Everyday Heroes - Oticon

For A Change
By Nassrin el Halawani
Mr. Singh took a shortcut through production on his way to the
admin area. The production lines were fully staffed. He could hear
metal carts colliding and the odd shout penetrating the noise here
and there. He greeted his closest colleagues with a brief nod, noticing
how they just stared back under their blue plastic hats, which
made both the men and the women seem identical.
Singh moved swiftly through the production hall, all too quickly
for such a warm June day; a day on which he was all trussed up in
a jacket and tie. He felt nervous and devoid of thought. Eve hadn’t
been particularly impressed when he had told her that he had been
recommended for the post of production manager. She said, as she
had done so many times before, that this might be an ideal opportunity
to get his ears checked by a doctor.
On reaching the admin building, Singh could feel how the soft
carpets automatically slowed his pace. He greeted the receptionist
and turned towards the elevator. He pressed a button. It had just
turned red when he noticed a fi rm grip on his shoulder. Startled, he
turned abruptly to fi nd Michael standing next to him.
‘Hi, we don’t need to ignore each other just because we’re on opposite
sides of the fence, do we?’ said Michael with a smile.
‘No, of course not,’ replied Mr Singh rather tensely, taking in
Michael’s chalk-white teeth. Michael opened his mouth as if to
continue the conversation. Mr Singh saw to his relief that the elevator
had arrived. ‘Got to go,’ he apologised as he disappeared into
the lift. As the doors closed, he saw Michael working his charms at
the receptionist’s counter. She was beaming from head to foot.
Cheaply scored points, thought Singh.
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