The Popcorn Hour occurs every work day at 4 PM.
The First Rule of the Popcorn Hour is that the popcorn must never be popped before 4 o’clock. Exceptions can only be made for half-days, and on days I have to leave work early. Otherwise, the popcorn cannot be popped before the appointed hour.
As that magic hour nears, I get up from my desk, go over to a cabinet, and take a package of microwave popcorn out of a secret supply I keep in reserve. I then proceed to the break room to microwave up some tasty kernels.
Sometimes, I start the microwaving process before 4 o’clock but, as a strict rule, I never finish before 4:00 PM straight up. In otherwords, it is permissible to pop popcorn into the Popcorn Hour, just not before it. Often, people come into the break room and comment on my popcorn making. I respond with some innocuous chit-chat. However, I am very careful not to engage in conversation. I don’t want the people to hang around until the popcorn is ready because I might have to share some.
And that’s because the Second Rule of the Popcorn Hour is try to keep it all for yourself!
copyright 2014 Magnus Incognito