best he could, forced a smile off his face while watching the breathing exercises.

— Sergey... – Tatiana started.

— Alright, you'll get an IT director. – Sergey said seriously. – Is the candidate decent?

— Yes. – Notes of hope sounded in Tatiana's voice. – Here, I brought the resume!

Nervousness from the upcoming resolution of the risky career situation made itself known – Tatiana's hands trembled, and, according to the usual scenario, everything they contained loudly collapsed to the floor. Sergey rushed to help, almost bumping heads with Tatiana, and blushed a little too.

— So... – while crouching, Sergey examined the resume. – Something familiar... What factory is this?

— I worked there. – Tatiana said quietly, looking away. – I know this person. It's... How to put it...

— Husband?

— No!

— Lover?

— What?! – Tatiana jumped up so abruptly that she stumbled from the blood rushing to her head. Or maybe it wasn't blood rushing into her neat, pretty head.

— So who? – Sergey also stood up and looked into Tatiana's eyes.

— You... – gasping for air and words, Tatiana stammered. – You decided to interrogate me...

— Of course not. I just want to understand your motivation. And help. If you don't want to, don't tell. I'm a grave, you know.

— Yes. – Tatiana sat down on the chair, leaned both arms on the table, and held her head in her hands, tousling her hair. – Alright, Sergey. Although… In general…

— Let me guess – he means something to you. – Sergey sat down on the chair next to her. – And you really want this guy… Hold on, I didn’t notice… Is it a guy?

— Yes… What?! – sparks almost flew from Tatiana’s eyes. – What are you hinting at?

— Hinting at nothing. – Sergey, just in case, leaned back a bit along with his chair, which made an unpleasant creaking sound. – Who knows, it could be a sibling or an aunt. What did you think?

— Nothing. – Tatiana hissed angrily. – Are you going to help or not?

— Of course. Just let the standard procedure go through. So that nobody suspects anything. Do you agree?

— Of course! – Tatiana smiled uncertainly. – So, should I invite him?

Sergey couldn’t stop being amazed at how quickly this girl's mood changed. During their conversation – just a few minutes – she swung from a flicker of hope into a chasm of despair, from burning hatred to sincere sympathy, from hissing anger to uncontrollable, breath-taking joy. Whether she was a good actress, or her emotional lability (as it’s called), or… No, it doesn’t seem like she’s showing, and she’s devouring borscht in the kitchen, not strawberries with smoked bacon on the side.

— Invite him. Where is he? Far? Will he be able to come today?

— Yes, he… – Tatiana blushed a little. – He’s already here, sitting in the car in the parking lot.

— Alright, hold on… – Sergey took a resume from the table, found the phone number, and dialed. – Hello! Evgeny? Good afternoon, my name is Sergey Ivanov, the development director at ‘Cube’. Tatiana, the HR director… Well, you know… In short, she gave me your resume, and I’m willing to consider you… Not in the sense of looking at you through a microscope… Anyway, come in, stop sitting around in the car. Just ask the office manager how to find Sergey, I’m the only one. The password at the checkpoint is ‘Star Fleet’. Yes, you don’t need a passport, just say the password. That’s it, I’m waiting.

— Sergey, why did you call yourself? – Tatiana asked tensely.

— Because I know you, Tatiana. Especially since you... well, you're interested in the outcome. If you start getting all emotional, oh my Zhenya, just behave and don't pay any attention to that fool... I promised you I'd hire him. Of course, if he’s not a blatant idiot. The IT director should at least stand out from the rest in some way.

— It would be better not to ask. – Tatiana replied with a weary smile. – As I understand it, I'm not allowed to participate?

— Yes, you're not allowed. Although, you’ve probably already told him something, right?

— I said there's nothing to tell because I don’t know anything.

— Alright. – Sergey raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture. – That’s it, Tatiana, goodbye. See you in a couple of hours.

Tatiana left the office. Sergey, not wasting any time, quickly glanced over the resume again. Nothing suspicious—just an ordinary, unnecessary IT director who didn’t contribute much or create any real problems. Sergey had long wanted to replace this position with a cardboard dummy—like they used to place painted traffic officers on the roads. Cheap, doesn’t require upkeep, lasts for years, and people still get scared. It might even be more useful than having a live person in that role.

Sergey's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. After inviting the person in, the very same Evgeny appeared—fairly young, in a decent suit, with neatly styled hair (which immediately cost him points in Sergey's book), and, of course, with a friendly smile on his face. He must have taken some smiling course somewhere because it was painfully perfect—just wide enough, without distorting his face, showing friendliness but not overly so, with dignity. Oh, these managers.

— Hello. – Sergey said, breaking into a smile—not out of politeness, but simply because the kid was so smooth, pleasant, and stylish, like an iPhone.

— Good morning. – Evgeny replied calmly, pointing to a chair. – May I?

— Yes, of course.

— Sergey, I appreciate you for... – Evgeny began.

— Blah-blah-blah. – interrupted Sergey. – Evgeny, let's skip the niceties. I agreed to meet you for one reason – Tatiana recommended you. She is an old friend of mine, and I trust her opinion. Your resume is terrible. In the stream of the same terrible applications that come to HR's inbox every day, I wouldn't have noticed you. But now you are hired, on a one-day probation period. However, you will have to pass a test.

— A test? – Evgeny was almost taken aback. – On knowledge?

— I won't tell you what the test is about. You won't need to fill out paperwork, answer questions, etc. You will need to work as the IT director of the 'Cube' company for a couple of hours. Solve real tasks, show yourself from different angles. I am the only one who knows the criteria for passing the test, so you won't get any behavioral recommendations from anyone, not even from Tatiana. Just work as you can, and I'll be observing. Agreed?

— And what kind of tasks? – Evgeny squinted suspiciously.

— Various kinds. – Sergey repeated. – Standard IT director tasks that you have solved many times before. Let's go to your workstation.

Sergey resolutely stood up and walked to the exit. Evgeny, after a brief hesitation, got up and followed. After walking a few meters down the corridor, Sergey entered an empty meeting room, looked around, and pointed to a chair in the middle of a long table.

— Here is your workstation, take a seat. So, the rules are simple. You are the new IT director of the company. I'm going to announce to everyone that the miracle has happened, and now the problems related to information technologies will be solved again. Also, I'll indicate where you can be found. There is a chance that colleagues will come to you with tasks. After that, you'll figure it out yourself.

— Is there a chance that no one will come? – Evgeny asked as he settled down at the table.

— There is. – Sergey nodded. – But don’t count on it too much. Well, goodbye for now.

And Sergey quickly disappeared from the meeting room. Evgeny fiddled with his briefcase, deciding where to place it, eventually setting it on a neighboring chair. A few minutes later, the door opened, and an unfamiliar woman entered.

— Hello. – she said dryly. – My name is Valeria, the chief accountant. Are you the new head of the IT department?

— IT director, to be precise. – Evgeny corrected for some reason. – Have a seat, Valeria, let's get to know each other!

— I don’t care to get acquainted with you. – Valeria spat, continuing to stand by the door.

Evgeny was a bit taken aback and went silent. Valeria, unfortunately, was also silent, looking the IT director straight in the eye. Finally, when the pause began to drag on, Evgeny decided to try again.

— Valeria… — he started. – How can I assist you? Considering that I’ve been working in your company for just a few minutes.

— You won’t be able to help me even in a year. – the chief accountant continued to spew venom. – That fool who worked before you, Seryozha, our sun and moon, couldn’t help us either. You’re all idiots, all you can do is nod at the accountants and say that they’re all incompetent and can’t do basic operations.

— I… — Evgeny smiled. – Valeria, I understand that you have a negative attitude towards the IT department, shaped by your experiences with programmers. I assure you, I completely understand you. But it will be different with me, I know how to find common ground with business users of the highest rank.

— Look at that… — Valeria stretched out. – Well, go ahead, find common ground with me.

Valeria walked around the table and sat down opposite Evgeny.

— Your program isn’t working. – quoted Valeria, gathering several thousand accountants.

— What exactly isn’t working? And which program? – Evgeny’s tone indicated a genuine desire to help.

— Am I supposed to explain to you which program isn’t working? – the chief accountant suddenly shouted. – I’m an accountant, not a programmer! You’re the programmer! You should know which program isn’t working!

— There’s a theory that there are bugs in every program, even the simplest one. – Evgeny replied uncertainly. – You need to understand, Valeria, I just arrived. Naturally, I don’t even know what software park is used in your company. How can I help with a program without even knowing its name?

— So you won’t help? – Valeria smiled maliciously.

— No. Wait… I will help, of course!

— Then help! Your program isn’t working!

— Which program exactly?

— It begins… — Valeria leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. – All you can get from IT people are a bunch of questions. What program, where's the error, how do you reproduce it, why are you even doing this, what's in the accounting policy, write me the technical specifications, how's this, how's that… Ugh!

Valeria abruptly stood up—so abruptly that her chair fell over—and decisively headed toward the door.

— Valeria, wait! – Evgeny jumped up, rushed to the door, and leaned against it with his back, blocking the chief accountant's way.

— Let me through! – Valeria said, seething with anger.

— I'll help you! Well… Damn… You probably have 1C. Yes, definitely 1C! If only I knew the version…
Valeria sneered again. She grabbed the door handle and started pulling it, trying to shove aside the heavily perfumed body of the IT director.

— Just wait a moment… — Evgeny resisted for a few seconds, but finally gave in and stepped aside.

Valeria, looking sternly ahead with her brows furrowed, exited the meeting room. Evgeny wearily closed the door, made his way back to his spot, and collapsed into his chair. His mood turned sour, resentment brewed within him, his hands trembled, and his eyes were slightly moistened, like a small child whose parents refused to listen and simply sent him to the corner. He stared blankly out the window, pondering whether to escape.

— Hello there. – came a voice from behind. – Is it okay?

Evgeny jumped in surprise, then turned around and saw a young, incredibly attractive girl of about twenty-five. She was already inside the meeting room, slowly closing the door behind her. A brunette, in a snow-white blouse with small buttons, some of which, in the décolletage area, were probably meant to be fastened—at least in the office. The look was wonderfully complemented by a fitted black knee-length skirt and elegant glasses in thick black frames.

The stranger, without waiting for an invitation, walked past Evgeny, enveloping him in a light whiff of unknown perfume, and sat down next to him. She was so close that the IT director could see his reflection in her lenses. The girl slowly turned to Evgeny, lightly touching his leg with her knees, and smiled sweetly.

— Shall we introduce ourselves? – she asked. – My name is Zhenya. And yours?

— Uh… — the IT director stammered. – It's… Evgeny.

-- What a coincidence...

The girl's voice sounded unreal, as if it resonated in Eugene's mind, like music from high-quality in-ear headphones. Confident yet genuinely confused, with a hint of healthy boldness, and at the same time – with considerable shyness, unfamiliar but seemingly heard for many years in a row. Eugene felt unable to move, as if afraid to shatter this unusual, serendipitous but beautiful moment in his life. He didn't even shift his leg, continuing to feel the light and pleasant pressure of the girl's knees.

-- Listen, Zhenya... -- the girl continued. -- I'm so glad that you, of all people, will be working with us. I think we will make it work. I can feel it.

As she said this, the girl lifted her head, revealing an incredibly beautiful neck, as it seemed to Eugene. Without obeying his mind, his gaze slid lower, across the slightly stretched firm skin...

-- What the hell?

Caught off guard, Eugene jumped, nearly toppling the heavy conference table. Turning around, he saw a massive guy, at least two meters tall and probably weighing a hundred and twenty kilos. The giant's face was adorned with two scars and a slightly crooked nose – a boxer, thought Eugene.

-- What the hell are you doing, you idiot? – the giant threatened, looming over Eugene, looking him straight in the eye.

-- Anton, don't. – Losing none of her composure, Zhenya slowly got up from her chair. -- We're just getting to know each other. This is the new IT director.

-- He'll be old soon. – Anton continued. – He'll retire right away. Are you out of your mind, you brat? Hitting on my girl on your first day of work. Did you manage to save yourself?

-- I... I... – Eugene began.

-- Head of a buoy! – the giant roared. – If I see you again, I'll tear you apart, got it?

-- Yes, of course. No, you misunderstood... I just... She...

-- What? Don't tell me she's to blame!

-- No, of course not...

-- Then you're to blame? – Anton suddenly smiled.

-- No, wait...

-- What are you wriggling around for, like a worm under UV light? You opened your mouth, so answer!

-- Yes, you know, it’s probably my fault. – Composure started to return to Eugene. – Anton, I sincerely apologize for the situation I created, which allows for double interpretation.

— That's right. – Anton nodded. – Zhenya, let’s go. You’ll get your turn too, mop... dear.

— Dear mop? – Zhenya smiled. – You are a master of compliments, Mr. Zubrak.

— Well, damn. – Anton puffed up proudly. – Alright, let’s move.

And the couple, playfully nudging each other and giggling, left the meeting room.

— Damn it all, what a mess. – Evgeny swore loudly, adding several unprintable nouns and adjectives.

He returned to his place, nervously adjusted his shirt, took off his jacket – after the heated conversation, he had broken into quite a sweat. Without thinking much, he opened the window, letting in the cold December air, stood for a while in the draft by the windowsill until he started to freeze.

Many thoughts flashed through his mind, but very quickly this fragmented stream transformed into a single, all-consuming idea – to run away. To get out of here without a backward glance. He hadn’t signed any documents, made no promises, nobody would remember, it wouldn’t be mentioned in his resume, the recommendations wouldn’t be ruined. Nonsense, idiocy, a mess, a complete disaster. Tatiana didn’t describe the company ‘Cube’ like this. But maybe it’s not worth judging by the first day, or even the first hour? It is worth it! The first day shows what the company is really like! You can’t put up with this; it will only get worse.

And that one, Sergey, is probably sitting and laughing. He escaped from that position, couldn’t handle the load, now he’s sitting in a big beautiful office pretending to engage in development. Evgeny knew who the most useless person in any company is. The one whose job title includes the word ‘development’. Or ‘quality’. And also – ‘process’.

I need to run. Yes, immediately. Evgeny hurriedly put on his jacket, grabbed his briefcase, pushed the chairs back into place, and headed to close the window.

— May I?

— Damn, why is this door so silent? – Evgeny thought. Thank God, this time he didn’t jump in surprise, just flinched slightly.

He turned around – a short young guy stood in the doorway, in jeans and a casually adjusted checkered shirt. His face was thickly covered in black stubble, and his squinting eyes were fixed intently on Evgeny. Probably a type that girls like while Canadian lumberjacks are in fashion.

— Hello. – The guy boldly approached and extended his hand for a greeting. – Stas, programmer. And you are my new boss. Evgeny, right?

— That’s right. – Evgeny nodded. – Just, Stanislav…

— Just Stas. – The guy smiled incredibly warmly.

— Alright, just Stas. I'm not sure I will be your boss. I haven't made a decision yet on whether to work at your company or not.

— Let’s discuss it. – Stas said, quickly sitting down on one of the chairs.

After some hesitation, Evgeny returned to his seat – right across from Stas. Probably, he could handle one more conversation since he hadn’t managed to sneak away unnoticed.

— I've heard a lot about you, Evgeny. – Stas was following the new boss's gaze very closely. – To be honest, I’m really glad you joined us. Even more than I was glad when Sergey left.

— Glad? – Evgeny frowned skeptically. – Why?

— Why?! – Stas exclaimed, as if the new boss already knew the story of the glorious IT department of the company "Kub". – Because he’s an idiot! Didn't you notice?

— To be honest… — Evgeny began, but hesitated. – I haven't formed an opinion yet.

— Oh come on! And this idiotic quest you’re going through, whose idea do you think it is?

— Sergey, he said it himself. – Evgeny was trying hard to understand where the excessively active programmer was leading.

— The whole point is that no one cares about the results of this quest! – Stas, pleased with himself, leaned back in his chair. – I just came from HR – the order was given to hire you.

— Wait… — Evgeny shook his head in confusion. – Then why all this?

— Because he’s a fool! So insane that sometimes it’s easier to go along with him than to argue and prove your point. Even the owner finds it easier.

— Hold on, Stas…

— You can use 'you'.

— Wait, Stas… If no one cares, and Sergey, according to you, well…

— A camp fool.

— Never mind… Why is he still around?

— O-o-o-oh… — Stas stretched out, pleased. – That’s a very good question! Ninety-nine percent of people in the company will gladly discuss it if you ask.

— Well, still.

— I don’t know. — Stas shrugged and smiled so genuinely that Evgeny couldn’t help but smile back. — A hell of a long time ago, we worked on a couple of cool projects together. He became the IT director because of that. And that’s it, that’s when he lost it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s seeing a therapist. If he isn’t, it’s about time he started.

— And what exactly started? — Evgeny also leaned back in his chair and relaxed a bit.

— All sorts of nonsense. After those projects, he hasn’t really done anything else. He keeps complaining that everyone around him is an idiot, while he’s the only one – D’Artagnan. He’s read a bunch of smart books — deliberately choosing those that nobody in their right mind would ever touch. And then he shows off, acting like he knows a ton of methodologies and can improve any process, even boost the company’s profits.

— And in reality? Can he?

— Who ever checked? He only talks about what he can do, while others cannot. And somehow, that’s where the conversation ends. Who in their right mind would let him into something serious? So he just sits, or rather sat, in the IT department and screamed from there that everything is wrong and not quite right.

— Wait, Stas… Why did he become the development director then?

— Have you heard of the Peter Principle?

— Yes. Wait… Is that about how work occupies all the time allocated for it?

— No, that’s Parkinson’s Law. The Peter Principle, I don’t remember word for word, but it’s something like this: a person rises in the career ladder until they reach their level of incompetence.

— Yeah, I’ve heard something like that… — Evgeny nodded. — And how does that relate to Sergei?

— How? — Stas was genuinely surprised. — They just shoved him into this position so he would fail, and then they could throw him out easily! If he managed to handle the work of an IT director decently, because he was sitting on my shoulders, now he’s as exposed as can be. He has no subordinates, no one listens to him, everyone doesn’t care about the development projects. He’s almost on the street. He’s no development director — he’s a total zero. He has reached his level of incompetence. Or rather, he was helped to get there. And his days are numbered.

— Hmm… — Evgeny frowned, but after a couple of seconds suddenly smiled. — Then it’s clear. Thank you, Stas!

— Always a pleasure! Tomorrow, I hope we can talk properly and in detail? Things are a complete mess here. That jerk just left and abandoned everything, leaving it all on me. He doesn't even say hello now, the scoundrel.

— Yes, of course, tomorrow, Stas. – Evgeny stood up and extended his hand. – I'm not like that; I'm a person of action. I can even program. We'll make it work!

— Of course! – Stas joyfully shook the boss's hand and confidently strode towards the door.
Upon reaching the door, he turned back, smiled widely once more, and stepped into the corridor. Evgeny smiled. The situation was taking a completely different turn. We'll see who runs away from whom...

Suddenly, the phone rang. The number seemed familiar, but it wasn't in his contacts. Evgeny picked up the receiver – it was Sergey.

— Evgeny, that's all for now. – Sergey said. – In about five minutes, come to my office. Do you know how to get there?

— Yes, it's nearby, I think.

— Good, I’ll be waiting!

Evgeny hurriedly grabbed his briefcase, adjusted his jacket, smoothed his hair with his hand, and, with nothing else to do, started pacing back and forth in the meeting room. The minutes dragged on, but he didn’t want to kill time with his smartphone so as not to disrupt his focus.

Finally, five minutes passed, and Evgeny left the meeting room. Approaching Sergey’s door, he knocked confidently and, upon hearing an invitation, stepped inside.

Inside, besides the somewhat foolish development director, was Tatyana. Evgeny greeted her with a friendly smile, but for some inexplicable reason, he received only a frown and a sharp look in return.

— Alright, Tatyana, it's time for you to go. – Sergey pointed to the door. – We'll talk without you from here.

— Sergey, do you understand me? – Tatyana asked sternly.

— Yes, don’t worry. If you don’t want to, then don’t.

— Okay. – It was clear that Tatyana was doubtful about Sergey’s response, but Evgeny’s presence probably prevented her from speaking openly.

Tatyana slowly left the office. Evgeny, without waiting for an invitation, plopped down in a chair, sprawled out comfortably, unfastened his jacket, and stared intently, without embarrassment, directly into Sergey’s eyes.

— So, what’s the result? – Evgeny asked.

— Terrible. – Sergey smiled. – Actually, just like always.

— In what sense? – the candidate suddenly grew serious and sat up straight. – What’s so terrible?

— You did terribly on the test. Even worse than the other candidates. – Sergey continued to smile. — However, regardless of the results, you will be hired by our company.

For several seconds, Evgeny looked intently at Sergey, trying to understand the reason for his smile. If the test means nothing, and Sergey knows this, then why is he blooming like a May rose? Although… If he really is, you know, out there, then the smile may not be related to what’s happening around.
Satisfied with that explanation, Evgeny relaxed again and broke into a pleased smile.

— Actually, that's all. – Sergey summarized. – Now you…

— Wait… — Evgeny interrupted him, raising his palm. – Could you explain the meaning of your test?

— Hm, I thought you wouldn’t ask… Alright. What do you think was happening in the meeting room while you were sitting there?

— Well, I understood that people were coming to me with tasks, with pressing problems that no one was… Well, until the IT director arrived, no one was solving.

— No. People were coming to you with games.

— What games?

— Corporate games.

— I don’t get it…

— Well, you see… There’s work, and then there’s play. The higher the position, the more games you have. The IT director often has to deal with a lot of games because that position requires real interaction with almost all departments. So I wanted to see how you would handle these games.

— And how did it go?

— Not well. – Sergey shrugged. — You started playing them.

— What do you mean?

— Well, then Valeria, our CFO, came to you and played her favorite game – 'your program doesn’t work'. You understand the absurdity of that statement, right?

— Of course. – Evgeny nodded without hesitation.

— And she knows it. And everyone knows it. The game has three possible outcomes. The first – you play, and you lose. The CFO convinces everyone that you’re a loser, and anything can be pinned on you, and you’ll swallow it and perform. That happens very often. The second outcome – you play, and you win. You convince everyone that the CFO is an unreasonable fool, and you’re the hero because you exposed her.

— And the third outcome? – Evgeny asked as Sergey suddenly fell silent.

— The third outcome is not to play the game. The best scenario, especially for the IT director.

— Is it like not playing the game? – Evgeny was puzzled. – How does that look in practice?

— In practice, it means a quick retreat or diversion. Just like in aikido. You step aside, and the attacker just flies off in the direction where the energy was directed. Or it's a conscious direction of the game past yourself. And the last option is to abruptly cut off the game. You could have done that with Stas, for example.

— What do you mean? – Evgeny widened his eyes in shock.

— Well, he came to you to explain what an idiot I am?

— I…

— Yes, I know. – Sergei waved his hand. – Not in detail, but I know. I invented all the roles, words, and scenarios for the game myself. You didn’t think I needed a shrink, did you?

— No, of course not… — Evgeny broke out in a sweat. – And, anyway, that Stas…

— Be careful! – Sergei interrupted him. – First of all, you have to work with him. Second, you’re trying to play with me right now. I wouldn’t advise it.

— No, of course not… I just wanted to say that he's an interesting guy.

— We all are interesting here. – Sergei shrugged. – I think for you…

Suddenly, Sergei's smartphone, which was lying on the table, vibrated. Apologizing, he quickly grabbed the device, read the message, and suddenly smiled broadly. After fiddling with the smartphone a bit longer, he placed it back on the table.

— So… — Sergei continued. – Listen to my advice. I started from the very bottom. I came here as a programmer, then became the IT director, and now I’m the deputy general manager for development. The third person in the company. You know what the secret of my success is?

— You don’t play games?

— That’s more of a necessary condition for success. There's a more precise formulation – I don’t play others' games; I start my own. My game is much better, especially if you play it alone.

— So how does that… Alone…

— Just like this. You do what no one else dares to do. You implement development projects that no one has time for. You read business literature while others read nonsense on the internet. Even, damn it, you ask for a raise while others are shy about it. Have you heard about this technique – career rush?

— No, honestly…

— Well, read about it when you have time. Just don’t apply it here – everyone knows about it.

— Okay.

— So, when you initiate a game where only you play, you never lose. You might just not win, and that's not scary. This is the whole secret.

Evgeny was silent, thinking intensely about something. Sergey, with nothing to do, reached for his smartphone, when suddenly he seemed to remember something.

— Yes, Evgeny… — he began. – There’s some news, I don’t know how you will take it. I just received a message that Tatiana… In short, she will be fired soon.

— Fired? – Evgeny’s eyes widened.

— Well, just like that. – Sergey shrugged. – She’s probably not coping, I don’t know… I’m just saying, I was warned not to start any new projects with her. And given the circumstances, I decided to let you know. Perhaps this will affect your decision.

Evgeny was silent. His gaze quickly darted around the office, his expression was extremely tense and focused, when suddenly… He smiled.

— What? – Sergey asked, squinting. – Will it affect it, after all?

— Yes. – The tension in Evgeny seemed to disappear in an instant. – I would gladly work at your company.

— So this means… — Sergey frowned. – As I understand it, you… know her… Even personally.

— So what? – Evgeny shrugged. – You know, Sergey… I’m even glad it turned out this way.

— Why?

— Well… I don’t know how to say this… Tatiana, she, in general…

— What?

— Well… Let’s just say… I don’t have the same feelings for her as she has for me.

— Does she know about this?

— Of course not, are you kidding?

— So what do you mean "of course not"? She likes you, but you don’t like her, yet you tell her you feel the same?

— Well, it’s more complicated than that… I… How can I say this…

— Alright, I understand. – Sergey interrupted the new colleague's torment. – It’s very personal, and between us, there’s not enough trust to discuss it. I respect your right and don’t ask for anything.

— Thank you. – Evgeny breathed a sigh of relief. – Honestly, I’m so tired of your… I mean, the games you’ve set up…

— Well, because you played them. – Sergey stood up, his demeanor suggesting it was time for Evgeny to go. – If you hadn’t played, you would be as fresh as a cucumber. Alright, Evgeny…

— Yes, yes… — Evgeny quickly jumped up, grabbed his briefcase, and extended his hand to Sergey.

— Take a break from the games, if you can. – Sergey said with a strange smile. – But remember, the games never really end. At any moment, it’s important to understand whether you’re in a game or not, and whose game it is. Alright?

— Yes, of course. – Evgeny nodded. – See you tomorrow?

— Yes, see you tomorrow. If anything changes, I’ll call.

— What do you mean? – The smile vanished from Evgeny’s face.

— Standard phrase, do not pay attention.

— Ah, okay!

Evgeny left the room, and Sergey returned to the table. He picked up his smartphone and held it to his ear.

— Tatyana, are you there? Ah, alright… Yes… Don't cry, damn it… I told you, and you didn't believe me… No, I won't come, I’m afraid of female tears… Ah, I don’t know… What do you think, should I take it?.. No, I wouldn’t take it, it’s too dumb and simple, only for you… Ah, well, you decide… For sure?.. Okay then. Are you going to call yourself?.. I can, of course. Just not now, but in a couple of hours. I’ll say that the general refused…. Well, pull yourself together, we have work to do.

Sergey carelessly threw his smartphone on the table, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and quietly started to sing:

Hey! I’m a villain to them,
Knowing the secret
Of base passions
Of the poor and the kings.
I was a violinist,
My talent is my cross,
With life and the bow
I played with fire!

Finishing the song, he smiled to himself, jumped out of the chair, and strode energetically into the corridor.

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