Sherman's Tale: Part One- Into The Woods

Chapter II

Creative Industries
Office of Overseer Wrenchwrinkle


Now here he sat, waiting for the Overseer to call him into his office. Sherman was nervous as to what he had been called in for. He had somewhat of an idea but he had hoped it was something different. He hoped he was being promoted to a higher position where his job would be undoubtedly secured. However, little did he know that today, this would not be the case. The secretary was arguing on the telephone, and whoever was arguing with her had been yelling back pretty loud. Sherman could hear the static voice on the other end of the line as he sat waiting in utter silence.

The Overseer had been contemplating his thoughts in the office for the past half hour. He barely knew how he could tell Sherman the news. The boy had worked in the factory since he was ten, and he was as much a part of the daily workforce as anybody else. Sherman worked to the best of his ability, everyday he could. He never took sick days unless he had to, when Ellina would call in and say, “He’s at it again, sick as a seal. He wants to come in today but I swear I won’t let him. We don’t want anyone else sick now do we?”

The door opened and Mr. Wrenchwrinkle took a step out, still standing in the doorway. “Please Sherman, come inside.”

Sherman slowly stood up and walked in the office. He kept his eyes looking downward and ignored the friendly squeeze on his shoulder. Mr. Wrenchwrinkle closed the door behind them and took a seat at his desk. “Please Sherman; you might want to have a seat.”

Now Sherman knew it was bad. He took a seat and sat quietly, every muscle in his body shaking with nervousness. He knew what was coming, and there was nothing he could do except to undertake the Overseer’s decision.

Mr. Wrenchwrinkle pushed himself up in his chair. “Listen Sherman, I’m going to make this short and simple. It’s not easy for me and you know I’ve supported you in everything you’ve done for this company, but rules are rules and they must be enforced. As you may already know, your height is now four-foot-one, and you’re way over the requirements for being a toy-elf. I’m sorry Sherman, you’re being reassigned.”

It struck Sherman hard, and as much as he knew it was coming, he was still in shock. He couldn’t even get up from his chair; he just sat with his eyes still glued to the floor. Mixed emotions and thoughts scrambled around in his brain as he silently questioned himself as to why this was happening to him, why fate had decided against him.

Mr. Wrenchwrinkle stood up from his desk, pushing his chair back, he walked around to Sherman. Placing his hand on the boy’s shoulder he bent over and whispered in his ear, “I’m sorry Sherman, you know I am and if I was able to bend the rules for you I would, but I can’t. I’m sorry.”

With the help of Mr. Wrenchwrinkle, Sherman stood up, and they both walked slowly to the door. Mr. Wrenchwrinkle put his hand on the doorknob but before he opened it he said a few last words to Sherman before sending him on his way. “Have the rest of the day off Sherman, speak to your mother, I’m sure she will help you work things out.”

Sherman took it slow, walking the long way home that afternoon. He couldn’t stop crying over the loss of his job, and when he got home, with his eyes full of tears; his mother had no trouble guessing what had happened. As soon as he walked in the door, Ellina pulled him into a hug and squeezed tightly as she too cried for him. Together they gradually moved through the house to Sherman’s room, where Ellina laid him down on his bed, stroking her fingers through her hair. She too patted his shoulder, before whispering in his ear, “Rest now Shermy, go to sleep, we’ll discuss the situation in the morning.” Though it was only around five o’clock, Sherman has exhausted himself and quickly fell asleep. The tears rolling uncontrollably down his face, staining the pillow on which he rested his head.