The Appointment

  Doug Johnson had a ten o'clock appointment with a man named Cranston, at a company called, Tech Technologies, and he was running late. He arrived rushing through the door at five of, and Mr. Cranston's secretary shot him an accusing look. It was as if she was looking at both him, and the clock  behind him, both at the same time. She looked down at her work, without saying a word.
Doug felt immediately uncomfortable, and sat down at a chair between the clock and the window. There was the buzz of an intercom, and a voice said, Judy, has my ten o'clock arrived yet? Yes Mr. Cranston, she said, I believe he just came in? Doug looked at her nodding, and she said, You can go in now sir.
  When he entered the inner office, Mr. Cranston stood looking out his window, and he said to Doug, I see you like to cut things close, does that mean you'll be the type of employee who is frequently late? He turned from the window and looked straight at Doug who was standing also, and motioning to a chair in front of his desk he said, Have a seat please. As Mr. Cranston went about settling himself behind his desk, Doug thought to himself, This has not started well.