The Worker’s Dream

I was a worker in a massive manufacturing corporation. For some reason Management desired a skit from a few volunteers. No guidance or parameters were given, nor any particular talents or abilities sought. Three of us were selected as volunteers and we began to make our way up into the corporate headquarters building.

I was wearing a one piece jumpsuit coveralls, my only piece of clothing. Questions of all sorts were all we had other than each other, a woman, myself and another nondescript guy whom I saw very little of and with whom I did not converse. The woman seemed to have some idea of where we were to go, so I followed her as best I could, but we were soon separated. 

Elevators are challenges, mysterious and untrustworthy in dreamland. They are capricious, but can go in any direction rather than just strait up, including sideways. As we made our way to our meeting location, I became aware of the distinction of my appearance. My fellow volunteer was as confused as I about the assignment, but we were brought as willing as we could be considering our employment status with the company. 

I was soon separated and wandered around trying to keep my ragged jumpsuit together and find some place that would be suitable for a gathering. High up into the offices and hallways I was found by an executive who grabbed me, pulling me aside. He knew I was to present at the meeting and carried a ringed manual stuffed with added papers and notes. He was urgent and seemed distressed about conditions greater than the worker presentation or meeting. I followed him for a while as he gave me a quick update about the dire circumstances facing the manufacturing operations and the Corporation overall. He was responsible, but the magnitude, urgency and complexity of the problems were beyond him or anyone. I questioned him about my roll in the meeting; what our presentation was to include and how it was to be done. He only said that we would have to decide that ourselves, and I realized he had no hope, solutions or ideas to remedy the inevitable disaster ahead. He gave me his over-stuffed manual and sent me off to the gathering. 

My associates found me and we entered a cafeteria where many employees were siting around tables. I was still singular in my dress. I looked through the manual I held and saw that it was useless. Somehow the woman and I communicated that we were company employees which gave us purpose. That purpose was to do and be productive for the company. We had no presentation, but our humble appearance and simple declaration said more than any lecture or speech. We conveyed hope that purpose alone was sufficient to overcome any obstacle. There was no specific mention of providence, but everyone understood by their own experience and intuition that though everything was bigger and more complex than we could grasp, providence would carry us through if we individually and collectively held to our purpose. That ended the meeting and we returned to our places and duties.