The cold, controlled atmosphere of Sable’s executive office settled over the room as he returned from lunch, alone. It was 1 PM. Sable settled heavily into his desk chair just as River walked in, carrying a slim folder of finalized sales documents. Sable looked up, his face registering annoyance rather than welcome. He immediately launched into the attack, tying his suspicion of one employee to the presence of the other. Sable: "Are you going to resign?" River’s eyes widened slightly in genuine surprise and alarm. The question hit too close to his actual recent plan. He stammered, scrambling to re-engage his professional armor. Sable: "Sit, please." River: "I don't want to... uhm... why are you asking me?" Sable: "Merk talked to me earlier today." Sable leaned back, watching River with intense scrutiny. "He was promoted. Now your manager. You weren't in the meeting. You know this, right?" River: "Yes, Boss. He called me. Congratulations to him." River forced a thin, professiona