*This entry has nothing to do with flying toads.

When you first begin working in a new office, everything seems bright and (hopefully) much nicer than your previous place of employment.

As time goes on, you begin noticing the little idiosyncracies of the building and equipment. This is normal.

If, however, you happen to work the night shift alone and have an over-active imagination...

You first go about your office in a state of bliss. "I have a new job, hurrah!" Eventually, a routine sets in and you begin to notice the office is, due to normal wear and tear, not as shiny and spiffy as you had originally thought.

Perhaps it begins with the carpet.

There are spots where the carpet appears slightly bunched up or loose. Perhaps there is even a slight tear. Of course, being a staunch realist, you know this is because of the hundreds of feet that tramp daily across the carpet in a myriad of sadistic footwear (take, for instance, high heels).

If, however, you are over-imaginative the carpet lumps take on an entirely different meaning. Suddenly, they are secret tunnels by which the office gnomes travel as they go about their secret office gnome business (which, if only your boss would believe you, involves deleting the important work that you swore you did on time*)

*Note: As I am perfect, I deny ever having an instance where my work was late.

After the carpet, perhaps you notice some smudges on the wall. Perhaps, in addition to smudges, there are also dings and scrapes. Perhaps a dent as well. As a staunch realist, you understand that these are also due to the large quantity of people that traverse the halls carrying/pulling/pushing assorted (also sadistic) luggage/boxes/files/dead bodies (no, wait...)

If, however, you are over-imaginative: You begin to wonder if perhaps this particular banged up hall was the site of an epic battle (office gnomes vs...?) Perhaps your company is actually in the business of cloning dinosaurs that were loose one weekend and had a battle royale in this very place.

...Of course, they would have to be very small dinosaurs.