Up & Out - Ariella Papa [23]
I just want to feel something good. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
5
Shitloads of Money
I get to work at nine-thirty. There are signs all over our floor redirecting us to the theater. Didn’t we already go through this Friday afternoon?
We aren’t allowed into the theater, but in the lobby of the theater they have set up breakfast stations. Now, it isn’t the usual cold bagels and quasi-molding cream cheese. Somebody actually went to some trouble. There are French pastries, giant doughnuts and bagels in all flavors. Wait a minute! Do I see lox? I do. If they are trying to buy me, it’s beginning to work. The only thing that could have sealed the deal was an omelet station. And maybe some bacon or French toast. Okay, it could always be better, but this was a start.
I look around for my teammates or anyone I know, but seeing mostly the type of people that came in early (and therefore not the people who work on creating the programs), I go to work on fixing the most amazing bagel with lox and cream cheese ever. There are even fresh lemons to squeeze on top. I smell decent coffee brewing. Of course, I have to get a doughnut. How will I balance it all?
“Rebecca.” It is Janice and John, making their way to me. I have the coffee, but I will have to sacrifice the doughnut. I hope there will be pastries left over when we get out of whatever harm is going to befall us.
“Hi, guys.” I try to avoid looking at the quiche that someone is just putting out. “You guys are here early.”
“We decided it would be a good idea to get in early today,” John says.
“Yeah, funny how we both came to that conclusion and ran into each other on the subway,” Janice says, obviously correcting him. If only they keep talking, I’ll be able to eat my way around the table. If the powers that be are going to do a mass termination, at least they could offer Tupperware.
“Well, it was smart you guys got here early—you know what they say about banker’s hours.” If anyone dares to leave at six, we accuse them of keeping banker’s hours, a set day that has an end. I take a quick, desperate bite of my bagel masterpiece.
“How can you even eat at a time like this?” Janice asks. I thought she knew me better by now. The truth is I can always eat. Luckily, John comes to my defense, so I get another bite in.
“We might as well take advantage while we can, hon.” I pretend not to hear the “hon” and bite the overhanging salmon off my bagel.
“I’m thinking Zabar’s,” I say to John, who is getting the evil eye from Janice for the term of endearment. “Have either of you seen Jen?”
They shake their heads. At that very moment the doors to the theater open. John curses.
“Now I won’t have time for breakfast.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see him stare at the other half of my bagel. Now, I’ll do a lot for my team, but there is no way I am sharing smoked salmon of this quality—Zabar’s smoked salmon—with him. To be sure, I lick a little of the cream cheese off that half.
“We can save you a seat, John,” Janice says. I nod.
“Do you guys want anything?” Janice, the iron-willed, shakes her head.
“Maybe just one of those baby brioches,” I say. “If you don’t mind.”
We herd in with the rest. The big screen is down. Now we are going to be watching movies?
“How long do you think this is going to last?” Janice asks.
“I don’t know, but I have deadlines.” A graphic for Indiana Mutual came up on the screen. John returns and hands me a big brioche.
“Sorry, Rebecca, this is all they had left.” He winks at me. There is the usual sound of feedback. This time, instead of being as horrified as we usually are, everyone gets quiet. A middle-aged man with a beer belly and a nice suit is standing at the podium.
“Hello, everyone, my name is Cobb Michaels.” Did he say Cobb? “I am the president of Indiana Mutual Worldwide. We are so excited about this partnership and thought it would be great if we all took a day to get to know the company we’re all going to