Jay and Silent Bob

So is it a bad sign when you're leaving the office at 7pm on a Tuesday, and the security guard who usually checks on you says, "Leaving work early, eh?"

Yes, the security guards check on me. I'm often the last one left in Administration and the executive offices are right off the main lobby. They also insist on walking me (or driving me) out to my car if I'm alone. St. Fozzie's is in a bad part of southern Chicago and it's well-known that white women do not walk around by themselves after dark.

Sometimes, though, I used to feel ornery and try to take off by myself. It never failed, one of the security guards would catch up to me and walk with me. I gave up and got used to this protective service. As a result, I'm getting to know them pretty well.

For instance, Jay works second shift on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. M and T are almost always late nights for me. I'm lucky if I get out of there by 8pm. I call security for my regulatory escort and Jay walks me out to the parking lot. Jay is married, has two kids, and co-owns a dog-grooming company. He talks and talks and has an opinion about most things.

Silent Bob works on Wednesday and Friday. He's the nicest guy around. A big, burly African American guy, he'd take a bullet for anyone and in a former life, probably served as bodyguard for Britney Spears. Or maybe the President. Bob is married with grown children. He isn't one for small talk and takes his job very seriously.

I feel safe and appreciate that Security takes my safety so seriously. Yes, I'm a young administrator who's probably an easy target (skirts, heels, lots of bags and purses) in a bad neighborhood. It makes me feel special that they're so protective over me! I'm sure EVOO put them up to this, but I still appreciate it!