Thanks to Felicity Johns for editing.
*****
Business meetings are basically boring. No, change that; always boring. I normally send someone down the ranks, and I did with this company with disastrous results. My chosen man fucked up for some reason and now I have to fly in and sort it out. I am not so worried about the contract, but my judgement has proven wrong. There must have been some amazing activity for my staff to screw up like this.
I got to the office and announced myself. I had no idea who I was meeting, it could be anyone.The receptionist showed me to a conference room and asked if anyone else was coming. I tell her I'm on my own and she left me to it.
I took my papers and computer out and sat, reading through the information left for me. Engrossed in reading between the lines, I heard the door open. I turned to see a woman entering, She had her hands full with papers and a computer so I went and held the door while she walked in and placed her things on the desk.
She was very nice, around 40, about my height with long dark hair and a good figure supporting a chest that came up front. I liked what I saw, and I was beginning to see the problem, She had sweet-talked my staff.
"Good afternoon, my name is Alexandra."
"Hello, my name is James, I'm the owner of Tickit, Inc." I have to say I am not very pretty, I usually tell people I look like a small gorilla, I have gotten where I am by dint of personality. I was once described as a benign dictator, which sums me up well. "Are you bringing any more people into this meeting, Alexandra?" I asked.
"You came alone, so I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate."
"I am happy to fight against many," and I smiled so she knew I was, sort of, joking.
She made a call. Shortly, two more people arrived. A young man and woman, both late twenties, both with an invisible stamp of "assistant to the senior vice president" or something similar.
We all sat and I formally introduced myself to the newcomers. Alexandra then introduced herself as Senior Vice President, and Craig and Louise as her assistants. We proceeded to go over the problems and I watched the others. Katherine was in charge, no question, and I felt Louise was in love with her. Craig was a little disdainful, as though he had to endure this to get a step ahead.
It took about two hours to sort everything out. Eventually we got the contract back on track. At one point, Craig excused himself. I took the opportunity to invite Alexandra and Louise to dinner, with much emphasis on excluding Craig. Louise looked unsure while Alexandra simply raised an eyebrow.
We formally closed the meeting and ceased being adversarial.
"I think I understand why my staff got lost on this contract."
"Oh," said Alexandra. "Why is that?"
"I think Craig proved too masterful for them."
Alexandra stopped a laugh. Louise was not so in control of herself and looked at me like I was mad.
Alexandra spoke. "Yes, that's probably it. That nice young man you sent didn't have what it takes to master Craig." She laughed like a trooper and I joined in. Louise stared but sensibly said nothing.
We arranged to meet at my hotel for a drink. They arrived and I sat them at a table and called a waiter. We ordered. Louise decided she needed a bathroom trip; or else her boss had instructed her to give us some space.
"Craig is the senior stockholder's grandson. He has to suffer me until he starts shaving, then will take over the business. Well, that's what he thinks. His grandpa has different ideas."
"And Louise?"
"She should be Craig; clever, not too sure of herself but willing to learn."
"And she is in love with you?"
"I think you're right. Or at least has a crush on me, or wants to be me."
I got her talking about herself. I was trying to judge how to handle this lady.
Alexandra gave me a potted history and then asked about me. Louise had re-joined us, so I did my usual twist and turn.
I told them I had more or less retired from business, I had a good team who only occasionally made mistakes, and I now indulged in my passions. Louise took my cue and asked what they were.
"Sex, drugs and rock and roll, but I don't touch drugs, other than some alcohol."