What’s behind the Little Red Door
I approached our weathered crimson door, which we have established as the primary
entrance for engineers and facilitators. I knocked and then immediately thought, "Rats! I forgot
again." A stern voice replies to the knock, "Who's there?" I roll my eyes, stick my tail
underneath the door, and say, "Come on Clarence. It’s me." After a moment goes by, I hear a
heavy sigh and the rattling of keys. As I'm waiting for Clarence to unlock our immaculate multi-
layered security system, composed mostly of deadbolts, I straighten my tie and take a moment
to ready myself for the scolding I am about to receive. Upon seeing the doorknob turn, Clarence
ripped the door open ...or at least tried to before getting interrupted abruptly by our last means
of defense, the chain lock. "Arth-! Ugh!" he groaned, shutting the door again to undo the chain,
followed by some frustrated mumbles. On his second attempt, Clarence successfully ripped
open the door and shouted, "Arthur!" "You know the protocol. Tail first, then knock." "Well, it's
good to see you too, Clarence," I replied, while at the same time reconciling the error I made
should be taken seriously. After noticing his frustrated expression has not changed an ounce, I
quickly follow my last comment with, "I'm sorry. I promise it won't happen again." "It better
not," he replied. Clarence and I have been through this before, but mark my words, one day I
will remember that precious protocol of his. He quickly followed with, "Now get outta here.
Corporate is waiting to hear about your progress report."
Corporate might be waiting, but my caffeine levels were dangerously low. As I made my
way to the cafeteria, trying to organize my messy papers and mentally run through my
presentation, I ran into our newest intern, Liz. Seemed like she was doing the exact same thing,
just with twice the nerves. In fact, we almost literally "ran into" each other. "Hey, Liz. Is
everything okay?" I asked carefully. "Oh! Hey Mr. Ratigan. Yeah yeah, I'm alright. Just bringing
some copies back to the conference room." she replied exhaustedly. "Oh! Here, I can take those
for ya. That's on my way." I said, hoping to relieve some of her stress. After some hesitation,
she asked, "Are you sure? I wouldn't want to trouble you with this." I chuckled and replied, "Of
course I'm sure. You deserve a break. I hear there are doughnuts in the cafeteria. Would you...
care to join me?" With a sigh of relief leading to a warming smile, she replied, "Certainly, Mr.
Ratigan." I couldn't help but smile when I reminded her, "Please, Liz -just call me Arthur." She
stuttered, "Sure thing, Mr. Rati- I mean Arthur."
As Liz and I walked towards the cafeteria, the rich smell of coffee wafted through the air.
Just what I was looking for. After I got my paws on a strong dark brew, I had to cut our break
short and head for the conference room. Luckily, it is just a few doors down from the cafeteria.
As I entered, I noticed I was, without a doubt, what everyone was waiting on. I quickly set up,
I approached our weathered crimson door, which we have established as the primary
entrance for engineers and facilitators. I knocked and then immediately thought, "Rats! I forgot
again." A stern voice replies to the knock, "Who's there?" I roll my eyes, stick my tail
underneath the door, and say, "Come on Clarence. It’s me." After a moment goes by, I hear a
heavy sigh and the rattling of keys. As I'm waiting for Clarence to unlock our immaculate multi-
layered security system, composed mostly of deadbolts, I straighten my tie and take a moment
to ready myself for the scolding I am about to receive. Upon seeing the doorknob turn, Clarence
ripped the door open ...or at least tried to before getting interrupted abruptly by our last means
of defense, the chain lock. "Arth-! Ugh!" he groaned, shutting the door again to undo the chain,
followed by some frustrated mumbles. On his second attempt, Clarence successfully ripped
open the door and shouted, "Arthur!" "You know the protocol. Tail first, then knock." "Well, it's
good to see you too, Clarence," I replied, while at the same time reconciling the error I made
should be taken seriously. After noticing his frustrated expression has not changed an ounce, I
quickly follow my last comment with, "I'm sorry. I promise it won't happen again." "It better
not," he replied. Clarence and I have been through this before, but mark my words, one day I
will remember that precious protocol of his. He quickly followed with, "Now get outta here.
Corporate is waiting to hear about your progress report."
Corporate might be waiting, but my caffeine levels were dangerously low. As I made my
way to the cafeteria, trying to organize my messy papers and mentally run through my
presentation, I ran into our newest intern, Liz. Seemed like she was doing the exact same thing,
just with twice the nerves. In fact, we almost literally "ran into" each other. "Hey, Liz. Is
everything okay?" I asked carefully. "Oh! Hey Mr. Ratigan. Yeah yeah, I'm alright. Just bringing
some copies back to the conference room." she replied exhaustedly. "Oh! Here, I can take those
for ya. That's on my way." I said, hoping to relieve some of her stress. After some hesitation,
she asked, "Are you sure? I wouldn't want to trouble you with this." I chuckled and replied, "Of
course I'm sure. You deserve a break. I hear there are doughnuts in the cafeteria. Would you...
care to join me?" With a sigh of relief leading to a warming smile, she replied, "Certainly, Mr.
Ratigan." I couldn't help but smile when I reminded her, "Please, Liz -just call me Arthur." She
stuttered, "Sure thing, Mr. Rati- I mean Arthur."
As Liz and I walked towards the cafeteria, the rich smell of coffee wafted through the air.
Just what I was looking for. After I got my paws on a strong dark brew, I had to cut our break
short and head for the conference room. Luckily, it is just a few doors down from the cafeteria.
As I entered, I noticed I was, without a doubt, what everyone was waiting on. I quickly set up,
