“Nope… and he needs someone now. Why don’t we meet after office hours and I will ‘fill you in.’”
“That would be fantastic. What time and where?”
“How about the Fox and Hounds at 5 o’clock?”
“That works,” agreed Nancy, “see you then… and thanks for thinking of me, Kelly. You’re a doll!”
“Let’s hope it works out. See you shortly.”
Kelly stared at her cellphone as it disconnected and sighed. “Please, let this be the right thing to do,” she whispered to herself.
***
Kelly had never been a ‘bar person.’ She always felt that she was being assessed as a prospect for the dating slaughter. It seemed that nothing had changed. All male eyes swiveled her way, whether they were with a date or not. She was confident enough to not care where she landed on ’the scale.’ Those insecurities had faded when she passed 25.
Finding a two-top table against the wall, she sat down just as Nancy came through the door. Kelly remembered being impressed with how she carried herself with such confidence and class.
“Kelly… so nice to see you. You look as successful as ever.”
Kelly smiled, “Thank you. I would say the same to you, but considering your events today, I am not sure it applies.”
They both laughed and sat down just as the waiter arrived. “What can I get you, ladies”
Nancy looked up, “I’ll have a Margarita, please.”
“Make that two,” responded Kelly
Nancy removed her jacket and settled in her seat as she spoke, “Kelly, wherever this conversation goes, I just want you to know that you saved my ass today. I was trying to be the brave ‘wonder woman’ after Mr. Asshole finished with me, but I must admit your phone call saved me from plunging either into murder or suicide.”
Kelly smiled ruefully, “I don’t blame you, although from what little I know about him, I don’t think the murder option would have been so bad.”
“You’re sweet,” said Nancy, “but through it all, I knew that I was not a victim. I volunteered for where I was. I always could have opted out but I just could never find the right moment until today. I am still in shock. Frankly, I’m scared shitless. I have a little backup, but my standard of living is going to be altered dramatically.”
“Well, let’s see if our meeting can bring some hope to your life,” said Kelly as she saw the swirling emotions behind the tears. “Let me start at the beginning, but first we need to agree that this meeting is confidential.”
“Of course, my lips are sealed.”
Kelly continued, “You know as well as I do that in this industry there are always secrets or gossip or conspiracy theories galore. I have learned to keep my head down, my eyes closed, and my mouth shut. So far that has kept me in good stead. I don’t quite know why, but for some reason, I instinctively trust you, so I…”
“Thank you,” responded Nancy.
“You’re welcome. But that ‘thank you’ may be at a risk you may not be willing to take.”
Nancy’s eyebrows shot up, “What do you mean?”
“To tell you about this opportunity, I have to give you some background on my situation and see if you are somewhat of the same mentality. I am exposing myself for what I believe to be honorable reasons and if they don’t ‘jibe’ with your philosophies then we can just move on with no consequences.”
“Wow… this sounds very mysterious.”
Kelly nodded, “In a sense, it is… but let me get this out because my confidence is seeping. I need to ask you a question before I continue. Have you ever had any doubts about the morality of this industry?”
“Oh, my God… yes! …but I knew better than to ever voice them.”
Kelly smiled, “Well, then you understand. I, too, have doubts and that’s why I am nervous about this conversation. The scenario I am going to explain is only just developing. Over the years, I have been fortunate to engender a fairly high level of confidence with my bosses. They trust me as far as they can trust anyone. As a result, I have been able to pick up a lot of information that I am not happy that I know. I think that is as far as I want to go. I don’t want to be overly dramatic, but it can be dangerous to think too much in this industry. Better we ’drink the Kool-Aid’ and shut up.”
Nancy’s head had not stopped nodding, “I know I am on a different level than you, but what little I have seen and heard has certainly caused me to wonder.”
“Well, just remember… head down, eyes closed, deaf ears.”
“Yeah!”
“…Anyway,” Kelly continued, “if I haven’t turned you off, let me continue.”
“…No …No …go ahead.”
“Recently, my boss… do you remember where I work?”
“Yes. Chiles, Arken, and Associates.”
“Yes. My boss is Derek Maurrel, the president. Anyway, he found a man in the industry who is on the rise and decided to bring him, in a sense, on board.”
“What do you mean ‘in a sense?’”
“I’ll get to that in a moment. He wants to ‘groom’ him in his image and likeness.”
“Ahaa…” laughed Nancy, “the inevitable Male ego emerges.”
“You’re surprised?” scoffed Kelly… “anyway, I am ashamed to say, but I have let my personal feelings about this man interfere with my good judgment.”
“Oh… oh,” chided Nancy.
“No… No… not in that way. It’s just that he is brilliant, has a wonderful family, but… is very naïve about our industry. I believe he is in way over his head. He is being manipulated and he doesn’t know it.”
“Who isn’t in our business,” Nancy tittered.
“Tell me about it,” agreed Kelly. “So, what they have decided is that they want his brilliant research and marketing ideas to become the ’go to’ standard in the industry. They are setting him up with his own company, completely independent of Chiles, Arken, and Associates, but they will control him with consulting contracts. They are funding him from unknown sources and purging any history of their association with him.”
Nancy sat staring at Kelly as though she had grown horns, “My God, Kelly, that’s positively Machiavellian.”
“At the very least,” said Kelly. “So, I hope you can understand why I am feeling like I would like to do something for this guy. I am telling you all this because I would like him to have someone on the inside to help when he needs it.”
Just then the waiter arrived. “Another…?” he queried, looking at them both.
“Sure… why not!” answered Kelly.
Nancy stared into her glass. Her enthusiasm had certainly been tempered, but Kelly did not know that she, too, had been going through a crisis of conscience on a smaller scale. But size didn’t matter… right was right and wrong was wrong.
She had been asked to turn a blind eye to some things that her company had been a part of and it had been eating at her. The thought of, in some small way, retaliating, had never occurred to her… until now. It was very titillating, but scary.
Nancy paused, gathering her thoughts. “I am intrigued and yes, I have some thoughts about the industry. You have been very candid with me so I will be with you. If it weren’t for the money and the ‘perks,’ I would be gone… oh… wait… I am gone,” she said, breaking into laughter, “…but I am ready to ‘drink some more Kool-Aid’…and the truth is, money’sooths the savage beast.’ Am I prepared to hoist the flag and charge into battle? Hardly! …but…”
“Precisely where I am,” responded Kelly, “I, frankly, don’t consider myself a hero… but entertaining these thoughts has given me a strange sense of fulfillment and excitement. If I am not prepared to be a ‘flag carrier’ then maybe just being a foot soldier is enough.”
Kelly took a sip of her drink while they both pondered their respective positions.
“If I were to consider working with this guy, assuming he would offer me the job, how do you see this happening?” asked Nancy.
&nbs
p; “I don’t have a clue,” frowned Kelly, “…Well, that’s not exactly true. I did contemplate something, but it hasn’t exactly reached the stage of a plan. My thought before I called you was that if you were to work with Marty… oops… one too many drinks… with him, and we were of generally the same mind, the pooling of our information could be valuable for anything that develops down the line. As they say… information is power. I do know that whatever we decide to do or not do, we need to not be seen together. Any further contact would have to be covert, although our respective positions would give us some ’cover’ for contact.”
Kelly clarified further, “Derek’s not so subtle message, with the order for me to expunge all previous communication, was very clear.”
“Which was?”
“Don’t fuck with the big boys. This is above your pay grade!”
“Yikes!” exclaimed Nancy.
“I don’t want to unduly alarm you Nancy, but these people play for keeps. Anything or anyone that comes in their way gets dealt with severely. If we were perceived to be working against Big Pharma in any way, our ass is grass and they have the lawnmower.”
Nancy shivered, “I’m not sure I have the chutzpah to do something like this.”
“Me either, Nancy, but I just feel I have to do something, and collecting a little information surely wouldn’t be noticed, especially when we would be at the center of the flow.”
“But why are we doing it?” asked Nancy
“Well… for one thing, we may be able to help this guy somewhere down the road. The rest I’m not sure yet, but I know something for sure. We will have a lot of information and ‘information is power.’”
***
The next morning, Kelly dialed Marty.
“Marty Cooper.”
“Mr. Cooper, it’s Kelly Freeman. Do you have a minute?”
“Of course, what can I do for you?”
“I think I may have someone that you could be interested in.”
“Splendid.”
“I have known her for several years. She just recently left a mid-sized pharmaceutical company and would be available immediately.”
“Sounds very interesting, Kelly. When could I meet her?”
“I would have to check. I, of course, did not disclose anything in our conversation, but with the few generalities I laid out, she expressed interest. I’ll see if I can set an appointment whenever you are available.”
Marty couldn’t hide his excitement, “Great… the sooner the better.”
“I may be able to get her in this afternoon. Does that work for you?”
Marty looked at his calendar, “Absolutely. How about 3 o’clock?”
“Let’s assume that’s confirmed, unless you hear back from me. By the way, her name is Nancy Stone. Should she come to your new offices?”
Marty chuckled, “Yes, if she doesn’t mind the mess”
“Well, considering she may be the one to help clean it up, it seems appropriate,” laughed Kelly.
“Touché… and Kelly, thank you for this. If it works out, I owe you one.”
“Not at all. It’s my pleasure and I hope it works out. I think you will find her more than what you are looking for.”
“I hope so. Talk to you soon.”
After hanging up, she dialed Nancy.
“Hello… Nancy Stone.”
“What? …after baring my soul, my name is not in your contact list?”
Nancy snickered, “Thanks… I just spewed coffee all over my iPad. What’s up?”
“You’re on at 3 with Marty Cooper.”
“Wow! That was fast.”
“Do you know him?” asked Kelly.
Nancy paused, “I don’t think so.”
“No matter. Just take your resume, your good looks, and knock him dead.” Kelly described where the office was and where to park. “Good luck, Nancy. I think this could work.”
“Thank you again, Kelly. You don’t know what this is doing for my sanity.”
“No problem. Keep me posted.”
“Will do.”
***
Nancy had no problem finding the building and the underground parking. Walking to the elevators, she started feeling ‘the butterflies.’ What did he need? Did she have the qualifications and experience? What did he want? Could she handle it? Would she like him? Would he like her? “…Stop it…” she yelled to herself. It is either going to be or not to be. Accept it now and the rest is easy.
The elevator stopped at 14 and she stepped into utter chaos. Boxes, furniture dollies, moving blankets, and big, sweaty men. She surmised that to the left was her destination. Slipping around the furniture and through the door, she spied a casually dressed man waving directions to one of the movers. Assuming him to be Marty Cooper, she walked over.
“Mr. Cooper,” she said hopefully.
“Nancy?” responded Marty.
“Yes… Nancy Stone.”
“Nice to meet you, Nancy… Marty Cooper.”
Marty couldn’t resist an up and down assessment of Nancy. She looked so elegant in her black Versace, just enough makeup to accent her beautiful high cheek bones and the most penetrating green eyes he had ever seen that were assessing him as well.
Having both finished their mutual perusal, Marty said, “Let’s go into what will one day be my office.” They skirted the activity and found Marty’s office with two chairs.
“Excuse the elegance,” chuckled Marty.
Nancy laughed, “Very chic.”
As they sat down opposite each other, Marty couldn’t help looking at her legs.
Well, he’s definitely a man, thought Nancy.
“So, Nancy Stone, tell me a little about yourself.”
Nancy took a deep breath, “Well, I am 29 years old, single and… out of work.”
Marty broke into laughter, “That’s a great beginning… How did that happen?”
“Until yesterday, I had worked for Arthur and Associates, a small pharmaceutical…”
“I know that Company,” interrupted Marty, “the CEO is… umm… Rod Arthur… right?”
Nancy froze! Are they friends? Am I already cooked? “Yes, that’s right,” she answered. There was silence.
Finally, Marty spoke, “Is there a problem?”
She could see only one way through this. “We had a… what shall I say… difference of opinion and I chose to leave.” It hung in the air like a bad odor.
Marty was impressed that she chose to address this immediately. He also was kind of pleased. He had met Rod Arthur a couple of times at various events and had not been impressed. He was an arrogant ass and had belittled Marty when he found out that Marty was a mere employee.
“I think I understand. I have been in his presence a few times,” he smiled.
The air whooshed out of her. “Oh… anyway I have known Kelly Freeman for a few years and she suggested that maybe my background could be of help in your new enterprise.”
“What were you doing with Mr. Arthur?”
“I was his executive assistant for four years. Basically, I coordinated everything within the company.”
“Did you have any experience with social media, media relations, PR, advertising… those areas?”
“Very much so. Those were predominately where Mr. Arthur had me focusing. Being a small company, I had to develop and strengthen relationships. It was often difficult because sometimes the personalities didn’t mesh.”
Ah… thought Marty… a diplomat. She was saying the company could have grown were it not for Rod Arthur’s boorish personality. Marty liked that she wasn’t ‘badmouthing’ Arthur.
Nancy continued, “I worked with all the various media genres, preparing launch information, countering negative attacks, researching, clarifying opinions, contacting experts, etcetera.”
Marty’s eyebrows raised, “You really were in ‘the trenches,’ weren’t you?”
“Yes, and, in the process, I developed relationships with most of the industry’s top peopl
e.”
“Do you think those relationships will survive your leaving?” asked Marty.
“Actually, I think they will be strengthened, and I will leave it at that.”
“Nancy, I am impressed. What about the mechanics of setting up and running a company of this nature?” Marty posed.
“Well, first, it is not strange to me. When I started with Mr. Arthur, there was no infrastructure at all. He was basically a loner and didn’t appreciate the need for support. As a result, I had to set up not only the systems but the physical necessities as well. I guess, the short answer is… this would be easier. There are no entrenched biases in place.”
Marty stood up and started pacing. “As you can see, I am starting from scratch. Whoever I hire as my assistant will be leaned on heavily. I will be trusting them totally in all areas of the company. Would this concern you?”
“Not at all. It’s not foreign to me,” replied Nancy confidently.
Pacing again, Marty stopped and turned to Nancy, “Let’s get something out of the way. What would be your expectation of remuneration?”
Nancy paused. She had not expected the first interview to reach this level.
“This is all so sudden. I haven’t really given that any consideration. I don’t feel as though I am in a position to negotiate,” she smiled, “I am at your mercy.”
Marty laughed, “Yes, it is rather sudden. Initially, I am very impressed. I am sure you can appreciate I need to do a background check, but assuming it pans out, I would be willing to offer you $75,000 a year plus expenses with stock options and bonuses to be negotiated as we move forward.”
“That’s more than generous.”
“Great. Text me your full name, address and social number. I will order the background today and should be back in touch with you within a couple of days.”
Nancy stood and accepted his handshake. “Thank you, Mr. Cooper. You will not regret this decision.”
“I believe you,” said Marty while leading her through the maze of furniture to the elevator. “Oh… when could you start?”
“Should I start moving furniture now?” She said, laughing.
“Could you please?” answered Marty.
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