TORONTO – Recent studies have shown that local man Derek Waverly, who arrived late to your conversation at the office holiday party, is nonetheless interested in knowing what you guys are discussing.
“Oh yeah. Yep. Uh huh,” nodded Waverly along with your conversation, in a vain attempt to catch himself up while still appearing to contribute.
“And it’s just that I think it’s the immediacy of it, which simultaneously raises the stakes and makes it worth nothing,” suggested your friend Michelle Peters, in a salient point that flew directly over Waverly’s head.
Waverly offered a vague “Right, and I think kids are too harsh on each other, on top of that,” which was met with puzzled stares by all.
Waverly had missed the beginning of the conversation as he was loading up on shrimp cocktail before Chet from accounting got to the platter. Rather than cut his losses and seek stimulation elsewhere, Mr. Waverly made plain his interest.
“So wait, what are, what are you talking about?” he asked.
As the conversation continued without answering his question, Waverly assumed you hadn’t heard him: “Sorry, what are you talking about?”
Finally, you buckle to him and explain, “whether film reviews are worth paying attention to, or if you prefer to just go in cold.”
Waverly appeared momentarily satisfied, before deciding he actually did not have much to contribute after all and moved on. He is currently attempting to slide himself into the conversation between a group of managers over in the corner.
