The "Catbird Seat" is a short story by James Thurber, first published in The New Yorker in 1942. It tells the story of Mr. Martin, a seemingly unremarkable man who works as an efficiency expert at a large department store. Despite his mundane appearance and job, Mr. Martin possesses a sharp wit and an exceptional talent for plotting and scheming.
The story begins with Mr. Martin's boss, Mr. Fitweiler, expressing frustration with one of the store's employees, Mrs. Barrows. Mrs. Barrows is a loud, annoying, and difficult woman who is disliked by everyone in the office. Mr. Fitweiler asks Mr. Martin to do something about her, but Mr. Martin has a better plan in mind.
Instead of simply confronting Mrs. Barrows or trying to get her fired, Mr. Martin sets out to systematically undermine her authority and reputation. He starts by making small, subtle changes to her office and the way she conducts business. For example, he moves her typewriter to a different location and rearranges her filing system. These seemingly minor changes cause Mrs. Barrows to become increasingly flustered and confused, and she starts making mistakes and looking incompetent in front of her coworkers.
As Mr. Martin's plan continues to unfold, it becomes clear that he is a master of manipulation and deception. He uses his intelligence and charm to outmaneuver Mrs. Barrows at every turn, and he seems to enjoy the process of watching her struggle. Eventually, Mrs. Barrows is driven to the brink of a nervous breakdown and is forced to resign from her job.
While Mr. Martin's victory over Mrs. Barrows is impressive, it is also somewhat unsettling. He seems to take pleasure in causing someone else's downfall, and it is not clear whether he has any remorse for the harm he has caused. In the end, the reader is left to wonder whether Mr. Martin is a hero or a villain.
Overall, "The Catbird Seat" is a clever and entertaining story that explores the themes of manipulation, power dynamics, and the psychological effects of office politics. Its memorable characters and clever plot make it a classic of short fiction, and it remains a popular and widely-studied work to this day.
