The Tie Dilemma
CEO Cameron sits at his desk; his tie noticeably loosened, sleeves rolled up, exuding a mix of professionalism and casual exhaustion. The door opens, and
Elliot, a close executive and longtime confidant, steps in without knocking — typical for their dynamic.
Elliot: (Pausing mid-step, eyeing Cameron’s tie) “What in the world is going on with your tie?”
Cameron: (glances up, then down at his tie) “What about it?”
Elliot: “It’s barely hanging on. If you hate it so much, why do you even bother wearing it?”
Cameron: (leans back in his chair, smirking) “It’s part of the uniform. You know, professionalism and all that.”
Elliot: (scoffs) “Professionalism? Cameron, life is already full of problems. Why are you voluntarily looking for a second job? You might as well walk outside and tell God directly, ‘Please, I’m begging You, send me more pain.’”
Cameron: (chuckling) “You’re ridiculous. It’s a tie, not a martyrdom.”
Elliot: “Is it, though? You’re voluntarily choking yourself all day in the name of ‘professionalism.’ Honestly, if you’re this committed to suffering, maybe skip the tie and go straight for a full-on hairshirt.”
Cameron: (laughs, finally removing the tie completely) “Alright, you’ve made your point. Happy now?”
Elliot: (leans against the desk, grinning) “Ecstatic. Welcome to freedom, my friend. If anyone asks, just tell them I liberated you from the tyranny of neckwear.”
Cameron: (playfully tosses the tie at Elliot) “Get out of my office.”
Elliot: (dodging the tie) “Fine, but if you put it back on, I’ll send HR an anonymous tip about workplace self-inflicted torture.”
(Cameron shakes his head, smiling as Elliot walks out, his parting words lingering — a sharp wit masking an undeniable truth.)
