be ashes in a matter of seconds.
“Hello Luc,” she said, finding just enough air in her lungs to force the words.
“Clara,” he replied.
It was impossible to tell what he was thinking with that one hoarse word, but he caught her eye with a dagger-like stare.
She swallowed the excess saliva in her mouth and said, “I didn’t know you’d be here—”
“Nor I, you.”
“Oh splendid!” Charlie interjected. “You two know already each other? You met at the party then, did you? Looks like our work is half done, Kingsley, eh?”
“Charlie, what’s happening?” Clara asked under her breath as they settled in the chairs around Bartel’s desk.
“It’s all very exciting, Clara. You’ll see.”
Bartel remained standing, or more accurately, lording , while Luc, Charlie, and Clara perched on the edge of their seats. “Newspapers, magazines, the entire print industry, has been in a state of flux for the past ten years,” he began. “The old Fleet Street model is archaic, practically obsolete in this digital age. BMG has always prided itself for being on the leading edge of new technology, of keeping up with market trends. Our Atlantic division was the first to embrace the smaller broadsheet, and while the Boston Globe and San Francisco Chronicles were busy bleeding money, we were gearing up for full heat-set color print runs. We were one of the first to present our product online, ignoring the naysayers who insisted on monetizing the industry first, and yet we still managed to grow our paid subscriptions by three percent a year since. Our strong brand identity, respected journalism, and ability to deliver an affluent demographic to advertisers kept us alive in this rapidly changing world.
“However,” he said and let a moment of silence punctuate his message. “That doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels. The world is changing, the industry is once more at a critical turning point, once more in the throes of a revolution and, rather than go the way of the dodo, Bartel Media intends on leading the charge. We’re going to reimagine this business, beginning with a massive restructuring.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Clara saw Charlie’s chins quiver in an enthusiastic nod. She wished she could share his zeal but she had a knot of fear growing in her gut about where this was going.
Leading the charge , Bartel said. Was that not just an expression of change? And restructuring always led to layoffs, which is more than likely why she was sitting here. But why must she endure the pony show? Couldn’t he have simply said “Get out” like any decent employer?
“You’re probably wondering how that’s going to affect you two?” he said, pointing to Clara and Luc. “The world is getting smaller. And younger. We need to appeal to the savvy, educated, world-conscious youth market on their terms. So, in addition to offering a web-based version of our dailies, we’ll also be launching a blog to showcase our most popular writers. I envision bridging the gap between the United States and Europe by pairing photographers with political essayists, music critics with technology experts, editors with opposing world views. But you two,” Bartel said, opening his arms to encompass them within an implied circle. “The two of you will be our opening act, the launch of the new site, the cornerstone of our initiative. Together, the two of you will represent the cultural marriage of our favorite pastimes: our obsession with sports and love of exquisite cuisine.”
The buzz of his private line interrupted him. He stuck his finger in the air and lifted the receiver.
“I thought America’s favorite pastime was baseball ,” Clara said under her breath.
“And I thought our second favorite pastime was sex ,” Luc countered.
Clara would have found it hilarious under different circumstances, but for now it was infuriating. So she jabbed back with, “I’d hardly call your Denny’s Grand Slam exquisite cuisine
“Hello Luc,” she said, finding just enough air in her lungs to force the words.
“Clara,” he replied.
It was impossible to tell what he was thinking with that one hoarse word, but he caught her eye with a dagger-like stare.
She swallowed the excess saliva in her mouth and said, “I didn’t know you’d be here—”
“Nor I, you.”
“Oh splendid!” Charlie interjected. “You two know already each other? You met at the party then, did you? Looks like our work is half done, Kingsley, eh?”
“Charlie, what’s happening?” Clara asked under her breath as they settled in the chairs around Bartel’s desk.
“It’s all very exciting, Clara. You’ll see.”
Bartel remained standing, or more accurately, lording , while Luc, Charlie, and Clara perched on the edge of their seats. “Newspapers, magazines, the entire print industry, has been in a state of flux for the past ten years,” he began. “The old Fleet Street model is archaic, practically obsolete in this digital age. BMG has always prided itself for being on the leading edge of new technology, of keeping up with market trends. Our Atlantic division was the first to embrace the smaller broadsheet, and while the Boston Globe and San Francisco Chronicles were busy bleeding money, we were gearing up for full heat-set color print runs. We were one of the first to present our product online, ignoring the naysayers who insisted on monetizing the industry first, and yet we still managed to grow our paid subscriptions by three percent a year since. Our strong brand identity, respected journalism, and ability to deliver an affluent demographic to advertisers kept us alive in this rapidly changing world.
“However,” he said and let a moment of silence punctuate his message. “That doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels. The world is changing, the industry is once more at a critical turning point, once more in the throes of a revolution and, rather than go the way of the dodo, Bartel Media intends on leading the charge. We’re going to reimagine this business, beginning with a massive restructuring.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Clara saw Charlie’s chins quiver in an enthusiastic nod. She wished she could share his zeal but she had a knot of fear growing in her gut about where this was going.
Leading the charge , Bartel said. Was that not just an expression of change? And restructuring always led to layoffs, which is more than likely why she was sitting here. But why must she endure the pony show? Couldn’t he have simply said “Get out” like any decent employer?
“You’re probably wondering how that’s going to affect you two?” he said, pointing to Clara and Luc. “The world is getting smaller. And younger. We need to appeal to the savvy, educated, world-conscious youth market on their terms. So, in addition to offering a web-based version of our dailies, we’ll also be launching a blog to showcase our most popular writers. I envision bridging the gap between the United States and Europe by pairing photographers with political essayists, music critics with technology experts, editors with opposing world views. But you two,” Bartel said, opening his arms to encompass them within an implied circle. “The two of you will be our opening act, the launch of the new site, the cornerstone of our initiative. Together, the two of you will represent the cultural marriage of our favorite pastimes: our obsession with sports and love of exquisite cuisine.”
The buzz of his private line interrupted him. He stuck his finger in the air and lifted the receiver.
“I thought America’s favorite pastime was baseball ,” Clara said under her breath.
“And I thought our second favorite pastime was sex ,” Luc countered.
Clara would have found it hilarious under different circumstances, but for now it was infuriating. So she jabbed back with, “I’d hardly call your Denny’s Grand Slam exquisite cuisine
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