The following version of this story was used to create this study guide: Orozco, Daniel. Orientation. Orientation: And Other Stories. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2012, p. 3 – 10.

The story begins with the new employee's co-worker guiding the new employee through the office. The co-worker begins by showing the new employee his/her desk. After identifying the important administrative information, the co-worker explains that receptionists often quit or are fired.

After identifying the male and female washrooms, the co-worker tells the new employee that one of the employees, John LaFountaine, uses the women's bathroom sometimes. Next, the co-worker describes some of the other employees and their romantic habits. Subsequently, the co-worker describes an event whereby one of the employees, Anika Bloom, foresaw the death of the wife of another employee, Barry Hacker.

The co-worker continues the tour of the office. The new employee learns about the healthcare policy and the kitchen etiquette. Next, the co-worker describes how Barry Hacker's wife died, and the co-worker explains that sometimes the employees notice the ghosts of Hacker's wife and unborn child.

The co-worker then introduces Matthew Payne, who is the Unit Manager at the office. The co-worker specifies that nobody has ever seen Matthew Payne. After this, the co-worker introduces the new employee to some other employees, including one who is obsessed with penguins, and one who is a notorious serial killer. The co-worker ends the tour by showing the new employee where the co-worker's own desk resides.