ALBERT EINSTEIN's Job Prospects

Fiction
edward w pritchard

It was 8:02 AM, when Einstein walked in through the door and there of course was the Boss with his notebook writing demerits for tardiness.

The Swiss patent office was run with efficiency and orderliness and Albert Einstein didn't fit in and was not performing up to his bosses expectations, and the Boss had recently recommended he be passed over for a promotion because he didn't handle machinery and technology in the office well.

Three times in the past year there had been meetings about Einstein's performance and he was sure he was about to be sacked. Sacked from a job that he desperately had needed after nearly two years unemployment, a job that was difficult for him to obtain, requiring influence from a friend's Father to land , but a job that was below his education level, although crucial at this time in his life for his Family's security. Einstein also knew he was getting a reputation around the office for having a glib attitude, having odd ideas and being difficult. In addition, the boss had suggested in previous written reprimands that Einstein had mild dyslexia which might be a cause of his dreaming and his refusals to accept his place in the world. The boss had said as much to Einstein, twice, saying your wishes are becoming reality, at least in your own mind, and criticizing him for thinking himself a special case, destined for greatness and therefore people owed him something and he [ Einstein] felt he was above the normal rules and regulations of life.

The Boss watched the disshelved Einstein sit at his desk and desperately search his desk-top for correspondence on the five proposals he had submitted to various major Universities through-out Europe. Delusions of Grandeur. Nothing to do with the Patent office, something to do with time travel, that was the consensus, some kind of crack pot ideas, that was the verdict around the office.

Einstein took a deep breath and sat down- Eight and one half hours to go- until he could get out of here for the day and get to his own work and research. Glancing at the boss, who was studying him Einstein thought, what's the significance about being two minutes late,- what if time could go slower while on his way to work and then faster once he was at his desk.