#Stately: “Skeleton Day” Meaning Revealed

by Audrey O'Rouke
October 11, 2006

A temporary employee of the Risk Assessment Department has misunderstood the meaning of a "skeleton crew day," according to co-workers.

Greg Jones, a.k.a. "Special G," a temporary with MTA Employer Services, appeared at RAD headquarters Monday dressed in black with a skull mask for the Columbus Day holiday.

"It was totally inappropriate," Special G's supervisor Tyne Rawlings said Monday morning after an unscheduled meeting with Special G and Human Resources secret Agent SX-101.

Rawlings says that G's arrival sparked mixed feeling in numerous co-workers, many who unable to understand if the skull mask was some sort of devil cult propaganda or an early Halloween mask. A few people, believing the costume was some sort of protest about long hours and dwindling pay, in turn unfurled banners and began an hour-long sit-in outside the main entrance. Building security had to be called in but they really didn't do much once they showed up anyway.

"Man, I really screwed up," G said later in the afternoon. "If someone would have bothered to let me know beforehand or told me what a skeleton day was, I might have dressed differently. I thought my crew would do the same. I'm not sorry I came this way, though it is a bit odd it was thought as derogatory or insubordinate."

Human Resources secret agent SX-101 feels the same way. "Seeing how Special G is just a temp and probably unaware of many of the tricks and trappings of a state job, there is much about the protocol that needs to be discussed with him. As an HR member, I suggest that both sides meet and Special G gets a chance to be trained in the ways of the state."

Ultimately, G feels no loss of love in the ordeal. "It's all good. Though it's a good thing, the holiday in question was Columbus Day rather than Confederate Heroes Day - God, what an ass I could have made of myself!"