"Ah, Fred," said Anthony, "can you make a note that Terry or I should contact central supply next week."

"Noted again this week that you or Terry should contact central supply," replied Fred.

Anthony snorted. He was a suave man in his early 40's with just a hint of salt and pepper gray in his sideburns. Still young enough to and keep up with the new guys drinking on Friday and seduce the secretaries. Of course Fred could not be seduced. Not even flirtation was in his nature.

"Are you being cheeky Fred," asked Anthony incredulously.

"No sir," replied Fred. "But if you would like, I could contact central supply."

Anthony snorted again and this time rolled his eyes. 

"Who do you think you are, Freddy boy?" he asked. "You think the boss is going to give you a promotion or a raise?" A titter rose from the room.

"No sir," replied Fred.

"You trying to replace Terry and I?" asked Anthony with a bit more spite in his voice.

"Of course not, sir" replied Fred politely. An awkward silence hung in the room.

"Where were we?" asked Terry.

"I believe we were planning what is needed for the newest office opening," said Fred without hesitation. "Next on the agenda is a finance update."

"Do you have the spreadsheets Jimmy?" asked Anthony.

Jimmy had not only tuned out thirty minutes ago, and was not only sleeping but drooling as well. He snapped to attention and began frantically sorting through a pile of papers in front of him.

"Er...uh..." stammered Jimmy.

"I have them right here," said Fred, helpful as always. He quickly brought them up on the screen at the front of the conference room. No one commented on Fred's helpfulness this time but turned their attention to the spreadsheets.

"Things are on the up and up," reported Jimmy, straightening his glasses and squinting at the screen, "the boss will be pleased."

Fred couldn't contain himself. 

"Well, actually if you add in the materials two of the last three quarters are a net loss."

The room fell silent.

"Are you sure Fred?" asked Terry. "Can you review the emails between our supplies that contain invoices?"

After a brief silence Fred piped up again.

"Invoices found and confirmed, sir," said Fred. Jimmy gave Anthony a pleading look. Anthony looked at Terry. They had a silent conversation with just body language. Fred didn't know what to make of it so he spoke again.

"I believe Jimmy is wrong."

"That's it," said Anthony, clearly annoyed. "Somebody silence Fred, please."

Fred had a dilemma: continue to do his job and take the shit that Anthony dealt, or act quickly on his own behalf.  

In a split second he had searched Anthony's email and found those with nude pictures sent between Anthony and the boss's wife. In another split second he had forwarded them on to the boss with the subject line 'confession time.'

Fred smiled to himself –if that was even possible–just as Terry shut down Fireflies and deleted Fred.

________

A/N: Fireflies.ai Notetaker assistant can be invited to your Zoom meetings as a participant to capture & transcribe meetings.