to meet Mr. Pushy in the steakhouse. I hang my clothes, brush my teeth and check my e-mail. I doing everything I can to waste as much time as possible so that I can avoid my talk with Anna. Knowing I can’t put it off any longer, I grab my phone, a notepad and I sit Indian style on the big king sized bed.
Dialing the number, the phone rings several times before I hear Anna’s voice. “Hi, Karlie!”
“Hi, how are you?” I ask meekly.
“Well, things could be less hectic. What happened today? Tell me exactly what you did today!”
Panic begins to rise. She knows already. Where do I begin? Do I start with the flight or do I go directly for the reason I am being let go. “So much has happened today, where do you want me to begin?” I look down at my hands and see that they are shaking. I feel sick to my stomach and I fear I may lose the Caesar salad from lunch.
“I just got off the phone with Michael. I guess that was what the M stood for on his dossier. He had quite a bit to say. Anyway, he called to congratulate me on our making it to round two.” Uh-oh, here it comes. “He also informed me that during some down time you created the perfect patio design for the rooftop venue. He has decided to use our firm for that project. I have been busy putting together the contract for him to sign. What a boon Karlie! He mentioned something about toilet paper rolls , but I had no idea what he was talking about. He said you used unconventional methods, but he respected your resourcefulness, and courage. He did say that you were late twice and hoped that was not the norm for you. If I didn’t know better I would have thought he was describing someone else. The Karlie I know is sweet and compliant, well prepared, and easy-going and never late. Regardless, I am so proud of you. Michael tells me that the final decision will be made on Monday in regards to the bigger picture. Tonight he plans to give you and the other designer your assignment. That sounds like such fun. It’s almost like a game. Just make sure you don’t lose. You will have the weekend to work on your project and will be asked to present it on Monday morning. I will be around all weekend to help you if you need advice or just a sounding board. Now, tell me about our client.”
Stunned by the turn of events. I am speechless.
“Karlie, are you there?”
“Yes, Yes I am here. I was just thinking of how to describe Mr. Scarpetti. Um… he is driven and has very specific ideas. He seems somewhat aloof and some may perceive that as arrogant. I believe that Tempo is more than a hotel to him. It seems very personal.”
“He seemed charming on the phone. Is he nice looking?”
“He is a nice looking man.” Feeling uncomfortable talking about Michael, I look around and try to find a distraction. I need to hang up and process this new information.
“Anna, I need to go soon because we have a dinner meeting and I need to shower and change before I head to the lobby.” The mention of the lobby reminds me that I need some information from Anna about my travel and lodging arrangements. “Anna, before I hang up I needed to ask you who made my travel arrangements.”
“Why, is something wrong?”
“No, no I was just wondering how I ended up on that particular flight and how I got so lucky to have such a lovely suite. It must be costing a fortune.”
“Brenda made all of your flight arrangements. She was going to put you on a later flight , but I was afraid if you got there too late, you wouldn’t have the time you needed to prepare and get rest. The noon flight got you to Las Vegas six hours earlier. As far as your hotel arrangements, the client insisted you stay at the Four Seasons and in a suite of our choice. He wanted to make sure that you had a place that gave you enough room to sleep, eat, relax and work since this project could be long term. The location was picked because it’s at the end of the strip, where there would be less noise, traffic
Dialing the number, the phone rings several times before I hear Anna’s voice. “Hi, Karlie!”
“Hi, how are you?” I ask meekly.
“Well, things could be less hectic. What happened today? Tell me exactly what you did today!”
Panic begins to rise. She knows already. Where do I begin? Do I start with the flight or do I go directly for the reason I am being let go. “So much has happened today, where do you want me to begin?” I look down at my hands and see that they are shaking. I feel sick to my stomach and I fear I may lose the Caesar salad from lunch.
“I just got off the phone with Michael. I guess that was what the M stood for on his dossier. He had quite a bit to say. Anyway, he called to congratulate me on our making it to round two.” Uh-oh, here it comes. “He also informed me that during some down time you created the perfect patio design for the rooftop venue. He has decided to use our firm for that project. I have been busy putting together the contract for him to sign. What a boon Karlie! He mentioned something about toilet paper rolls , but I had no idea what he was talking about. He said you used unconventional methods, but he respected your resourcefulness, and courage. He did say that you were late twice and hoped that was not the norm for you. If I didn’t know better I would have thought he was describing someone else. The Karlie I know is sweet and compliant, well prepared, and easy-going and never late. Regardless, I am so proud of you. Michael tells me that the final decision will be made on Monday in regards to the bigger picture. Tonight he plans to give you and the other designer your assignment. That sounds like such fun. It’s almost like a game. Just make sure you don’t lose. You will have the weekend to work on your project and will be asked to present it on Monday morning. I will be around all weekend to help you if you need advice or just a sounding board. Now, tell me about our client.”
Stunned by the turn of events. I am speechless.
“Karlie, are you there?”
“Yes, Yes I am here. I was just thinking of how to describe Mr. Scarpetti. Um… he is driven and has very specific ideas. He seems somewhat aloof and some may perceive that as arrogant. I believe that Tempo is more than a hotel to him. It seems very personal.”
“He seemed charming on the phone. Is he nice looking?”
“He is a nice looking man.” Feeling uncomfortable talking about Michael, I look around and try to find a distraction. I need to hang up and process this new information.
“Anna, I need to go soon because we have a dinner meeting and I need to shower and change before I head to the lobby.” The mention of the lobby reminds me that I need some information from Anna about my travel and lodging arrangements. “Anna, before I hang up I needed to ask you who made my travel arrangements.”
“Why, is something wrong?”
“No, no I was just wondering how I ended up on that particular flight and how I got so lucky to have such a lovely suite. It must be costing a fortune.”
“Brenda made all of your flight arrangements. She was going to put you on a later flight , but I was afraid if you got there too late, you wouldn’t have the time you needed to prepare and get rest. The noon flight got you to Las Vegas six hours earlier. As far as your hotel arrangements, the client insisted you stay at the Four Seasons and in a suite of our choice. He wanted to make sure that you had a place that gave you enough room to sleep, eat, relax and work since this project could be long term. The location was picked because it’s at the end of the strip, where there would be less noise, traffic
Similar Books
