A cheer
rose up, spreading across the floor of the casino. Jack had arrived. Good ole Jack. Everyone loved Jack. He was scheduled to make a speech in ten
minutes. It would take him twenty-five
just to reach the podium with all the handshaking and pleasantries and easy
conversation.
Jack knew everyone and everyone
knew Jack.
As he mounted the steps to the
little stage he waved and pointed and smiled.
Lights from slot machines twinkled off his thick silver hair and danced
in his warm, caring eyes.
He had to ask for silence several
times before the attendees gave it to him.
“Wow. That… That was an amazing reception. Does Great American Business Company have the
best people or what?”
A roar of
applause.
“I see some
new faces out there. New faces in some
very nice suits. Well, welcome to
family. Just remember that this is a
family. We look out for each other. That’s why we’re successful. Individuals don’t make a company great. It’s cooperative effort. Everyone working toward a common goal. All of us helping each other succeed.”
Jack paused
again and let the fervent cheers settle.
“They tell
me that this party is in honor of me and my so called legacy. I’m not really comfortable with that so let’s
use this opportunity to honor everyone who has ever contributed to our growth
and our accomplishments.”
Everyone loudly honored themselves.
“I know I’m technically retired,
but I’m always glad to lend a hand.
Don’t hesitate to call upon me if there is something I can help
with. And that brings us to another
bullet point. They’ve tasked me with the
privilege of introducing one of our newest employees. A real find I’m told. A wise investment for our company’s
future. Donald Jackson. Don, would you please come up here and join
me on stage?”
The crowd clapped and
whistled. Slowly this clamor gave off to
an uncomfortable silence. Corporate
Whore strode up to the microphone.
Everyone shifted awkwardly, wondering why anyone would fail to come to
Jack’s call.
“I apologize,” said Corporate
Whore. “It’s seems as though our–”
“There he
is!” someone shouted.
A spotlight
shifted away from the stage and scanned about until it secured the person in
question. Donald Jackson lifted his hand
as if to wave. He shrugged as he walked
toward the stage then he shook Jack’s hand and went to the microphone.
A glare, so
intense and so full of rage, threatened to spontaneous combust Corporate
Whore’s eyeballs. The heat that might
have resulted from such an ignition would’ve been on par with an especially
malevolent laser, one that could easily reduce Donald Jackson to an
embarrassing briquette.
“Sorry, I
missed the cue, Jack. I was in the
middle of some lucrative negotiations,” Donald Jackson said. “I know, I know, I shouldn’t be working right
now. I promise I’ll delay any further
deals until Monday. I’m just so excited
to be a part of this company, so eager to further its growth.”
A chorus of
cheers filled the room.
“I won’t
keep you from your revelry, but before we dive into the festivities, let’s
remember why we’re all here. Jack. An individual might not be responsible for a
company’s success, but one man, this man, set the course. One man, this man, was resolute that a
business where the entire group works together to ensure the achievements of
all, is a healthy, profitable business.
One man, this man, took the time to get to know everyone here, and to
care about all of us. Like a family.”
It was
uncertain whether Donald Jackson, Corporate Man, would be able to quiet the
crowd after that. He never really
did. Instead, the decibels came down to
a level where his shout of, “Let the celebration commence!” could be heard over
the din.
The executives,
managers, and supervisors broke like a stormy sea onto the blackjack tables and
the slot machines. In the tumult,
Corporate Whore gripped Donald Jackson’s arm and hissed, “For now, I don’t care
where you’ve been. We’ll sort that out
later. Right now, you are accompanying
me to a conference room for a little meeting with the board of directors and
the upper executives.”
She flashed
a liquid smile at Jack and said, “We’ll be back momentarily, Jack. Just a couple of last minutes to sort out
before we can indulge.”
