Prologue

Mary Ann

Parking Pecking Order

The Lunchtime Grab

Operation Early Bird

Solitaire

Baiting A Sloth

Instant Car-ma

The following Monday I arrived at 7:50am. I promptly parked in my spot. I expected Mary Ann to show up shortly after 8. Imagine my joy when she rolled in at 8:30; more than half-an-hour late. Not only had I taken the cherished spot, but I now knew that she arrived much later than the boss believed she was arriving. And better yet, she knew I knew.

She entered the office with a surprised and cheery, "You're here early." To which I gave a noncommittal, "I had some time to make up." I was not letting her off easy. I figured that this knowledge gave me the upper hand and would be enough to keep her out of my spot. I was wrong. It was not enough. She parked in my spot at the very next opportunity.

Angry as I was, I realized the spot war was going too far. I was getting up early. I was stressed out every time I pulled into work. Even with seniority and my newly acquired knowledge of Mary Ann's tardiness, she refused to concede. With the arrival of spring I decided to switch tactics. I took up residence in a new spot.

But conceding the battle didn't mean I had surrendered the war.

On the contrary, I had learned that a head-on assault was not going to win me the spot. So I flanked my opponent. I moved the war from the parking lot to the office.

Next: Solitaire