2
963 Words
Brian looked at me over his glass as he enjoyed his rye whiskey.
"I'm sure it stings, Richard. But what do you want me to do?"
"I want another job. That's what I want you to do. Find me one."
He dropped his glass with a dry laugh.
"We've already discussed it. With your resume, I can get you any job you want... except here. There are two bigwigs in Victoria, and you work for one of them. If you're finally ready to move, let me know. I'll have job openings for you in any major city you can think of. Toronto is growing like crazy."
I snorted irritably.
"I don't want to move. I like Victoria."
"Is there anything keeping you here?"
I drummed my fingers on the tabletop as I considered the question. I didn't know why I refused to move. I liked the city. I liked its proximity to the water, the restaurants, and the theaters; I liked the hustle and bustle of a big city in a small town, and most of all, I liked the weather. There was also something else, something I couldn't quite grasp, that was holding me back. I knew I could move; in fact, it seemed like the best solution, but it wasn't what I wanted.
"No, nothing tangible. I want to stay. Why can't I get a position at Gavin Group?"
"They'd be very lucky to have me. My campaigns speak for themselves."
Brian cleared his throat, tapping his glass with a manicured fingernail.
"Same as your personality."
"Being direct and demanding works in the advertising industry, Brian."
"That's not exactly what I mean, Richard."
"What exactly do you mean, damn it?"
Brian gestured for another drink and settled back in his seat, straightening his tie.
"Your reputation and name precede you. You know if they call you d**k, it's not always short. 'd**k' suits you quite well." He shrugged. "For obvious reasons."
I shrugged. I didn't care what people called me.
"Gavin Group is a family company. Unlike Anderson, they run the business based on two principles: family and integrity. They're very selective when it comes to choosing clients."
I snorted. Anderson Inc. would work for anyone. As long as there was money to be made, they'd create a campaign... no matter how unpleasant it might be for some consumers. I knew that, and I didn't care. I knew Gavin Group was much more selective about its clients, but I could work within its limits. David hated Gavin Group: leaving Anderson Inc. and going to work there would piss him off so much that he'd offer me a partner just to get me back on my feet. He might even offer it to me when he found out I was leaving. I had to make it happen.
"I'm capable of controlling myself and working on his terms."
"It's not just about that."
I waited for the waiter to leave after bringing us our drinks. I watched Brian for a moment. His bald head
gleamed and his blue eyes gleamed with mischief. He was relaxed and at ease with himself; my
dilemma didn't bother him at all. He stretched out his long legs, crossed them slowly, and
began to swing one as he picked up his drink.
"What else?"
"Graham Gavin is a family man, and he runs his company the same way. He only hires
people with those same values. Your... well, your personal life isn't exactly what he
would consider acceptable." I waved a hand, knowing what she meant.
"I dumped Erica a few months ago.
My ex-whatever made headlines with her drug addiction after falling off the catwalk
during a fashion show because she was high on something. Anyway, I'd had enough
of her demands. I ordered Miss Elliott to send flowers to the detox clinic
with a note explaining that our relationship was over and proceeded to block her number. A
week later, when she tried to see me, I ordered security to remove her from the building... Or rather, I ordered Miss Elliott to handle the task. She seemed to take pity on Erica
when she came downstairs, though when she returned shortly afterward, she assured me that Erica wouldn't bother me again. Go get some fresh air."
"It's not just Erica, Richard. You have a reputation. You're a womanizer when you're off work and a tyrant during the day." You've earned a reputation as a jerk. And none of that pleases
Graham Gavin.
"Consider me a reformed man."
Brian laughed.
"Richard, you don't get it. Graham's company is very family-oriented. My girlfriend, Amy, works there. I know how they operate. I've never seen a company like this in my life."
"Explain it to me."
"His whole family is involved in the business. His wife and kids, even their spouses.
They have picnics and dinners for the staff and their families. They pay well, treat them well. Their
customers love them. Getting hired is very difficult because it's rare for someone to leave the company."
"His wife is sick. The prognosis seems good, but he's decided to take the cs words. Everyone knew how important family was to the Gavin Group
and how low staff turnover there was in the company. David hated Graham Gavin and everything he
represented in the business world. To him, it was a cutthroat world, and he liked to play that way. The
bloodier, the better. We'd recently lost two big accounts to Gavin, and David was furious. Heads rolled that day… quite a few. Thank goodness the
accounts weren't mine.
"So, my joy was short-lived."
He hesitated, looked at me, and then looked over his shoulder.
"I know one of your managers is leaving."
I leaned forward, interested in the information.
"Why?"
- Writer
