Chapter 4
The same grogginess would be engulfing Mac, presently sitting in the VP of Finance's office Tuesday morning, regardless the wine he and Jeanette had drank last night. Without the alcohol very little if any sleep would have been had, the sleep experienced being of such poor quality that going without would have sufficed just as well.
Insomnia had become more pronounced each time Mac swore off the bottle for whatever amount of time it would be for that particular time. He related a story to Jeanette when the two began sharing intimacies, secrets, and such, recounting his record six nights with no sleep following a nasty bender when he was between jobs collecting 'funemployment' benefits. The insomnia putatively caused by the sudden absence of alcohol, Mac hypothesized that perhaps the pineal gland was affected by the disruption or complete cessation of the gland's ability to produce melatonin. Prior to this a maximum two sleepless nights was normal but as the alcohol consumption escalated so did the insomnia following each binge. The tale Jeanette listened to Mac relate was one of a wondrous journey she and everybody should experience at least once as the mind loses all sense of time and an unexplored dimension is entered-the peripheral vision being visited by haunting, small, evilly shaped black wraiths quickly scampering away when viewed at directly; the mind convinced that snow flurries yet the warm air contradicting such a possibility; the audible hallucinations-was startling, but not enough to scare her away from Mac nor likable enough to want to experience such an unexplored dimension.
When Mac arrived at work that morning he knew something was wrong. The expected questions concerning yesterday's absence were replaced with quick glances and terse good mornings, nothing else. The moment of truth was nigh seeing his phone intercom light up and hearing Randy requesting him to Mr. Bivens's office. Mac walked bleakly to the corner office with forlorn thoughts to be confirmed entering the office and seeing Mr. Bivens, Mr. Randy Stevens, and the HR manager, Mrs. Hostetller.
"Please take a seat Mr. McGarrett," Mr. Bivens said.
Mr. McGarrett? Bivens hadn't called Mac Mr. McGarrett since his initial interview for the senior accountant position four years earlier. Mac's apprehension deepened. The palpable tension was intensified with the July sun filtering through open blinds covering the east windows of Bivens's office, glaring into Mac's alcohol induced sensitive eyes, causing him to squint and to slightly sweat.
"As you may well have ascertained Mr. McGarrett, Mr. Stevens told me yesterday evening of your latest DUI. I know Mrs. Hostetller explicitly expounded our corporate policy to you concerning any employee being arrested on personal grounds independent of company functions immediately following your first DUI conviction. I know this because I have here in front of me your signature on the acknowledgment form confirming your oral and pamphlet receipt of said policy. Mind you Mr. McGarrett, what was just mentioned was the second time the policy was dictated to you, the first being the initial company orientation. Your alcohol abuse has become a corporate liability Mr. McGarrett. Whispers of smelling alcohol on your breath have become too prevalent. Indications that your drinking has affected your work are undeniable. Prior to your arrival this morning I have already discussed this serious issue with Mr. Stevens, Mrs. Hostetller, and the company president, Mr. Landau. The corporate policy is clear, Mr. McGarrett. You leave us the only alternative but to release you. When you file a claim for unemployment benefits this company will not counter with any protestations. Please, go with Mrs. Hostetller to her office to finalize the termination process then gather your p