Slipping the trap

2026:

Lxc: nonprofit ed who got promoted way too young with no management experience who is excellent at executing the mission and whose heart is in the right place but bless his heart you would not put him in charge of a pet rock because the pet rock would die. Gets away with an incredible amount of dysfunction because he's really nice. The person in charge of operations is g-d's strongest soldier and whatever they are getting paid it's not enough.

Nmj: ex military blue collar union guy. Thinks he's very fair and moral and thinks he runs a tight ship because he whips out drill sergeant stuff when people aren't acting right, meanwhile the amount of hazing going on would shame a british prep school. Confuses "yelling at staff" for "addressing the problem." If you're bringing problems with your coworkers to him then you're the one at fault. Man up and work harder. Does inspire big loyalty though.

Jiang Fengmian: checked out head of a family business who swears *he's * not the one bringing his family problems to work, it's his family doing that (he is absolutely doing that). Always says he's going to give people bonuses and always forgets. Actively jeopardizing the business with the family shit he refuses to deal with. Lets his kids and wife terrorize staff and then at most is like "now now, see this is why I can't finalize a succession plan."

Jin Guangshan: do I even need to say it.

Wen Ruohan: fully insane and delusional tech ceo who genuinely believes that like. If they don't build a superintelligence on the moon then the libs will win. Basically peter Thiel.

Wei Wuxian: startup nutcase. Sends you 10 emails for immediate reply at 3am. Misses your scheduled check in because he just HAD to try his new idea Right Now. Ethics and testing are for people who won't be remembered by history. Eats your lunch out of the fridge even when you lable it.

Jiang Cheng: he's on 30 under 30, his org is tight, they are famous for getting things done and done well, but nobody who works there smiles and its because boss man has never said a single nice thing about anyone's work and is always pissed off. Regularly makes staff cry by just saying mean shit. Sadly, he does not mean any of it and doesn't understand why turnover is so high. He does pay really well and the perks are great but is that enough to make up for him taking everything personally and making everything personal?

Speckled Racer (Drymobius margaritiferus), family Colubridae, South TX, USA

My first illustration for my typesetting of the amazing fic I wish you were my husband 🤭