Ramesh sought a meeting with Mr. Srinivasan as soon as he got into office. He delivered Gayatri's coffee on his way, and headed into Mr Srinivasan's spacious office. The Lion's Den, as the office grapevine called it.
"Welcome, my boy!" Mr. Srinivasan beckoned Ramesh in, "Why the long face? Hope you haven't lost money."
"No sir, my P/L is still up 1800% YTD," replied Ramesh.
"Then, why do I sense uneasiness in your voice?"
"Sir, I want to request something from you, but without going into the reasons as to why," Ramesh replied.
"Go ahead and spit it out, my boy. You need a bigger bonus?"
"No sir. I request you to kindly promote Ms. Gayatri to VP in my place. And assign me as her research assistant," Ramesh said, in a polite voice.
"What? Why?"
"Sir, I would prefer not to go into the reasons, as I mentioned before," Ramesh replied.
"You don't seriously expect me to act on such a bizzare request without getting into the reasons?" Mr. Srinivasan thundered. He pressed a button on his office phone, and barked into it, "Send Gayatri to my office. NOW!"
"Good morning! You asked to see me?" Gayatri asked in an innocent tone as came into the cabin. She knew why she had been called but she put on an act of innocent ignorance.
"What is this I am hearing about Ramesh wanting to work as your assistant?" Mr. Srinivasan was not a man who wasted words on pleasantries.
"I don't know. I have no idea. I am flattered of course, but you will have to ask him why," Gayatri replied, continuing her innocent act. She shot a sharp sideway glance at Ramesh.