Staples’ beloved, note-bearing, merciful pass-giving Patty McQuone is bearing the brunt of a vacation that should have, could have been. Her office door wears an emphatic “DO NOT DISTURB” sign, and when prompted for an interview, she responded “Ok but hurry up, I’m swamped.” With notes piled high on her desk, Patty, headset in ear, recognized the sheer abundance of absences. “It’s always high around vacation time, but today is definitely more than normal.”