Corporate Games

They stepped into the elevator like strangers—Richard “Dick” Garner with his polished detachment, Barbara “Barb” Collins trailing mascara and pride. The doors sealed behind them, and with one press of the lobby button, the descent began.

“You don’t have to see me down,” Barb said, voice brittle.

“I do,” Dick replied. “It’s part of my job.”

HR had passed the baton. Benefits team was waiting. Barb was being escorted out—not just from the building, but from the career she’d built brick by brick. Dick, ever the company man, was the one holding the wrecking ball.

“You always undermined me,” she said. “Manipulated the team.”

“Stop it,” he snapped. “Don’t embarrass yourself.”

But Barb wasn’t here for dignity. She was here for truth.

“You pointed them in my direction. My clients won’t stay once they find out.”

“They already know,” Dick said. “We shouldn’t be talking about this.”

The elevator hummed, then shuddered. Lights flickered. It stopped.

Barb didn’t flinch. “Funny how the Island Pacific pitch vanished. Slides deleted. Backup wiped.”

“I can’t help you there, exclaimed Dick.”

Barb angry, “You ruined my career. Least you can do is admit it.”

Dick sighed. “I caught you.”

Barb turned. “Excuse me?”

“You were selling secrets. Taking bribes. Island Pacific documented everything.”

Barb’s silence was sharp.

“I deleted the deck,” Dick continued. “The company needed a reason. Public embarrassment sealed it.”

Barb’s mascara-streaked face hardened. “Truth stings,” she said. “But I bite.”

The elevator jolted back to life.

“Let’s get this over with,” Dick said. “The cops are waiting downstairs.”

“I didn’t sell secrets,” Barb said. “I saw the papers. You ever check your email archive?”

Dick frowned. “What are you saying?”

“I mirrored your system,” Barb said. Every transaction—under your name.”

Dick’s fingers flew across his phone. His face drained.

“These emails aren’t mine…,” he said.

“They are now,” Barb smirked. “Every bribe, every leak—your name’s on it.”

“You won’t get away with this, sad Dick.”

“The police are here for you,” Barb sad. “My firing was a decoy. We didn’t want you jumping off a building.”

Dick questioned “Why?”

“You said it yourself. I was in your way,” explained Barb.

“But you did sell secrets,” Dick said.

“To drive the stock down,” she said. “I invested in our competitor. I’ll make a fortune when the merger hits.”

Dick’s voice cracked. “Island Pacific is taking us over.”

Barb nodded. “Smart boy. Sometimes you don’t break the glass ceiling—you smash someone through it.”

The elevator dinged. The doors opened. Officer Riley Burns stood waiting, badge raised.

“Richard Garner. You’re under arrest.”

Dick turned to Barb, stunned.

“You can’t…”

Barb stepped out, he mascara deceptively had been tears are now recognized aswar paint.

“It’s a woman’s world, Dick.”