Mediocre Man

by Richard Levy

In an increasingly competitive business world, how low will some stoop to get ahead? Such is the thrust of Mediocre Man, Richard Levy’s edgy commentary on the modern workplace that pries open the conference room doors with a cubicled twist on the fast-paced outlandishness of Catch-22. On his first day on the job at the colossus Pyramid, Harmon readily embraces the mindless paper pushing his new position demands. However, by the second day at the weekly Tuesday meeting, it’s clear that cuts are in the offing, and no one is safe. Worse, his vision of smooth sailing quickly vaporizes when he accidentally discovers the damning secret of office tyrant Swayne Rohr. It seems Swayne's an imposter who is well equipped to maintain his charade with the help of alarming protection. He tortures inferiors without fear of retribution from HR-3 and HR-4, the human resources personnel and surveillance divisions. His airtight scheme could elevate him beyond Upper status, until Harmon happens to get wind of his true identity. With Swayne’s ascending career in jeopardy, he and his henchmen conspire to railroad Harmon straight out of the company. Harmon’s quaint code of ethics renders him woefully unprepared for Swayne's brand of ruthless office warfare, which extends to church, the local high school, and even a steamy hotel room with his flirtatious boss Jackie. What’s more, Harmon’s only ally is the lowest-ranking employee in the sector— a charismatic, slacker temp called Kid. As his career and marriage unravel, Harmon struggles to overcome his morality, outfox his nemesis, and escape the Pyramid's career-killing Wall of Shame. Can an average guy with nagging conscience outwit the office bastard? While Harmon maneuvers to expose the office bully, Mediocre Man tackles broader social forces – including class inequity, job security, and eccentric protocols – which take its toll on a dysfunctional corporate culture. Anyone who has ever clocked in hours as a desk jockey will find heartening humor in the machinations of this inventive, refreshing look at unconventional workspaces and the unfathomable dilemmas that can entangle even the most principled individuals.

308 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2012