Surprise Birthday

I don't often draw a Sunday shift, but there are times when it is necessary. Today was my day for the 2 to 6 shift. The Library Director had elected to take the 6 to 10pm shift, this precursor day to the semester's beginning when students would be milling about, checking email, reconnecting with friends, scoping out changes.

It was busier than I expected, a number of grad students already well into their research. As I demonstrated databases and provided directions to various resources, my tummy tingled with anticipation. Our Operations Manager had decided to spring a surprise birthday party on our director, and I knew that after my shift people would be sneaking into the building with cake and drinks and a gift.

It was easy enough for me to mumble an excuse about staying awhile to get some stuff done, but others had to take a circuitous route in the back door, up the stairs, down the elevator and sneak into the staff break room while the director was not looking in their direction. At one point, sequestered in my office, I got a call from the Curriculum Lab. How odd! No one was in that area that I knew of.

Two staff members had nearly been spotted getting off the elevator. They quickly closed the door and beat it back upstairs, hiding out and calling me to run interference while they snuck back down. At last everyone had gathered in the staff room, and I got to execute the subterfuge to get the director into the staff room. I just said there was something odd going on in the staff room and could he please come and take a look. I stood back and indicated that he should go first.

The lights were off, but the candles on the cake were lit. As soon as he opened the door, everyone yelled "surprise!" And indeed, he was. We had a good laugh and everyone recounted their escapade about how they snuck in. The lemon cake was delicious and the gift appreciated. I don't know who had a better time - the director or the plotters who carried it off. It was fun for sure.