The Institution (2 of 3): The Secretary

I looked around the hall, I saw a door leading to what must be another office, but the door was closed.
Outside was a large desk, and a man sat behind it talking on the phone in a low voice.

I came closer to his desk, he didn't look up. I'd have thought he didn't notice me, had his voice not turned to a whisper as I approached.
He quickly ended the call and looked up, his face had a concrete look but his eyes shone behind it. I found myself asking him to let me into that office.

He seemed to look through me, and with a flat tone informed me that the general manager is not feeling very well, and he would rather not see anybody.

I insisted, citing something about the right to meet the head of the establishment for which I work.

He looked through me again, and I realized he was looking at something behind me, and then he raised his voice and said that I shouldn't think he doesn't know who I am and why I'm here, how he is aware of everything happening within the walls of the institution and outside it, and then he seemed to focus his gaze on me again and told me to leave now or he'll take disciplinary action.

I looked behind me, and that's when I saw there were tiny cameras hung from the corners of the hall.

In a sudden spark of inspiration, I slowly spoke about how I can write to the papers and tell them how the secretary of the institution on which all eyes are set was terrorizing its employees, how he prevented anyone from seeing the manager and assumed his responsibilities already, I spoke even more slowly and deliberately, stressing the words as I added that he acted as if the manager was already dead.

His face finally broke into anger and he yelled at me. I was fired and must leave now or he'd have me thrown outside, I shook a little but held my ground and told him that nobody will be able to force me out of there.

Then a speaker buzzed on his desk and a tired, crackly voice told him to let me in.

The secretary answered yes certainly your excellence you are too lenient we are coming in a minute. He wiped all expression from his face again and in a voice that barely betrayed his rage told me to follow him.

(to be continued)