A Beautiful Mind
It was a family-run company that I worked for many years. We had an engineer who was brilliant, funny, handsome, and personable. But something was wrong with him. Usually I’m the last one to leave, but that Friday evening at 7pm, he still worked feverishly in his cubicle. I left after saying goodnight to him.
On Monday morning the following week, everything was in chaos. When I walked around the office, I was filled with chills. He was like Beautiful Mind. He spent his entire weekend at work, hiding files, hacking emails, and doing weird things. He turned the whole thing into a game by leaving clues everywhere.
On the desk of the president, for example, he placed a note with the riddle which led to the next clue. He had created about 50 sequential clues. It was brilliant. The bosses were furious. I loved the puzzle and enjoyed the challenge. We spent a lot of time trying to figure out the puzzles and clues in order to retrieve our belongings. The last clue was the most impressive of all.
We found his resignation letter. The local authorities were contacted because some clues contained threatening statements made to his boss and head of engineering. He had a mental disorder, which he managed for many years with medication. He joined his new girlfriend, who was fasting in honor of some religious festival.
His medication was affected by not eating. After being hospitalized for two weeks, he tried to get back his job when he got out of the hospital. He was hired back but didn’t stay long. He left because the stigma was too much for him.
