On his personal power chessboard one Wednesday evening as Mary was finishing up cleaning the hallway on the 38th floor. Gerald suddenly appeared from behind the hallway lights reflected off his face casting a chilling menacing look and when he spoke his voice was so cold it made. Mary shiver slightly are you done Janet Mary calmly replied yes Mr. Hayes everything has been cleaned according to procedure. Gerald glanced around his eyes seeming to scrutinize every corner of the hallway Mary had just carefully cleaned unexpectedly he stepped forward pulled a small white cloth from his jacket pocket and bent.
Down to wipe a corner of the wall Mary silently watched waiting for the outcome of this surprise inspection Gerald raised his head holding. The cloth high and looked at Mary with a challenging gaze is this what you call clean Janet I thought by your age you should know what clean looks like. Mary looked at the white cloth it had no trace of dirt at all but Gerald still acted as if it were. The clearest proof her laziness and irresponsibility Gerald deliberately dropped the cloth onto the floor then spoke again with a mocking tone clean this entire hallway again and remember if you want.
To keep your job I don't want to see a single mistake no matter how small Mary silently lowered her head patiently picking up. The cloth and continuing her work Gerald walked away with a small satisfied laugh leaving her alone in the silent hallway. The weight of the moment pressing on her but that wasn't the last time Gerald deliberately made things difficult for Mary just a few days. Later when Mary was carefully cleaning the windows in the large conference room on the 40th floor Gerald appeared again this time he brought a freshly brewed cup of hot coffee without saying.
A word Gerald stepped over stood next to Mary looked out the window and casually said Janet do you know why people like you will always just be janitors. Mary stopped her work turned to face him her gaze calm but with a storm brewing inside no sir Gerald took a sip of his coffee his voice light. But venomous because people like you always accept mediocrity you have no ambition no capability and no self-respect you only do what's necessary never excellent. With those words Gerald tilted The coffee cup slightly letting dark drops of coffee fall onto the freshly cleaned floor that Mary had just scrubbed each drop felt like a bitter sting.
Straight to Mary's heart but she silently watched not saying a word in protest Gerald placed the cup on the table and gestured clean it up Janet I want this place to be. So clean I can see my reflection in it Mary patiently redid everything even though she knew Gerald was intentionally tormenting her in that moment she understood more deeply than ever. Before the cruelty that janitorial staff had to endure every day to Gerald this abuse of power seemed like a sick pleasure a way. For him to demonstrate his superiority and absolute control not stopping at those simple actions Gerald became increasingly aggressive, frequently making unreasonable and unfounded demands.
For Mary to redo tasks she had already completed excellently she realized that Gerald was using her as an example to intimidate. The entire janitorial staff gradually Mary noticed the sympathetic glances of her co-workers but no one dared to speak out in her defense. The atmosphere of fear and oppression that Gerald created grew more apparent he wanted everyone to see him as someone to be feared someone who couldn't be opposed to achieve this he. Had no qualms about trampling on the dignity and self-respect of the lowest ranking employees in the company those who had no ability to defend themselves.