The Coworker

The narrative describes emails that Dawn sent seven months prior. First, Dawn emails an Etsy seller to complain that a figurine advertised as a sea turtle is in fact a land turtle. She provides a detailed description of why the turtle is anatomically incorrect. The Etsy seller replies, asking if Dawn’s messages are “a joke.”

In an email to Mia, Dawn describes buying an expensive hand-painted turtle figurine for Natalie. She relates that Natalie seemed surprised by the gift and did not thank her. Afterward, Dawn suggested that she could join Natalie and Kim for lunch. However, Natalie claimed that they would be planning Kim’s wedding. Dawn pointed out that, as an unmarried woman, Natalie had no experience of weddings and would be statistically unlikely to find a husband at her age. Natalie seemed to take offense at these facts. Mia replies to Dawn, asserting that Natalie should have thanked her for the gift.

Natalie’s mother calls after learning that a Vixed employee has gone missing. She claims that Natalie needs a husband to take care of her. Feeling anxious, Natalie returns to her house in Dorchester, an expensive rental area.