narratorAUSTRALIA Volume One Page 8

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  I carried myself calmly into the usual office building for the first day after my few weeks off. Another day of the usual mundane work, and the table of close friends at lunch. I approached it with a dull sense of duty. Soon it will finish, I reminded myself, and I can go home to rest. I considered the second prospect with the same duty, and took my seat at my workspace, and left myself there to sort it all out. I glanced back periodically to check the time, until the hour of my return came, and I stood up and headed to the kitchen. There I met my usual table, and my usual friends, who welcomed me back with warmth I took care to reflect properly.

  ‘How is everybody going?’ I offered to them.

  The one nearest me returned on their behalf. ‘Pretty good! How about you?’

  ‘Yeah, alright.’

  ‘How was your time off then? Anything interesting happen?’