Rare moment in history...mining department news

"Bored?"
"Yep"
Silence, nothing had happened in the mining department for months
now, and the boredom was starting to get to Colxfile and Jeri. He was
reduced to being perched on the edge of his desk, his foot on the
stool, biting his nails. She was reduced to lying on the floor,
sleeping off last night's "team-building experience". The lack of
work had been demoralising. But regular competition at the air-hockey
table had boosted sprits, but not very high. Christmas went
uncelebrated as Colxfile manned the ever-important phone waiting for
news of a task that required the delicate touch of a mining laser.
"Anything?"
"...no"
Jeri was starting to tire at the sight of a man going insane over
lack of work, especially when they were still being paid.
"What's wrong?"
"What?"
"Look like you're gonna fly away."
"I'm fine"
"Yeah?"
"No."
"You wanna talk about it?"
A pause
"No"
The phone rang. Before it had finished the first ring, it was pressed
up against Colxfile's ear...he listened briefly before replacing it.
"Wrong number?"
He nodded, and bit off the whole fingernail on his right thumb. Jeri
winced, but Colxfile didn't seem to feel the pain. It wasn't until he
removed the full nail from his teeth, that she nearly fainted.
"Didn't that hurt?"
"Yeah..."