One Week Ago

Penelope was never the center of attention. Just another generic employee like the rest of us. She would come and go without much notice. Blending into the crow of regular people.

That all changed two weeks ago. 

Today is her last day with the company. She’s drawing in everyone like bees to honey. The office itself somehow seems brighter. Rarely seen executives emerged from their cottages and private beaches, making a point to be here today. They join the rest of us clamoring for as little as a glance in our direction from her. 

What makes Penelope so special? She was one of the lucky few able to get Zero-G-Fit treatment. It’s an invite-only miracle service. They launch you into space like some kind of chubby, ill-suited astronaut. You go up a rotund, out of shape regular schlub and come back looking like an elite athlete. All without so much as lifting a weight or even attempting a diet. 

Penelope is a perfect spokesperson. She went unnoticed before the treatment. Now we’re throwing a party for her. She’s leaving for a life in Las Vegas as a model or something like that. I’m not exactly sure what. I just know it’s one of those jobs where you never really know what it is that they actually do. They just get paid to exist and get free stuff thrown at them. Just looking pretty, going to parties and drinking expensive cocktails. 

I’ve heard about the Zero-G-Fit here and there, but I didn’t think it was real until today. I assumed, as anyone would, that anything claiming a life-changing transformation was bogus. The same as anything else you see online. I’ve yet to get a fruit slicer that has truly changed my life for the better. Instead, I’m witnessing a former fellow wallflower brimming with confidence. The confidence you can’t learn. It’s a confidence you wear effortlessly.

If I’m being honest, I’m jealous. 

There’s good news. I have a way into this invite-only club. I just have to get close enough to Penelope to get her attention, but executives who just learned her name a week ago are making that a lot harder for me. They attempt thinly-veiled pickup lines that will never work, but she seems happy to take the spotlight while they’re offering. She smiles and waves the attention off with such ease and grace. It’s impressive.

She excuses herself and breaks free from the crowd, heading over to the snack table to pour herself a drink. I try to look like I’m just inspecting the snacks myself. I feel like a clumsy oaf next to her. This is my only real chance, so I make my move. 

“Hey, Penelope.”

“Hi. Jayden, right?”

We’ve worked long enough that I should be offended that she barely knows my name. Instead, I feel a jolt of electricity at the thought of being acknowledged by her.  I never said I didn’t understand why everyone is acting this way around her. I’m not above it myself.

“Yeah,” I say after too long a pause. I follow it up with nothing. 

She blinks at me as I struggle to come up with more. 

“Well…” She says, beginning to turn away towards anything other than this awkward conversation I’ve started.

“How did you get in touch with the Zero-G-Fit guys anyway?”

I’ve said something right. Penelope turns back to me, beaming with excitement. She puts down her drink and digs through her small purse. 

“Oh boy! I’m so glad you asked. I can tell you where I went. I can’t recommend it enough. Do you see this? I was nobody a few weeks ago. And now-”

“It’s honestly incredible.”

“It’s amazing. Really.”

She pulls a business card out of her purse and hands it to me. 

“You should really see it for yourself.. Tell them I sent you.” 

“I have so many questions. Does it hurt? How long does it take?”

Penelope gets called over by a couple of high rollers. The party is starting to shift towards us as they try to get Penelope’s attention. I see her eyes dart towards them. I got what I needed anyway. 

“Trust me. You’ll want to go there in person. They’ll answer all your questions,” She says, already looking away from me. “But really, make sure to tell them I sent you.” 

I look back at the business card. There’s not much on it. Just the Zero-G-Fit logo, an address and a barcode. No website or phone number. They probably just want to give you the hard sell in a setting they control. Not that I need it. I’m already sold. 

Normally something so cloak and dagger would make me uneasy, but results speak for themselves. Our CEO arrives and is fawning over Penelope, offering her 100-year-old scotch from her secret liquor cabinet to get her attention. She never makes appearances on our floor. I’m shocked she found her way here on her own. Now she looks like she might leave her husband to be with Penelope given the chance. 

I want that power.