Prakash was gripped with stress at work. It wasn’t because of the job. It was because of the boss. So, what’s new, you might ask. Most bosses are known to harangue, badger their subordinates: the rude bosses, the nit-picking ones, the micro-managers, the missing-in-action ones, the show-boats — the list is a long and painful one.
But, his boss, Paul had no such shortcomings. He was a kind and caring boss. He was competent. And, easy going. It was a breeze working for him. So, what exactly was the problem?
The problem was that Paul liked dressing as Paula. Umm, no, that wasn’t the problem, per se. Prakash respected diversity. The problem was Paul dressed as Paula only on certain days. And those days were not pre-decided. They were random, purely linked to Paul’s moods, particularly those to do with shaving.
Prakash would reach office early, and sit there nervously, practising his greeting based on his guess for the day. A firm handshake and a ‘guy joke’ if it were Paul; a gentlemanly handshake and a polite enquiry about the weekend, if it was Paula for that day. However, one could conclude that Prakash was not good at guessing. He would always be caught on the wrong foot, with the wrong handshake, and tons of sweat to boot.
‘Er, Hello Paula, haven’t seen you for a long time’, he blurted out one day.
‘What’s wrong with you, Prakash?’, Paula had growled through perfectly-painted lips.
A solution was needed. And, it was needed fast. Before Prakash was hauled up by the Protection of Diversity and Inclusivity committee for having said something out of line.
The opportunity came soon. Paul, perhaps due to some issues with Paula, had remained Paul for two entire weeks. Prakash was happy with the stability. He decided to take Paul out for dinner to that rock-climbing place Paul loved. Paul could climb first, Prakash would follow, and learn from the master himself. Over dinner, he’d share his fears. He would convey that he had no issues with his choice of dressing. Just, the unpredictability of it. Paul would re-assure him and give him some suggestions! Easy-peasy!
He reached office early, as usual and called Paul.
‘Hey, where are you? Coming in today?’
‘Yes, on my way. Should be there in fifteen minutes.’
‘Awesome! Hey, are you free in the evening?’
‘Umm, yes, I guess. What’s up?
‘Just something small,’ Prakash laughed nervously, ‘well, a surprise. Let’s talk when you get in.’
‘Okay, cool!’
Prakash thanked the Gods placed in his cubicle and those in the adjacent one also. Finally, his problem would end. No more panic attacks. No more fear of being summoned by committees. No more fear of being labelled an ‘anti-inclusionist’. From this day on, he could focus on his work, peacefully. Paul will have understood his concerns and would not be offended by any nervous remark made, thereafter.
It was around 10.15 am, and Prakash was still in his blissful reverie when a perfectly manicured finger, with a large-bejewelled butterfly for a ring tapped the edge of his chair. He looked up, startled.
‘Hi, Prakash, so what’s the surprise?!’, asked Paula.
Overcome with excitement and anxiety, Prakash blurted out, ‘Uhhh…umm, you will have to take the skirt off for the surprise!’
