[ WP ] Sometimes the only thing to do when you hit rock bottom , is to take everyone else down with you .

There he sat. The atrium room, as always. Emilio did n't like idle hands, but felt he had to take a break from reality. He had reached his boiling point. In front of him sat a row of photos on his computer desk. He took time to examine each closely. The photo of his ex-wife during their trip to Spain. Their son, aged 5, playing with his construction set, and of course, the infamous `` group photo'' of his ex-wife, himself, and several of their `` friends,'' one of whom later turned out to be the man she left him for. Emilio had stared at this photo countless times but this time he could not feel any anger, only relief. While he knew his patience had finally worn thin, he could n't allow his anger to get to him. He still had a job to do. 
 
 `` David?'' He shouted from the room, unsure if his son was still home or not. The lack of response confirmed he had in fact left, so Emilio decided to leave him a note. It read only these words. 
 
 `` Sometimes the only thing to do when you hit rock bottom, is to take everyone else down with you.'' 
 
 And with that, he started out the door, duffel bag slung behind his back. The drive was same as it always had been, uneventful and relatively easy. There was never any traffic this time of day. Once he reached sixth street, he turned in to the driveway of the building whose overhead sign read `` Sanford and Co,'' and headed into the parking structure. Emil took one last look out at the city's skyline from the 4th floor of the parking structure, before retrieving his duffel bag from the trunk and heading to the elevator that lead to the office. 
 
 `` Hey Emil! Did n't uh, did n't expect to see you here today.'' Said Sarah, the friendly receptionist and mother of four whose job at the front of the office had now been for almost 10 years. 
 
 `` Hi Sarah.'' He said in a cold, monotonous reply. He was almost out the door when he stopped in his tracks, as if to ponder something. After a moment or two, he turned to speak to Sarah again. 
 
 `` Hey.'' He said. 
 
 `` Yes?'' 
 
 `` Is that your blue Honda down there on the 2nd floor?'' 
 
 Sarah nodded. `` Yes it is. Why?'' 
 
 `` Oh.'' He said. `` It's uh, the alarm is going off. It has been going off since I arrived. You should check it out.'' 
 
 `` Oh, really? Okay.'' Sarah said, standing up. Emilio spoke once more before heading into the office. 
 
 `` Yeah. Also, I think I saw someone trying to uh.. pick the lock. So you should really hurry up. Like, go, right now.'' He said. Sarah nodded again, and hurried to the elevator. 
 
 As Emilio stepped into the office, he was greeted by several co-workers, though he ignored them, focusing on getting to his boss's personal office. He was in a meeting, though Emilio barged in anyway. 
 
 `` I need to talk to you.'' Were the first words out of his mouth. 
 
 His boss was taken aback. `` Uhm, Emilio. I'm, busy right now. I think you need to step out and wait.'' 
 
 Emilio shook his head. `` No. I need to talk to you. Right now. It ca n't wait.'' 
 
 The boss sighed, reluctantly dismissing his guests, who gave Emilio a glare of disappointment and disgust as they exited. This only further reinforced his feelings. 
 
 `` What?'' Asked his boss, impatient. 
 
 `` Look.'' Emilio began, his tone becoming softer and more sympathetic. `` I know what I did yesterday was wrong. I lost my temper. I never meant to yell at her, or you. I've just..'' His boss cut him off. 
 
 `` I get it. You're stressed. I know you just went through a bad divorce. I think.. you know, this is the 3rd time this has happened, Emil'. I think it's possible you need to see a counselor or something.. I do n't know. Just deal with this shit, because the effects are being felt through out the entire office.'' 
 
 Emil nodded, hanging his head in shame. `` So do I... uh..'' He began, gulping. His boss spoke before he could finish his sentence. 
 
 `` Yes, Emilio.'' He said, sighing. `` You still have a job. For now. But this needs to get settled, immediately.'' 
 
 Emilio nodded, a large smirk forming on his face. `` You're right. You're absolutely right. This does need to get settled. Look. I uh, I picked up a little something on my way to work. It's in this bag here.'' 
 
 `` I was wondering what that was.'' Said his boss. Emilio nodded and continued. 
 
 `` Yeah. Consider it a token of my gratitude, and an apology of sorts. But I'd like to show everyone in the office, if that's possible. They all witnessed what I did yesterday. They all deserve an apology for that.'' 
 
 His boss nodded, seemingly impressed with Emilio's humility. `` Alright, I'll gather them all up.'' 
 
 Emil smiled, shook his head, and both men headed out into the main office. Over the noise of the fax machine, water-cooler conversations and typing, his boss spoke with a raised voice to the numerous employees. 
 
 `` Attention everyone.'' He said. `` Emilio here knows uh.. you all saw what happened yesterday. He lost his temper. But that's okay. We all make mistakes. He took the liberty of coming to our office today to formally apologize for his behavior, which, in my opinion, sets a precedence you should ALL aspire to. What he is doing today is very mature, and in showing how apologetic he is, he has brought us something that he'd like to show us all.'' 
 
 Emilio's co-workers, some sitting, some standing, all gazed on, his boss having gotten their attention. The room fell silent, except for a few claps. 
 
 `` That's right.'' Said Emilio. `` I know what happened here was wrong. Very wrong. I suppose all I can say is, sorry. Sorry for what happened, and sorry for this.'' He said, reaching into his duffel bag. From it, he withdrew not an array of flowers, not some sort of monument or bag of goodies, but instead, a shiny, polished, brand-new AR-15 rifle. 
 
 
 Several blocks away, commotion could be heard. 
 
 `` What the hell is that?'' Asked John the UPS delivery man as he held out his clipboard for old man Stevens to sign. 
 
 `` Damn kids.'' Said Stevens. `` Sounds like yellin', or playin' with firecrackers. It's too early for that shit.'' 
 
 John nodded. `` Yeah. I guess so.'' 
 
 
 

