Life Needs Some Crazy - Pt 1
This is my first time writing a series. It traces the adventure of a shy boy and an adventurous girl. I hope I do justice to the characters and to the readers. Enjoy
There was something about business conferences that was so boring. It was the same, stale, old-rot topics of how to make more money. Efficiency was all everyone cared about. No one talked about innovating and experimenting with ideas. I could not believe that I was actually stuck in one, for a weekend no less. Again, it was more efficient if people learned during non-working hours. It helped the companies whip more work out of them. And here I was, with a presentation and discussion on ways to reduce work stress and create better working environments.
I was almost sure - I was set up for failure. There had to be a topic in the middle of all the money-crazed ones to break the monotonous feeling. I was dreading to even start, as I was going to follow what was the most important panel discussion on rate changes by the federal bank in the upcoming financial year. People usually went and ate after that. I kicked myself up and started to brush up on my key points. I was, all the while, thinking of making it somewhat interesting, but that went farther and farther away, as the day progressed.
I sat through the first few speeches, opening up the event, thinking of what kind of crowd was present. It always helped to feel the crowd and plan accordingly. As it turned out, there were far more people who were bored of so many money talks than usual. There was a group of reporters ready to pounce on the speakers, and that kept things interesting. The press was a new addition this year, to get more coverage of the event and attract outsiders. It was not going to be telecast, but coverage on local papers was good for business.
"How do you justify running a good business for the community when you have the highest attrition rate of all the businesses in this zone?"
"Aren't the increases in salary only the result of an increase in product costs? Is it not basically costing buyers more to keep employees, rather than innovation in making products better?"
"How much has been spent on R and D over the last quarter?"
"What proposals have you lined up for the government to make business easier for new companies?"
That journalist was making my life easier. She was firing on all cylinders. Top executives were struggling to counter her barrage, as she followed up with more as soon as she had them on the ropes. Things got really heated, and one company executive even referred to my presentation, as to where there were some answers to her questions.
It really set my presentation up when everyone was expecting me to silence her. It went on much better when many executives applauded for a while, after all the slides were done. I opened up to the audience for questions, and was bracing myself for the barrage. But most of the questions came from the executives trying to look good by being interested in the topic. I knew they were not giving a rat's ass about any of the initiatives I had proposed. It was almost insulting, to be used to look good, just for the sake of it. The journalist who was mainly leading the charge of questions was silent, and just scribbled on her notepad.
I got off easy with some minor questions, and none from that firebrand journalist. I thanked my stars and got off the stage to a loud cheer. I guess they thought I silenced that girl who embarrassed so many. I knew there was something else to it, but I didn't care.
I was offered so many drinks back in the hotel, where almost all of us were put up. Some female executives, who had come to blow off some steam, even sent me their phone numbers. I checked out some of them. Most of them were cougars looking to score a young guy. I did not want to be one of their prey. I had a good time with some good folks and girls. Some journalists also came over and I appreciated it. All in all, it was a good night and I wanted to turn in, before I got wasted. I was all for fun, but never went overboard. I got a text from an unknown number saying, 'good job,' and a heart symbol.
I walked back up to my room and texted who it was, but didn't get any reply. I knew I had done a decent job, but people really got carried away in the moment. It was more like journalists set up the show by making others look bad. It was over anyway. It was time to get tucked in and go to bed.
I showered to take the edge off all the drinks I had, and was in my towel when I heard a knock on my door. I had no room-service order pending, and thought it was just to sign off on some hotel documentation.
I turned red in embarrassment, seeing a girl with two glasses and a bottle of champagne in her hands, standing there with a smile. She was very pretty, with bright, round eyes, a slightly chubby nose, and a luscious lower lip that would spill honey if bit hard. She had a dimple on her cheeks that made her look really cute. She was short, but had a great rack and a slim figure. She wore a tight, form-hugging party gown that went down to her knees.
"May I come in?"
"Umm...I am in a towel, and I am alone, and I don't know you, and it is late, and..."
"God, you look cuter when you struggle to find words and have a towel around you."
"I am sorry, but I don't know what to say, and what to do, and..."
"Samantha. You can call me Sam. May I come in?"
She walked in with that, and I closed the door behind her, rushing back inside. She sat on the bed, legs crossed and still smiling, looking at me all embraced embarrassed. It then hit me that it was the same girl, who was firing all those really tough questions in the morning. She looked nothing like this from a distance and under all the lights in the convention hall. She looked really hot.
"I am sorry. I think there has been some mistake. I don't think you are supposed to be here."
"I am exactly where I want to be, Josh. I wanted to meet you and give you a drink."
"But why? How did you know my room number? Did you text me? How did you get my number?"
She giggled and got up to place the glasses on the table, and poured the champagne into both. She handed me one and held out the other. She touched my glass and emptied the champagne in her glass.
"I loved your presentation today, Josh. You made really good points and I hope everyone actually takes it up, rather than being pretentious snobs."
"Thanks. I will drink to that. But may I please wear some clothes first?"
"Sure do. I am not in the way."
"Would you please excuse me? I feel awkward being naked around you."
"Why?"
I really didn't have an answer. I just was shy by nature and felt uncomfortable around girls. It was just who I was. But the drinks in the evening had made me a little bolder. I drank my full glass empty too, and extended for another round.
"That's like a good boy. Cheers!"
"You set me up for a good show. You were asking really pressing questions. You were on fire."
"I was doing my job."
"You were the only one who was being good at it, though."
"Wow, Josh! Are you flirting with me?"
"God no, why would you think that?"
