Lifestyles of the poor and nameless

That's right kids...it's time for another round of "Survivor". For those who are just tuning in, I've done 3 rounds of "Survivor", in which I "eliminate" friends/co-workers/family members or just random people whom I'd rather not deal with (check the archives). For this 4th round, I return to the work-place.This round's elimination belongs to "Janet".

Janet is a nice, older (about 50s/60s) woman who works at my job. She is one of 3 Black people who work on my side of the hall. Because there are so few of us, I feel that I must maintain good communication. Janet is also very sickly. She has been hospitalized several times for respiratory problems. The problem is that she smokes like a chimney. If we were allowed to smoke in the building, I'm sure her ashtray would be overflowing. In any case, her smoking isn't really any of my business...except for the fact that she is a "close talker". You know, those people who stand less than an arm's length away from you when they talk to you....invading your personal space.

So every morning, she passes my desk on her way to the A.C's office. She says hi and I say hi back. Then she comes to my desk and starts talking about some random thing. No matter how busy I try to appear, she will stand there for at least 5 minutes, cigarette smoke literally spewing from her pores. She might as well be smoking a cigarette in my cube. (No, I'm not exaggerating). Even after she leaves, the vicinity smells smoky. I have no clue how much she smokes each day, but for a woman with severe respiratory issues, any smoking is too much.

She recently told me that her best friend (whom she is unable to locate for some reason) has the same name as I do. She thinks that's a sign, and we are destined to be good friends. She's a nice lady, really...but if she keeps talking to meI may fall out from smoke inhalation. I have resorted to hiding in the adjoining empty cubicle when I hear her coming down the hall. *Sigh*. Sorry Janet, but you've gotta leave the island.