Each day that I leave work before 6 pm, there are a few things I have to do to ensure a smooth exit.
I lock my computer. I gather my papers. I put on my sunglasses.
And, most important of all, I make a phone call on my cell.
This is the only way to escape.
In order to get from my office out to the parking lot, I have to walk by a number of offices. If I'm not obviously engaged in a phone conversation (real or imaginary), I will get flagged down for any number of Really Important Reasons.
You know. Really Important Reasons such as the urgent need to inform me about their child's recent snot color (seriously), a request to for gossip about my department (they keep askin' but I'm not tellin'), or the retelling of the Worst Thing That Happened Today (usually minor... usually the third time I've heard about it).
As long as I have my cell phone as my shield, I can get home in a timely fashion.
Who knows what will happen if my battery dies or-gasp!- I leave my phone at home! I might never get to leave work.
