Every office has a cast. OUTCLOCK’s just happens to be standing between you and the exit. Here is everyone you will meet, ranked from the person most likely to cost you your evening to the people who are, against all odds, on your side.
THREAT: THE CORNER OFFICE
Mr. Banks The boss
Owns a glass-walled office and an infinite supply of “quick chats.” Never raises his voice. Never needs to.
Where you’ll meet them: Behind the glass. His office overlooks the route out — and glass stops you, not his view.
THREAT: THE ELEVATOR
Director Vance Boards on floor 9
“So, Dev—” A proposal, and nowhere for you to go for the next three floors.
Where you’ll meet them: The lift. A proposal, a closing door, and nowhere for you to go.
THREAT: DEADLINE CULTURE
Ms. Clarke The manager
“We’re a family here” is the opening line of at least four of your performance reviews.
Where you’ll meet them: Patrolling the floor, guilt trip loaded.
THREAT: OLD GUARD
The Chairman Blocks the stairwell
Has been smoking in this stairwell since before the building had a no-smoking sign. Outranks the sign.
Where you’ll meet them: Monday’s stairwell. He smokes on the Stair A landing and listens to everything below.
THREAT: SNITCH
Chad Sales
Will absolutely report you to management — then challenge you to a duel over the last fridge shelf about it.
Where you’ll meet them: Wednesday’s lift chat, and Thursday’s duel over a stolen lunch.
THREAT: WELLBEING
Priya People Team
Warm, sincere, devastating. A single check-in on how you’re REALLY doing has ended more streaks than the Chairman ever has.
Where you’ll meet them: The People Team room. A wellbeing check-in costs you time, every time.
THREAT: VOLUME
Tobi The intern
Unpaid, unbothered, audible from two floors away, and somehow always knows exactly where you’re hiding.
Where you’ll meet them: Right behind you. Loudly.
THREAT: MANAGEMENT, INCARCERATED
The Warden Runs it like a middle manager
Somehow still holding a status meeting in here. Nobody knows how he got a whiteboard.
Where you’ll meet them: Inside Job, the prison break that runs exactly like a day at the office.
THREAT: THE YARD
Officer Briggs Prison guard — Inside Job
Runs the cell block like it’s a Tuesday standup. It is, in a way.
Where you’ll meet them: Inside Job, running the yard like a Tuesday stand-up.
A RARE ALLY
Sam The other passenger
Just wants to get home too. Proof that not everyone in this elevator is working an angle.
Where you’ll meet them: The lift, on a good day. Proof that not everyone in it wants something.
THE REASON
Maya Dev's girlfriend, Design — floor 12
Waiting downstairs since 17:58. She has never once asked why it's always “five more minutes.”
Where you’ll meet them: Tuesday’s lunch break and Saturday’s rooftop. The reason any of this matters.
THE ONE TRYING TO LEAVE
Dev You.
Every day at 18:00, Dev almost makes it to the elevator. This is the story of the almost.
Where you’ll meet them: Everywhere you go. He just wants to leave at six.
Know the cast, then learn to beat them: ten tips for escaping the office on time.
