Peter pulled up to the Global Plaza headquarters, his heart pounding with excitement and nerves. He always finds a first day at a new client difficult, as everything is new, and it is important to make a great first impression.
As Peter stepped out of his car, he took a deep breath, and gazed up at the monumental building. He had always heard wonderful things about Global Plaza's success and he was eager to start the project.
However, a cold dread crept over Peter as he surveyed the almost deserted parking lot. It was almost 10 in the morning, and there should have been hundreds of cars parked here. Yet, there were only a few dozen and Peter had a feeling that something was not right. He paused before mustering up the courage to step out of his vehicle, his hand gripping the door handle tightly.
As he approached the entrance, Peter felt a mixture of feelings roll through him: anxiety, sadness, and despair. He had never seen a building so quiet or empty.
As Peter stepped into the deserted entrance hall, he noticed the walls were lined with portraits of the people who had run the company in years past, and Peter could almost hear their whispers echoing in the halls: secrets they wanted to keep locked away. He felt like he was walking into a different dimension, where the entire world had been wiped out by some terrible disaster.
Peter took a deep breath, and approached the lonely receptionist. "Good morning," he said, trying to sound confident. "I'm here to start as a member of the SAP project." The old man nodded, and called a number to confirm Peter's arrival.
The receptionist handed Peter a key card and directed him to the elevators. "You'll be expected on the fifth floor," he said.
Peter stepped into the elevator, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. As the elevator doors closed, he couldn't help but feel like he was being drawn into a strange and unfamiliar world. He took a deep breath, and tried to shake the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of his stomach.
As the elevator doors opened on the fifth floor, Peter stepped out into a deserted open office. Rows of cubicles stretched out in front of him. The only sound was the hum of the air conditioning, and Peter couldn't help but feel like he had stepped into a typical office that sucked all the enjoyment out of you.
Peter walked down the aisle and took in the sight before him. Boxes and storage lockers lined the walls. A broken overhead light swayed overhead, and the carpet was so stained it looked as if it had been pulled straight out of a landfill. Peter couldn't help but think that he had made a huge mistake. There was no way this dump was going to turn around.
Peter stalks through the deserted cubicles, meticulously studying the surroundings until he spots the office tucked into the far corner of the room. Through the glass he can make out a figure hunched over a laptop. He quickens his pace and strides confidently to the door, assuming it must be Sean.
"Hello Sean," he exclaims confidently, as he pushes open the door. But when the figure looks up, Peter's confidence dissipates. Their eyes lock, and Peter can sense a strange confusion in the air. "I'm not Sean," the figure responds coldly.
Peter felt a sense of disappointment wash over him. He had been looking forward to meeting Sean, and he couldn't help but feel like he had walked into some kind of trap.
The man behind the laptop introduced himself as Magnus Thackeray, and he asked Peter to wait outside as he was in the middle of something. Peter stepped out of the office, feeling a sense of fear and uncertainty settle in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had made a huge mistake.
As Peter sat in the empty office, his thoughts were filled with doubts and fears. He couldn't help but think that he had landed in the middle of a nightmare, and he couldn't escape. He was so lost in thought that he didn't even hear Magnus come out of his office.
"I'm sorry about the state of the office," Magnus said, as he approached Peter. "The building is going to be demolished, and the headquarters are moved to the centre of London. We're the last ones to vacate it."
Peter was relieved that his job did not require him to work in this building for long, and he eagerly anticipated exploring the vibrant nightlife that Soho was known for.
"You were directed to this floor because the managers sit here," Magnus continued. "The others are currently in the auditorium on the ground floor, but I'll take you down to the fourth floor, where we have a kitchenette. I'll make you a cup of coffee and we can sit down and chat."
As they walked down the hallway and took the emergency stairs to the fourth floor, Peter couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. He was finally going to get some answers.
When they reached the kitchenette, Magnus offered Peter a cup of coffee and they sat down at a table. "I'm sorry to dampen your excitement," Magnus said, as he took a sip of coffee. "But I have to tell you that the SAP project team stays here in Guildford, and we are moving to an new office near the main railway station soon."
Peter felt his heart sink. He had been so excited about the prospect of spending his evenings in London.
Magnus continued must have noticed Peter's disappointment, as he leaned forward and said, "There will be numerous opportunities to visit London. In fact, Guildford is considered a better location than the hectic and stressful central London."
Peter raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Magnus's words.
"London is a vibrant city, but it can be overwhelming," Magnus continued. "Guildford, on the other hand, is a charming town dating back to the Roman times. It's known for its medieval architecture, including the Guildford Castle, and its beautiful countryside."
As Magnus spoke more about the history of Guildford, Peter started to see the appeal of the town. It was a charming place, with a rich history and a great community. And, with London just a train ride away, he could still experience all the excitement of the city whenever he wanted.
"I understand it may not seem as thrilling as working in central London," Magnus said, finishing his coffee. "But I promise you, it's a fantastic place to be. You'll be working on a great project with a talented team. I think you'll find that you've made the right choice."
With Magnus's words, Peter felt a sense of relief wash over him. He was starting to see that remaining in Guildford was not such a bad thing after all. He was going to be working on a challenging project with a dedicated team, and close to one of the most exciting cities in the world.
Peter has to keep reminding himself that the waves of anxiety he gets every time he starts something new will eventually settle. His emotions have been ranging from excitement to dread today, and all he can do is hope that he'll be in a better mood when he finally meets his colleagues.