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Hypothetical. What do you do if someone is excellent at the work but ignores protocol?

Three dots appear instantly.

Nadia

Define protocol.

Site access. Pre-hire.

Liv:

Is this the photographer?

Nadia

Obviously.

Liv

Was it dangerous?

Sam

No.

Priya

Then stop building a case file in your head and ask him.

Priya is right. She usually is.

Priya

He’s still cute though, right.

Not helpful.

I set the phone face-down.

She's always right in the specific, annoying way that means she's identified what you've already half-decided and won't let you avoid it.

So why am I shopping around for another answer?

If I ask him and he shrugs—if he tells me the shot was worth it, if he laughs it off—then I know I can't trust him. I know he’s the kind of person who thinks rules are suggestions, and I know I’m going to spend the next six months cleaning up his mess.

And if I ask him and he has a good answer?

Then I have to decide if I believe him.

I pick up the phone, but I don't unlock it. I hit Print on my laptop.

The machine in the corner whirs to life.Chk-chk-chk.Paper slides into the tray. One page. Two.

I walk over and pick them up. The paper is still warm.

My phone buzzes against the wood of the desk. It’s loud in the quiet office.

Tom