*Update

Intro: Once again I got this idea from work. I work with confidential information and I was thinking of ways that people could gain access to the information we have.

John let out a sigh and stared at the ceiling as the printer continued beeping. The display read "Needs Update."

John brought his foot back but stooped when his boss walked by.

"Is everything alright?" Cheryl asked.

"It needs another update. I'll make the call."

"We all knew it was coming. And we can't really complain. Four months with no problems is worth four hours of maintenance."

"Stop preaching to the choir," John said.

"You? You were the hardest one to convince."

John walked away as Cheryl continued to talk. John still didn't trust the machine. It was completely enclosed. When the printer was maintenanced the technician refilled the toner cartridges and paper. John had been skeptic because no printer would store enough paper to last four months. Technology hadn't reduced the amount of paper, if anything, computers crashing and power failures made hard copies more desirable. As the department intern he was responsible for all of the paper copies.

"John, have you had a chance to print the document I sent you and review it?" One of his coworkers asked.

"No. I have to call to get the printer updated."

Within fifteen minutes the technician was there. The man wore a visitor's badge which was required by everyone. One of the other engineers stood next to the printer because no visitor could be left unattended. John watched the technician for a moment before rushing off to a design meeting. The company design cell phones and most days John liked his job. But today he found himself doodling as his manager laid down the law from corporate. Every few weeks the upper management came out with new rules and regulations.

"Please make sure to keep a professional attitude when doing any company business. This includes using only the fonts and colors laid out in the company style guide. Everything has to have the official logo." Cheryl raised her gaze from the page and rolled her eyes. "I think you get the idea. I'll forward the email to you all. It has all the links to everything." She set the paper down. "Now, on to more important work."

All the engineers trailed out after Cheryl dismissed them except for John.

"Shut the door."

As soon as the door shut, Cheryl ask, "Are we set for Saturday?"

John nodded. "I just need to print out the fliers. Now that the printer is fixed I can finish that."

"Good. Get those handed out but remind everyone to keep it on the down low." Cheryl waved him away.

"Cheryl, I don't think this is a good idea. Corporate—"

"They've never said we had to cancel the party. We've been planning it for months. They just said we could schedule any new ones. This was on the calendar before that."

"I don't know. I don't think they will like it."

"Don't argue, John. We need to raise morale."

John couldn't keep from shaking his head as he walked out. The technicians was gone so John made copies and handed them out. The next day John went to work early to finish the project he hadn't the night before. He sat down and had just booted up his computer. The instant messenger popped up showing that a few of his co-workers were also at work, including Cheryl. She'd already sent him a message telling him to come to her office. One of the reasons he couldn't finish was because he needed her feedback.

He grabbed up the blueprint and headed to her office. She waved him in without looking up from her desk.

"John, they want to see you in corporate. Just leave that with me."

He set the papers down and turned to leave. Two security guards walked in.

"Cheryl we are here to escort you off the premise."

"What? What did I do?"

"You have failed to comply to several company polices, including company sponsored parties during this quarter."

The large men herded John out of the office even as Cheryl continued to protest. One of the security guards ushered John to the other side of the building. Mr. Stevens, the head of HR, called him in at once.

"John, I understand your internship is just about up for the engineering department."

"Yes."

"I'm here to offer you a new position. We want to train you to be our on-site printer technician. You would refill all of the paper trays at night. And check the transmitter. They tend to burn out because of the heat."

"Transmitter?" John's stomach turned. "The printers have transmitters?"

"How else are we to keep an eye one everyone?"