The office throws Earl a retirement party after 41 years

Earl worked in claims at Henderson Mutual Insurance for forty-one years, and in all that time, nobody ever saw him leave.

Every morning at 8:59 he hung his tan sport coat on the back of his chair, set down a half-full mug of coffee, opened a thick binder to a random page, and disappeared. If anyone came looking, the answer was always the same: “Earl’s around here somewhere. His coat’s here.”

He was named Employee of the Month four times. Once was in a month he’d been in Florida.

Everyone agreed Earl was a mystery. He always looked tired. He drove two different cars. He never once came to the Christmas party, though he always sent a very nice card.

On his last day, the office threw him a party in the break room. There was a sheet cake that said “41 YEARS!” in blue icing. The boss gave a speech about loyalty and dedication, then handed Earl a gold watch. A few people teared up. Earl teared up.

Then Earl checked the time on his new watch, took his coat off the chair for the first time anyone could remember, and headed for the door.