F-0024 The note that ran long only about the multifunction printer

Handover (desk area)

To Okumura-san,

I am sorry this handover has ended up on paper. I had to clear out my desk sooner than I expected, and there was no time to talk. It will read as somewhat disorganized, but please go through it in order. For anything unclear, ask Fukuda-san in general affairs. Most of it, Fukuda-san knows better than I do.

1. Morning unlocking is at 8:15. Please get the key and the security card from Fukuda-san. Plug the kettle into the left outlet in the kitchenette. The right one trips in winter when the heater is on at the same time.

2. Copy paper is ordered once a month, all together on a Friday (the order forms are with Fukuda-san). If it runs out midway, have copies made at the convenience store in front of the station. It goes through on a receipt. There is one old package of paper left at the very back of the shelf; Okumura-san, please do not use that one.

3. Water the potted plant by the entrance on Mondays and Thursdays. With too much sun, the leaves start going white.

4. About the multifunction printer. This will be long.

If you can, please come in first in the morning and look at the output tray before anything else. There are days when paper is left there. It has the look of a record of a meeting. Since the machine was replaced, I have seen only the one sheet I describe in item 5 — but I cannot write that it will not come again. Without reading it, fold it in half, put it in a brown envelope, and keep it in the bottom drawer of the desk. I am leaving the key with this note. I will come to collect the envelopes at the end of each month.

I think it would be rude to write only “do not read it” and give no reason, so I will write down the one thing that happened. On the first morning, I took the paper for leftover minutes someone had printed, and I read it in the kitchenette. In the meeting past ten, when I complained about the air conditioning, I realized I had read the same phrasing in the third line of that morning’s pages. I realized it while I was still speaking. Saying it while thinking, I know how the rest of this goes, was a strange feeling. Afterward, the person at the next desk told me I had fallen silent mid-sentence. I was sure I had said it to the end. Which it was, I still do not know.

For a while after that, I had a habit of searching for that paper in my head before saying anything. I read it only that once. The searching took much longer to stop. To be honest, I searched a little before starting this note, too. Unread, it is only paper. Okumura-san, please do not read it.

5. Once, and only once, a sheet came out with the times lined up and every speech field blank. It did not feel like something to put in an envelope, so I did not. If one comes out, tear it up. Okumura-san, please do not read the times either. And — on that day — is as far as I got before stopping, because from here on, whatever I write stops being a handover, so I will leave it. Tearing it up is enough. Okumura-san, please do not read it.

6. Whoever leaves last should switch off the multifunction printer. Faxes cannot be received until morning, but as far as I know, that has never once caused a problem. No one will say anything if it is left on, but Okumura-san, please switch it off. If anyone asks why, you may tell them the previous clerk was particular about it. It should be you, Okumura-san, who switches it off.

This has run long. In summer, the office is easier if you open the windows just for the morning. Take care of yourself.

(In the margin, in fine ballpoint) Even after the new machine came, I looked at the tray every morning before starting work. On mornings with no paper, I tried not to speak until I had confirmed there was none. I know it is an odd habit. Okumura-san, you do not need to go that far. I thought I would write down my contact information here in case something happens, but I was too afraid to. I am sorry. Okumura-san, please stay safe.