We piled out of minivans and SUVs in front of our office, car-poolers clutching briefcases and lunch bags. It was Monday, the beginning of another week.

We trudged into work, dragging the overcoats our spouses had made us wear in case it got cold or rainy. Inside, we gossiped while sipping our coffee. When the final bell rang, we scurried to our cubicles.

"Settle down and listen up," our boss said. As she read the roll call, we fidgeted in our seats, waiting for our names to come alphabetically. We responded with "Here!" or "Present!"

"Where's Morgan?"

"His wife said he wasn't feeling good yesterday."

"Feeling 'well,' not 'good.' "

"Sorreee, Boss."

"He'd better bring a note tomorrow," she said, and completed the roll call.

Our daily chores forced us to use our writing, math and social studies skills. Meetings were long, so we risked flicking paper footballs across the table and doodling on our papers.

Between meetings, we tried to look thoughtful as we stared out the window. Was it going to be a nice day? What would it feel like to take off our shoes and walk on the warm sidewalk outside? Wish we could bring our dogs to work.

"Ma'am, may I go to the bathroom?"

"Wait till Johnson gets back. And I'd better not catch anyone smoking in there. This office has zero tolerance for smoking, and I will send you to the Human Relations office."

Time crawled.

"May I get a drink of water?"

"Very well, but no horsing around at the water fountain. That's how accidents happen."

At lunch in the breakroom, it was the usual routine.

"What have you got?"

"Let's see. A low-calorie, low-fat microwave meal with chicken breast and green beans. You?"

"Leftover meat loaf. Want to trade?"

"Sure."

After lunch, we drowsily daydreamed of retirement, when no one could tell us what to do. It was hard to see that far ahead, though; summer vacation seemed just as distant -- even the weekend was out of sight.

Telephones rang. Keyboards clicked. Papers shuffled. As the poet said, "So on we worked and waited for the light."

Suddenly, day was done! We grabbed our hated coats and rushed the door.

"Walk, don't run," the boss cautioned. "There's no homework, but don't forget our field trip Friday to the company headquarters. Get your spouses to sign your permission slips."

In the parking lot, we inhaled fresh air.

"Hey, want to come over to my house and play with my new chain saw?"

"I can't. My wife is making me mow the lawn."

"Yeah, I'm supposed to clean out the garage anyway. See you tomorrow."