I work in an office. Our workplace environment doesn’t really care what hours we keep, as long as the work gets done. Being the early bird that I am, that means I am usually in the office around 7 AM.

I’m working as usual, and have been for about ten minutes, when I see another coworker rushing in. This is surprising because he usually comes in around 9 to 9:30 AM.

Me: “Oh! Hey, [Coworker]! Surprised to see you this early!”

My coworker almost yelps in surprise. He was obviously not expecting to see anyone in the office. He looks at me, and then it’s my turn to yelp in surprise, as I am now clearly seeing his face.

[Coworker] usually sports a beard. I say usually, because right now, half of it is missing, and I do mean literally half. Half his face still has his beard, the other half, smooth as anything. Almost a straight line down the middle.

Me: “Uh… what happened?”

Coworker: “My power went out… at a bad time.”

Me: “You have an electric razor, huh?”

Coworker: “Yeah. Came in early to finish the job in the office restroom. I thought by coming in early, no one would see.”

Me: “Well… sorry?”

Coworker: “Anyhoo, I’m gonna…” *Gestures to the restroom.*

He comes back out fifteen minutes later, having finished the job. We laugh a little after, me asking why he chose today of all days to shave, and then I realize something.

Me: “Wait, [Coworker], you don’t have a car.”

Coworker: “Yeah.”

Me: “So you took… the bus?”

Coworker: “Yeah.”

Me: “Was the bus busy?”

Coworker: *Deep sigh.* “Yeaaaaaah.”

We laugh again. At lunchtime, I buy a cheap manual razor set and hand it to him, saying, “For next time, just in case.”