So then...

About Me

Welcome to my blog. My pen name is Eva James. I'm an aspiring writer paying the bills working as a legal secretary. Bullied by my boss in 2008, I looked for another job but the recession hit. Feeling trapped, I started this blog. Trevor Griffiths, legendary theatre, TV and film writer said at the outset, "I like the writing a lot: smart, cool, placed. If you were prepared/able to take your prick of a boss on, you'd marmelise him." I was unaware back then that it would catalogue one of the most extreme cases of workplace bullying in the UK. I've found another job, but am subject to a gagging order. I'm still blogging, of course. Just don't tell the lawyers!

Wednesday 21 October 2009

All the Lonely People

This week, Howard has been singing Beatles songs or, more specifically, Eleanor Rigby. He assures me I'm very like her; a lonely and repressed loser who’ll never find another boyfriend.

I gave him a face that I keep in a jar by the door.

By Friday he had re-written and expanded the poignant third verse burial. He also substituted me for Eleanor. It goes as follows:-

I’m dead. It’s raining and the ham-fisted gravediggers slip in the mud, dropping my coffin into the hole and tipping the lid. My hideous corpse is exposed. The exhausted gravediggers take a tea break. I died of an obesity related illness so it was a heavy task. The rain worsens. Howard arrives to pay his respects. He notices, with some sadness, that he is there alone. The torrential rain gives Howard an urgent desire to relieve himself. He looks around for a bush to run behind – there are none in view; no trees either. He can’t hold on much longer. Where on earth can he go? Desperate, he looks down into the hole and unzips…

You get the picture.

Very creative, he’s been working on it all week. Truth is, I think Howard is the lonely one. Sure, he’s married, but the whole office knows he’s bullied at home. That’s why he spends so many hours at his desk. And it’s also why they forgive him his behaviour.

I think he’s a sociopath anyway, but don’t get me wrong. I’m not scared of Howard. I’m not scared of being just another Eleanor Rigby either. I suppose at the moment I’m scared of one thing. I’m scared of blogging to no-one and, like Father McKenzie, “writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear.”

I hope someone is reading.

Eva x

8 comments:

Silviai said...

Hi, I am reading! :)

Anonymous said...

Just to assure you that I'm going to be reading these posts, starting with Day One, and working my way through as time between jobs, meetings and appointments at work - and energies - will permit.

Yours, in solidarity....

Sebastiaan.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I understand how it feels for I've been bullied all my working life, hopping from job to job to escape bullies.
I've stumbled on your blog & I am reading through your blog beginning now. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Remember Eva , the projection factor..guess HOWARD is the lonely one..who drives everybody away from him..his secret fear ...alnoe and friendless..Did he have any positive relationships at work?
Have you heard anything about the business recently or "bumped into him...I'm sure you d have hid I know I would!!!
I was nt there at the time but was there in spirit ..so I intend to catch up if that is ok with you..better late? Also he must have been bored at work to waste so much firm time persecuting you!

Jayne Williams said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jayne Williams said...

You've inspired me Eva. I'm going to start my own blog on my experiences in the workplace.

Jayne Williams said...

Eva did you delete my post because I put my web address in it?

Tom B. Taker said...

I think you may be my work soul mate. I just read Week One and I'm hooked.

You know that feeling when a favorite author just pumped out a new book and you can wait to read it? That's how I feel right now.

I found you by random chance on the Twitter. Woots!

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