I remember it. It was one of those days where I woke up earlier than I intended. Had this nightmare lingering in my mind of children screaming.
Went to work. This was back when we all didn't have instant information streaming into our eyeballs everywhere. I heard something about an explosion at the world trade center. An accident of some sort? A bomb? It was very hazy at first. It took some time for it to become clear that this was a terrorist attack. I think it was maybe later on in the day.
The people I knew from the east coast felt it quite a bit stronger than I did. Every time I went anywhere it's all anyone was talking about. The roads were empty and gasoline dropped to less than a dollar a gallon.
I remember worrying about the consequences of overreacting to this. I also remember being very glad when I heard we were dispatching our fleets towards Afghanistan.
I was the new hire. Sign Design/Engineer. Was there about three weeks.
People were restless that morning. I had a secluded office. No uninvited traffic. Something was wrong.
My favorite sales babe climbed the stairs to my office. A cube in the loft of the shop.
"some shit is happening."
I went downstairs into the bosses office. Turned on his TV and was stunned.
Roy finally shows up. Thoroughly pissed that I'm in his office.
Rightfully so.
I had already heard that his son had beat him to a pulp
a few months prior to me coming on board.
Roy had 'Little Man Syndrome.'
(show of hands, who thinks he bullied me twice?

)
While I was at his desk I perused his papers.
Oh, SHIT, divorce papers. Apparently he physically abused his wife.
He shows up later and freaks that I'm in his office watching coverage.
"I'M NOT PAYING YOU TO WATCH TV
!"
(This is after he bounced a paycheck a week before.

)
"Gunna beat me like you beat your wife?", I tapped the papers.
I stayed until I realized he was going under.
It was 18 minutes away by bus and trolly.