Post by Avaerilon on Mar 22, 2012 9:31:51 GMT
A Man For The Job
“Jason Freeman’s the man for the job,” Said the man in the grey-tweed jacket conversationally. “He’s only new in the department, but having seen the way he works I’d sooner pick nobody else for it.” His colleague in the hideously spotty tie took a sip cognac and then replied. “If he’s half as good as you say he is, we’ll be able to pull this one off in under a week. Two at the most.” “Really? That soon?” “We’ll have everybody here, based on what you say Freeman can do; he’ll get us what we need to have them come here under the department.” “I’ll drink to that,” Replied the man in the dull suit and they both took a swig of the brandy before they shook hands and walked into the lift. Noticing the great change in heat, the man with the horrid tie said: “Crikey, it’s hot in here today, isn’t it?” “Always is when a conference is going on.”
***
Jason Freeman was 32, lightly built and had a noticeable large forehead, which gave him a very authoritative presence, helped by the fact he never wore a jacket and hardly ever sat down. Other employees in the department didn’t really know him that well, but they knew what kind of man he was. Jason was the man who chased deals and found people and then brought them to the department to work. Jason strode forward, full of energy and confidence. He’d just come out of a conference and was literally fizzing with vigour; he’d closed a deal with a previously hostile group, although there had been a touch of fear on the large red face of the woman leading them. Freeman was about to get himself a cup of coffee when the secretary called out to him. “Jason? The manager wants to see you about another conference.” Jason allowed himself a small smile before he turned towards the manager’s lift.
***
Jason accepted the glass of water poured for him by Mr Godfrey, who sat down and beamed at him. “Well Mr Freeman, how are you settling in?” “Very well, thank you sir,” Jason replied. “I’m really enjoying my work here.” “Excellent, we need more of that in the department,” Said Mr Godfrey, who took a sip of his water and then stood up, beginning to pace around the office. “Do you… know why you’re up here, Jason?” “I believe you want me to do another conference, sir?” “Yes, that’s right, Jason.” Said Mr Godfrey. However, this is no ordinary conference, even by today’s standards. There’s a real tough nut to crack, and he won’t give us anything. We’ve tried so much, and yet he refuses to even talk to us about it all. I want you to go in there and hold a conference.” “Very well sir, I’ll do my best,” Said Jason, standing up. “I’m sure you will, Jason, I’m sure you will.”
***
With the humming of the fluorescent light above him, the man in the conference room was blinking in the bright, unnatural light. It was almost giving him a headache, but he reminded himself that this was what the company did to try and get you to sign a deal; they made you uncomfortable you said more and were willing to trade more easily. He nervously tapped his fingers on the desk in front of him; oddly cold considering the great heat of the room, with some unseen ventilator throwing in hot air and vapour. He tried to steady his nerves , knowing so much, the existence of others in the business, rested on him not negotiating at all. He didn’t care if he was ruined, but he was still as frightened as a small rabbit caught in a car’s headlamps. He mumbled some words to himself when the door suddenly opened and another man stepped into the conference room. “Hello Mr Westleigh, I’m Mr Freeman.”
***
Westleigh breathed heavily a couple of times, the words of Freeman going in-and-out of hearing in his ears; his head was spinning. “… and that’s why we don’t want to have to take such an executive and extreme measure to guarantee the result,” Spoke Freeman. “I don’t want to have to tell them they have to liquidate anyone or strip their assets-” “Please, don’t strip my assets!” Cried Westleigh. “I- I-I’m not a main competitor in this! You, er, you don’t have to do that!” “Well, if you give us the business details of the others, we would be happy for you to stay very much in business my friend.” Westleigh licked his lips; they were so cracked and dry. His throat felt like it was on fire. He was about to accept the offer and then he remembered his wife.
How would she feel if he sold out? What would she do? He couldn’t accept the offer, not even if it cost him everything. He’d sacrifice it all for her. “No. No. I… I won’t.” Freeman looked at the man. He had the sort of damp defiance no amount of conferencing would have on him. He’d have to be persuaded in a more crude way. Freeman sighed and left the room, Westleigh starting to quiver.
***
“I’m sorry sir, but he didn’t want to make the deal, even with a very good offer.” Mr Godfrey inhaled, before he turned and said: “Well, you’re good at the mind games, but then the more physical things in business you’re also adept at. Do it.” Freeman turned away, lips pursed and then went into the room.
***
The next day, the cleaners were having a chat during one of their breaks. “Heard that that man from one of the groups had his assets stripped.” “Yeah,” Said the other cleaner. “Rebels deserve what they get. Mind you, I’m not best pleased I had four pints of blood to wipe-up; I’ll have to get a new mop and all.”
“Jason Freeman’s the man for the job,” Said the man in the grey-tweed jacket conversationally. “He’s only new in the department, but having seen the way he works I’d sooner pick nobody else for it.” His colleague in the hideously spotty tie took a sip cognac and then replied. “If he’s half as good as you say he is, we’ll be able to pull this one off in under a week. Two at the most.” “Really? That soon?” “We’ll have everybody here, based on what you say Freeman can do; he’ll get us what we need to have them come here under the department.” “I’ll drink to that,” Replied the man in the dull suit and they both took a swig of the brandy before they shook hands and walked into the lift. Noticing the great change in heat, the man with the horrid tie said: “Crikey, it’s hot in here today, isn’t it?” “Always is when a conference is going on.”
***
Jason Freeman was 32, lightly built and had a noticeable large forehead, which gave him a very authoritative presence, helped by the fact he never wore a jacket and hardly ever sat down. Other employees in the department didn’t really know him that well, but they knew what kind of man he was. Jason was the man who chased deals and found people and then brought them to the department to work. Jason strode forward, full of energy and confidence. He’d just come out of a conference and was literally fizzing with vigour; he’d closed a deal with a previously hostile group, although there had been a touch of fear on the large red face of the woman leading them. Freeman was about to get himself a cup of coffee when the secretary called out to him. “Jason? The manager wants to see you about another conference.” Jason allowed himself a small smile before he turned towards the manager’s lift.
***
Jason accepted the glass of water poured for him by Mr Godfrey, who sat down and beamed at him. “Well Mr Freeman, how are you settling in?” “Very well, thank you sir,” Jason replied. “I’m really enjoying my work here.” “Excellent, we need more of that in the department,” Said Mr Godfrey, who took a sip of his water and then stood up, beginning to pace around the office. “Do you… know why you’re up here, Jason?” “I believe you want me to do another conference, sir?” “Yes, that’s right, Jason.” Said Mr Godfrey. However, this is no ordinary conference, even by today’s standards. There’s a real tough nut to crack, and he won’t give us anything. We’ve tried so much, and yet he refuses to even talk to us about it all. I want you to go in there and hold a conference.” “Very well sir, I’ll do my best,” Said Jason, standing up. “I’m sure you will, Jason, I’m sure you will.”
***
With the humming of the fluorescent light above him, the man in the conference room was blinking in the bright, unnatural light. It was almost giving him a headache, but he reminded himself that this was what the company did to try and get you to sign a deal; they made you uncomfortable you said more and were willing to trade more easily. He nervously tapped his fingers on the desk in front of him; oddly cold considering the great heat of the room, with some unseen ventilator throwing in hot air and vapour. He tried to steady his nerves , knowing so much, the existence of others in the business, rested on him not negotiating at all. He didn’t care if he was ruined, but he was still as frightened as a small rabbit caught in a car’s headlamps. He mumbled some words to himself when the door suddenly opened and another man stepped into the conference room. “Hello Mr Westleigh, I’m Mr Freeman.”
***
Westleigh breathed heavily a couple of times, the words of Freeman going in-and-out of hearing in his ears; his head was spinning. “… and that’s why we don’t want to have to take such an executive and extreme measure to guarantee the result,” Spoke Freeman. “I don’t want to have to tell them they have to liquidate anyone or strip their assets-” “Please, don’t strip my assets!” Cried Westleigh. “I- I-I’m not a main competitor in this! You, er, you don’t have to do that!” “Well, if you give us the business details of the others, we would be happy for you to stay very much in business my friend.” Westleigh licked his lips; they were so cracked and dry. His throat felt like it was on fire. He was about to accept the offer and then he remembered his wife.
How would she feel if he sold out? What would she do? He couldn’t accept the offer, not even if it cost him everything. He’d sacrifice it all for her. “No. No. I… I won’t.” Freeman looked at the man. He had the sort of damp defiance no amount of conferencing would have on him. He’d have to be persuaded in a more crude way. Freeman sighed and left the room, Westleigh starting to quiver.
***
“I’m sorry sir, but he didn’t want to make the deal, even with a very good offer.” Mr Godfrey inhaled, before he turned and said: “Well, you’re good at the mind games, but then the more physical things in business you’re also adept at. Do it.” Freeman turned away, lips pursed and then went into the room.
***
The next day, the cleaners were having a chat during one of their breaks. “Heard that that man from one of the groups had his assets stripped.” “Yeah,” Said the other cleaner. “Rebels deserve what they get. Mind you, I’m not best pleased I had four pints of blood to wipe-up; I’ll have to get a new mop and all.”
