No amount of caffeine could have woken him up that morning.

He stumbled off the elevator and shuffled his way through the dimly lit halls of his office building.

He didn’t feel like himself. He felt like someone else was in control of his body and he was just the passenger.

He swiped his badge.

Boop!

He opened the door and entered his office through the kitchenette.

The office was quiet, which was usual for a Tuesday.

He was an hour behind his usual schedule but he was certain there wouldn’t be enough people present to notice.

He entered his office, gently shut the door, hung up his bookbag and jacket before taking a seat to power his computer.

He never shuts down his computer. He simply logs out, because it takes a whole millennia for it to boot, and part of him was hoping the constant running would burn out the computer so his employer would be forced to either get him a new one or telework.

He was burning out. He only logs out and never shuts down.

He left his office for the kitchen.

His coffee was cold. He needed the microwave.

He needed to believe the caffeine would kick in eventually.

“Morning?” Someone called.

He looked over his shoulder to greet the old man. “Morning, how was your weekend?”

“It was fine, thank you,” His old coworker replied.

“Was the office busy yesterday?” He asked.

“The office was closed,” His old coworker replied.

“Oh, wow,” He itched his beard. “I teleworked yesterday.”

“The boss let us out early on Friday,” His old coworker said.

“I can imagine,” He responded. “The place must’ve been a ghost town.”

His old coworker nodded.

“The boss here?” He asked.

“Not yet,” His old coworker replied.

“Okay, let me know if you need me for anything,” He said.

“I will,” His old coworker waved before exiting the kitchen.

He popped his coffee in the microwave and set it for thirty seconds before stretching his ailing knees.

He questioned whether there was a different life for him. Whether he had reached his cosmic peak, and working hard to leave the office life was like fighting gravity and that he’d be far happier accepting his pre-destined position in life.

He pulled his coffee from the microwave with two seconds left on the timer.

The coffee was lukewarm, but he didn’t have the patience to wait another thirty seconds for his caffeine. He needed his caffeine. He could do nothing about his mental tiredness, but the physical tiredness…. caffeine will hold him over until its time to head home.

He returned to his office and immediately guzzled down half of the lukewarm coffee.

He sat in front of his computer and opened his email.

No new emails.

The coffee was failing to rejuvenate him.

He had to accept the reality that no amount of coffee or prayers or well wishes will replenish his mental and physical energy.

He sighed.

It was time to accept the reality that he will always be tired. Tired and bored was his lot in life, and ironically, the acceptance of that truth was his one chance of finding peace. If he can’t find success, then would dedicate his life to finding peace. It was all he could ever hope for.

He forced himself to smile before opening his word processor to begin his work.