“Max, I need you up here with me!” David waved to him from up on the higher balcony. Typing a few more words on the story, Max rose from his seat and ascended the stairs. David waited for him, hands in his pants pockets and tapping his foot on the ground.
“You called?” Max asked and David nodded, gesturing for him to follow.
“We’ve got a client who wanted to meet some of our journalists, and I wanted you to meet him.” This surprised Max, and his eyebrows raised. Dodging other employees as they walked along the balcony, David somehow picked up a cup of coffee. Max assumed that Jillian had walked by.
“You want me to meet him?” Max was fairly certain the disbelief became obvious in his voice. With an exasperated sigh, David turned to him and stopped walking.
“If we want his business, we have to look the part. We have to make him feel comfortable with putting his investment on us.” David draped an arm around his shoulder, making Max feel uncomfortable. David had never been too touchy-feely with him.
“So, it’s an interview of sorts?”
“Yeah, like an interview!” Releasing him, David once again started walking towards one of the conference rooms. They stopped just short of the door, David grasping Max’s arm painfully. He bit back a grunt. “And just like an interview, if you mess this up, you won’t get very far into your career. Got it?”
“Got it.” He whispered. Putting on a businessman’s smile, David straightened his sharp suit and entered the room, Max following behind.
“Mr. Freed, sir, a pleasure to meet you.” David held out his hand to the bigger man, shaking it curiously and with much enthusiasm. “Please, have a seat and we’ll get all the formalities out of the way.”
“David, I see you’ve made your way up from that family-owned paper business you used to be in.” The man took a seat across from them. Max sat on the couch next to David, perched on the edge of his seat as if he would have to run at a moment’s notice.
“Yes, I like to think I’ve improved. Would you like a cup of coffee?” Mr. Freed waved it off.
“No, but thank you.” He turned his gaze to Max. “And who might this be?”
“David seemed surprised that he had mentioned Max so early in the conversation. “Ah, yes. This is Max Lister, one of our writers. He’s been here for more than ten years now, a loyal employee if I’ve ever seen one.”
Mr. Freed reached forward with an open hand and Max shook it with manufactured confidence. In that moment, Max felt as if his entire career’s future was staring him in the face and he forced himself to give a little smile.
“Well, you’ve certainly got an interesting dress code for your company, David. Very interesting.” Mr. Freed glanced over the sweater and khaki pants that Max had on, comparing them to his own neatly pressed pants and suit jacket. Max was the odd one out.
David looked to be restraining himself from clearing his throat in discomfort. “Yes, well, I’ve told Max on more than one occasion that the dress code is to be enforced at all times. I spoke to him earlier about it. After all, I have the highest expectations when it comes to my employees.”
Max’s eye twitched. What was he saying? What Max was wearing was perfectly within the dress code, meaning David was lying through his teeth to impress Mr. Freed.
“I hope that his quality of work isn’t correlated to that of his quality of dress.” Max remained silent, still reeling over the fact that they were talking as if he wasn’t there.
“Max here knows that his job is on the line, and his work is improving as a result. Right, Max?”
He was too stunned to respond.
“I hope the rest of your company won’t be so lax?” Mr. Freed questioned, and David nodded emphatically.
“I fully guarantee it will meet all of your highest expectations, Mr. Freed.”
“Hmm...I see.” A loud buzzing came from his jacket pocket and he pulled out the mobile phone. Glancing at the screen he answered. “I’ve got to take this.”
“Go right ahead.” David replied.
“Mr. Freed speaking.” There was a pause as he listened to the other person. “I thought he wasn’t scheduled until tomorrow?” David took a sip from his coffee cup as they waited for the call to end. Mr. Freed gave a tired sigh. “Alright, well please inform him I will be there in fifteen minutes.” Hanging up the phone, he stuffed it back in his pocket.
“I’m afraid a tour of the facility will have to wait for another time, David. An important client of mine seems to have brought up his scheduled appointment to right now.”
“It’s no problem. Just give me a call.” The men shook hands once more and David showed Mr. Freed out the front. Max followed behind the two.
“I see promise in your company, David. Don’t let foolish ideals set you back.” Was Mr. Freed’s parting words before he pushed out the front doors and climbed into his expensive car. David waved as he left.
“What was that?” Max asked vehemently, turning to David in exasperation. “You bashed on my work performance!”
David only grinned and walked back inside with Max keeping up. “That, Max, was the sealing of the best deal we’ll have for the rest of the year. Nice work.”
“E-excuse me?”
“Oh. Have Jillian get you a coffee or something. You look a little tired.” Max stopped following him, stopping when he got back to his cubicle and David walked off to find his own office.
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