I loosened my tie then continued to clap my hands in a somewhat congratulatory way as another one of the overweight drones celebrated their birthday. It was Martha today. Marth was 58 and as she sat red cheeked and blowing out a forest fire of candles I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Martha was 58 and despite the fact that I seem to ahve an uncontrollable intolerance for people over the age of 45 who freak out when their computer goes to sleep in the same way they would if one of their cats fell from an 11 story building Martha was tolderable. She was a widow who would straighten m y tie liek I was her own son getting ready for prom night. She was head of HR and din't blink twice about baking casseroles whenever someone had a loved one pass away or covering for the receptionist when she couldn't find a babysitter and had to abandon her post. Marth wasa very sweet woman who never had any children and treated each employee like they were a child of her own. After Martha's husband passed away she poured herself into her work.