The Click Trilogy
Page 34
To: Shelley Manning
CC: PBCupLover, Ashley Gordon, Mark Finlay, cassidy
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
Okay, okay. I will take all of this incredible – however conflicting – advice and do my best to passionately articulate my case but with as little emotion as possible while still standing up for myself with a take-no-prisoners attitude but not coming across as too obstinate. Whew! I’m already exhausted. I’ll let you know how it goes.
From: Renee Greene – October 17, 2012 – 10:47 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Cc: PBCupLover, Ashley Gordon, Mark Finlay, cassidy
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
Very interesting discussion with my boss today about one Miranda Jencey. I told her that I had interviewed with her a long time ago for a job and that based on my interactions with her, I didn't think she would mesh well with our team's dynamic. My perspective was that our team responds better to a different managerial approach than the one she has.
My boss thanked me for my insight and said she agreed. She apparently knew Miranda from several industry organizations and boards and didn't think she would succeed at our company. That's my boss's way of saying she thinks Miranda is a shrew. She just needed someone else to give her the thumbs down so she had ammunition to go to senior management. She knew that I would be astute enough to see the real Miranda right away.
Ding dong the witch is dead! Well, not that I wish death upon her. I just don't want to work with her. And, makes me feel good that my boss thinks I'm astute. *cue applause* Thanks all for the advice and encouragement.
From: PBCupLover – October 17, 2012 – 10:51 AM
To: Renee Greene
CC: Ashley Gordon, Shelley Manning, Mark Finlay, cassidy
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
As you would say, "hurrah!" Happy for you, Babe. I'll be home late tonight but if you can stay awake, we can have a glass of wine and toast to your astuteness and a-cuteness.
From: Shelley Manning – October 17, 2012 – 11:45 AM
To: PBCupLover
CC: Ashley Gordon, Renee Greene, Mark Finlay, cassidy
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
KA-BOOM! Way to set that torpedo loose. That'll show her. You can't treat people like shit and expect to get away with it. What goes around, comes around. Good for you!
From: Mark Finlay – October 17, 2012 – 2:30 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Cc: Ashley Gordon, Renee Greene, PBCupLover, cassidy
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
Glad it all worked out. But really, I think you should start your own firm. You would probably make tons more money and have more control over the types of clients you want to work with. Something to consider. You know I could be a great asset in helping you get it all set up. I've got the know-how from doing my own thing and as you've been kind enough to point out on several occasions, I am – ahem – organized. Let me know.
From: Renee Greene – October 17, 2012 – 2:38 PM
To: Mark Finlay
Cc: PBCupLover, Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon, cassidy
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
Aw, thanks for the offer to help me out there, Mark. You’ve already done enough by recommending Ethan for the CFO position. But I think I'm fine staying put where I am...for now. Enough changes going on in my life as it is.
From: Ashley Gordon – October 17, 2012 – 9:07 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
Glad it all worked out. I must say, I don’t miss office politics. But I do miss having adult conversations. Promise you’ll keep me in the loop on stuff after the baby arrives. This is a lonely life.
From: Renee Greene – October 18, 2012 – 8:52 AM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Advice needed - desperately!
Of course, Ashley. Life wouldn’t be the same without your input and participation. I hope you talked with your doctor. Hang in there. I love you!
From: Renee Greene – October 18, 2012 – 10:13 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Bonus time!
I just landed me a nice little cash bonus. Perhaps some reverberations from the Miranda Jencey KA-BOOM. All I can say is, KA-CHING! Let’s go out tonight and celebrate.
From: PBCupLover – October 18, 2012 – 10:18 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Bonus time!
Awesome! Congrats, Babe. I must say, I’m especially happy because this is going to be my marriage for money. The next time I get married, it’s going to be for love.
From: Renee Greene – October 18, 2012 – 10:20 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Bonus time!
Oh, really. Well next time, I’m going to marry for looks.
From: PBCupLover – October 18, 2012 – 10:21 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Bonus time!
Ooooh, ouch! That hurts. Love ya, Babe!
From: Renee Greene – October 18, 2012 – 10:22 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Bonus time!
As Shelley once told me, “Those who like me, raise your hand. Those who don’t, raise your standards.” Ha! Love you, too. See you tonight.
From: Renee Greene – October 22, 2012 – 10:01 AM
To: Ashley Gordon, Shelley Manning, Mark Finlay, cassidy
Cc: PBCupLover
Subject: Ghost of a chance…
…anyone is interested in doing something for Halloween? Ethan and I have no plans yet.
From: Ashley Gordon – October 22, 2012 – 10:35 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
I’m on official baby watch. I was at the doctor’s office this morning, literally crying and begging her to take him out. I can’t take much more of this.
From: Renee Greene – October 22, 2012 – 10:38 AM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
Him? Take him out? My sweet angel is a him? Oh! I am so excited! In fact, I’m crying right now.
From: Ashley Gordon – October 22, 2012 – 10:42 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
First of all, what would you have said if I called him a her?
From: Renee Greene – October 22, 2012 – 10:43 AM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
I would have cried then, too. I’m just so happy for you and that lucky little baby.
From: Ashley Gordon – October 22, 2012 – 10:45 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
Well, just hold your horses…and those tears! I just used him as a non-descript pronoun. I just don’t like calling him or her, “it.” We don’t know the baby’s gender and won’t be finding out until the big moment. I’m praying it’s soon.
From: Renee Greene – October 22, 2012 – 10:47 AM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
Damit woman! You are seriously going to drive me stark raving mad. Now I’m crying…out of frustration!
From: Ashley Gordon – October 22, 2012 – 10:49 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
Ha! That’s the only good thing about dragging this pregnancy out. I know it’s driving you nuts.
From: Renee Greene – October 22, 2012 – 10:50 AM
To: Ashley Gordon
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
Oooooh. You’re mean. If you weren’t carrying my sweet angel in your belly…
From: Shelley Manning – October 23, 2012 – 9:12 AM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: PBCupLover, Ashley Gordon, Mark Finlay, cassidy
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
I will be in Seattle. But, I’ve got a doozy of a costume this year…deviled egg.
From: Renee Greene – October 23, 2012 – 9:52 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Cc: PBCupLover, Ashley Gordon, Mark Finlay, cassidy
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
Egg-celent costume! And quite apropos, don’t you think?
From: Shelley Manning – October 23, 2012 – 10:58 AM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: PBCupLover, Ashley Gordon, Mark Finlay, cassidy
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
True. I am an egg-emplary devil.
From: Mark Finlay – October 23, 2012 – 11:12 AM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: PBCupLover, Ashley Gordon, Shelley Manning, cassidy
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
A devil? Really? Don’t you think you’re putting all of your eggs in one basket?
From: Shelley Manning – October 23, 2012 – 11:59 AM
To: Mark Finlay
Cc: PBCupLover, Ashley Gordon, Renee Greene, cassidy
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
Omelettin’ you slide on that one, Finlay.
From: cassidy – October 23, 2012 – 2:25 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Cc: PBCupLover, Ashley Gordon, Mark Finlay, Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
well, underneath that hard shell, i think your soft and gooey inside.
h’s & k’s,
cassidy
From: Renee Greene – October 23, 2012 – 2:32 PM
To: cassidy
Cc: PBCupLover, Ashley Gordon, Mark Finlay, Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
That’s a pretty good yolk, Cassidy.
From: Ashley Gordon – October 23, 2012 – 3:13 PM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: PBCupLover, cassidy, Mark Finlay, Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
That cracks me up!
From: Renee Greene – October 23, 2012 – 4:42 PM
To: Ashley Gordon
Cc: PBCupLover, Mark Finlay, Shelley Manning, cassidy
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
It all boils down to Ethan – king of puns.
From: PBCupLover – October 24, 2012 – 8:12 AM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: cassidy, Ashley Gordon, Mark Finlay, Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
Trying to think of a good egg pun is scrambling my brain.
From: Shelley Manning – October 24, 2012 – 8:59 AM
To: PBCupLover
Cc: Ashley Gordon, Mark Finlay, cassidy, Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
Have you been beaten, Ethan?
From: PBCupLover – October 24, 2012 – 12:32 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Cc: Renee Greene, Cassidy, Ashley Gordon, Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
No, just saying that my brain is starting to feel a little fried.
From: Shelley Manning – October 24, 2012 – 2:14 PM
To: PBCupLover
Cc: Ashley Gordon, Mark Finlay, cassidy, Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
Well, try looking on the sunny side. You always have nest time.
From: Renee Greene – October 24, 2012 – 2:25 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Cc: PBCupLover, Ashley Gordon, Mark Finlay, cassidy
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
With a little effort Ethan, I know you can hatch some good ones.
From: PBCupLover – October 24, 2012 – 3:15 PM
To: Renee Greene
Cc: Shelley Manning, Ashley Gordon, Mark Finlay, cassidy
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
Tell me that ova and ova and maybe it will come true.
From: Ashley Gordon – October 24, 2012 – 5:07 PM
To: PBCupLover
Cc: Shelley Manning, Mark Finlay, cassidy, Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
Some of these puns have been really rotten.
From: Shelley Manning – October 25, 2012 – 8:25 AM
To: Ashley Gordon
Cc: Mark Finlay, cassidy, Renee Greene PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Ghost of a chance…
Egg-actly! Hens-forth, I think we should avoid these types of discussions and get back to work.
From: Renee Greene – October 29, 2012 – 12:23 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Clock-sucker!
I hate clients!!!!! They are rude, selfish and belligerent. My client just YELLED at me, “Don’t tell me the time! Build me a watch!” What the hell does that mean?!?
From: PBCupLover – October 29, 2012 – 12:25 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Clock-sucker!
Time will tell.
From: Renee Greene – October 29, 2012 – 12:27 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Clock-sucker!
Seriously! No puns, please. I’m being serious. What does that mean? I don’t know what the hell he wants!!!!
From: PBCupLover – October 29, 2012 – 12:30 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Clock-sucker!
Calm down! Take a deep breath. I think he’s looking for you to create a process for him, rather than give him a result.
From: Renee Greene – October 29, 2012 – 12:33 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Clock-sucker!
Oh, I see. Tell me how to do it myself so that I can take all of the work in house and fire your agency’s ass. I’ll just suck all of the knowledge (and self-esteem) out of you for my own advantage (and sadism). Great! He really is a clock-sucker!
From: PBCupLover – October 29, 2012 – 12:40 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Clock-sucker!
Clearly, you are having a bad day. Can you go get some lunch away from the office?
From: Renee Greene – October 29, 2012 – 12:41 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Clock-sucker!
No. I have a meeting in 20 minutes. I’m going to the bathroom to cry.
From: PBCupLover – October 29, 2012 – 12:45 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Clock-sucker!
Don’t be silly! If I had a dollar for every time I’ve told you that you need to not to be emotional about work, I could quit this job and we could retire.
From: Renee Greene – October 29, 2012 – 12:51 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Clock-sucker!
Don’t tell me the time. Build me a damn clock. See what I did there? I turned it around on you. I may be an on-the-verge-of-tears mess right now, but I’m still mighty clever.
From: PBCupLover – October 29, 2012 – 12:56 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Clock-sucker!
I love that you are so invested in your professional reputation and take all of your client interaction so personally. It shows how much you care about doing your best. But to most people, all of this is just business. Not personal. They will never go home feeling bad about yelling at you, condemning your ideas, stealing your staff, etc. That’s business. You just need to go to work, do your best, and leave it all there on your desk when you go home.
From: Renee Greene – October 29, 2012 – 12:59 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Clock-sucker!
Much easier said than done. And for a girl who can talk a mile a minute, that’s sayin’ something, right? At least I have an amazing fiancé to come home to. Hopefully you’ll be there tonight (hint! hint!). Gotta run. Conference call with Mephistopheles, Beelzebub and Shemp (i.e. a combination of the clients from hell and Three Stooges) in three…two…one…
From: PBCupLover – October 29, 2012
– 1:00 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Clock-sucker!
Go kick some ass and then leave it at the office. Love you, Babe.
From: Renee Greene – October 29, 2012 – 1:01 PM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Clock-sucker!
:)
Chapter 18 – And the Baby is…
From: Greg Gordon – November 1, 2012 – 4:02 AM
To:
Subject: Arrival!!!!
Greg and Ashley Gordon are pleased to announce the arrival of Siobhan Emily Gordon, named in honor of my maternal grandmother Sandra and Ashley’s Aunt Edith. The little pumpkin was born Thursday, October 31 at 11:54 PM just in time for Halloween, weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces and 21 inches long. Mommy and baby are doing great.
From: Shelley Manning – November 1, 2012 – 8:36 AM
To: Greg Gordon
Subject: Re: Arrival!!!!
I’ve never believed in love at first sight until now. She’s beautiful. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there! I thought most first pregnancies were late…not a week early. So give me details!
From: Shelley Manning – November 1, 2012 – 8:38 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Fwd: Arrival!!!!
She really is beautiful. Amazing how two mildly-attractive people could produce such a gorgeous child.
From: PBCupLover – November 1, 2012 – 9:04 AM
To: Greg Gordon
Bcc: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Arrival!!!!
There’s an old expression that babies are born knowing how to cry but someone has to teach them how to laugh. Lucky you. Enjoy!
From: Renee Greene – November 1, 2012 – 9:06 AM
To: PBCupLover
Subject: Re: Arrival!!!!
That is so beautiful. You always have the perfect thing to say.