The Lost Wolf

Naomi's Request For Transfer Rejected.

“Why do you think you would do better in Tacoma than here?” He asked his voice as solemn as the man himself. I ran my right hand through my hair, stared blankly into space for a short while before giving him an answer. “I just felt i would be able to contribute my own efforts to ensure more sales in that branch,” i answered. There was no way i could tell him the truth. It was illogical to tell him I’m a wolf and i want to go to Tacoma and live in a Wolf community. Nobody in the office knows that. It is a closely guarded secret. And I’m not ready to spill the beans today, not for any reason. I had to lie to the sales manager that i want to help raise the productivity of the Tacoma office. Looking at other things i could have told him, there was no way i could have said My Auntie was too old or sick and i wanted to be close to her. That would be a no-no for me. So, what i said, though a lie, was the only logical reason i could have given, in the present circumstances. He shrugged his shoulders, ran his right hand over his hair and said, “Well, helping the Tacoma branch to improve their productivity is a good enough reason for you to give for wanting a transfer to that office, but the staff over there are doing an excellent job at the moment. Brian, Maria and the rest of the sales team are bringing in good sales at this time and there may be no need to send in an extra sales person to pep them up.” His response struck me hard, but i tried not to show it. “OK, sir whatever you decide,” i responded, crossing my two hands in front of my chest and nodding solemnly. He must have noticed my pensive mood from my looks. “Or is there another reason why you want to go there that you don’t want to tell me?” He asked, looking directly into my eyes. “No sir,” i insisted. “Ok, if you insist the reason you gave me is the only reason why you are seeking a transfer, then I’m afraid we need you here more than in Tacoma. Though, your request is not totally foreclosed, if you know what i mean. There are occasions when we move staff from the Tacoma office to this office. In the event that such a thing happens, then you have the opportunity to be sent there to replace such staff. And we do that from time to time. I’m not sure when next we’ll do it. But whenever we do it, then you’ll have your chance. But for now, consider yourself as part of our sales team here, ok?” I nodded my head. “Ok,” i replied. With that, i walked dejectedly out of his office. This was an outright rejection, i said to myself as i descended the staircase on the way back to my office. I firmly resolved that i would not allow it to discourage me or dampen my enthusiasm.

Mr Greg Fowler had been our Sales Manager since I joined this software company. I don’t know for sure how long he had worked here, but I surely met him on the job. A man who looked to be in his early forties, he had brown hair, green eyes and a flat nose. He was not very tall, something like 5’8’. He was always impeccably dressed in a two piece suit, at least that is how he dressed whenever he came to the office . A very soft-spoken man, you would hardly ever hear him raise his voice. He was gentleness and humility personified. Which was why i was surprised at what looked like a complete rejection from him of my request. Though he tried to pacify me, making it look like it was still possible, i knew better. The only thing left for me now would be to manage my time as well as the distance between Tacoma and Seattle. Yep, i would have to be shuttling between the two cities especially when my Pack has any major activity that requires my presence. Of course, they would always need my presence. As an important would-be trainer of the Pack, i would require not to be far away from the Pack as much as possible. Thankfully, it takes only 1hr 35 minutes by bus between the two cities and I would have to use the bus often.

I was so much lost in my thoughts as i walked back to my office that i didn’t notice someone approaching directly from the other side of the passage. We almost bumped into each other before i realized it was Sophie, my colleague and fellow Sales Rep whom I share the same office with. “Oh, it’s you,” Sophie, I observed, “i almost bumped into you. I was almost lost in thought.” Sophie smiled, gave me a mild pat on the back and said, “I'm coming, Naomi, i want to use the toilet.” I nodded my head as i opened the door of our office and went in. Once inside, i plopped on my chair, rested my head on my table to give myself a few minutes to rest and have a very brief reflection until Sophie comes back into the office. Once she returned, I knew she would engage me immediately in conversation. I was in this resting position for quite a number of minutes when i heard the door open. I raised up my head and saw it was Sophie.

“You are back so quickly, Sophie?’ i asked. “Yep,” She replied. “Not too ideal to stay too long in those places,” She said. I nodded my head in perfect agreement. My friend Sophie was the only colleague whom i had told of my intention to seek a transfer to Tacoma, though i didn’t tell her the real reason why i wanted to make that move. Of course, i couldn’t tell her I’m a Wolf and i want to go and live among members of my Pack. So, i told her i wanted to stay close to my Aunty. Though that reason was not very convincing enough for her, she respected my wish and actually encouraged me to talk it over with the Sales Manager. I knew Sophie would ask me the outcome of my meeting with Mr Fowler as soon as she settled down on her desk. I guessed correctly. A few minutes after she had settled down, she spoke.

“What is the outcome of your meeting with the Sales Manager, if i may ask?” I cleared my throat. “It was not positive, my dear. He told me the staffs over there in Tacoma are doing a very good job so there would be no need to send any other staff there to complement their activities.” She looked down briefly, squeezed her nose and said, “With all due respect to Mr Fowler, i don’t think the fact that the existing staff over there doing a good job should prevent any other staff from joining them. I just don’t buy that argument if that is exactly what he said. What reason did you give him for wanting a transfer?” She asked. “Well, i told him i wanted to help them in the Tacoma office to become more productive and always achieve their sales targets.” Sophie stared at me, her mouth agape with her right hand placed on her head. “Wow, is that the reason you gave? That is a good reason enough for him to approve your transfer, my dear. I don’t know why he rejected it.” I raised my head up to look at her, wiping my mouth with my right hand. “I don’t know why, either and I’m not in a good position to speculate,” i said. “Maybe he doesn’t want to lose you now, seeing that you are one of the best sales representatives we have around here,” She replied. I blushed at the last statement she made. I never really did see myself as a good sales person, though i had been posting some impressive sales of recent and I’ve received commendations on a few occasions from the Sales manager. But coming from Sophie was heart-warming and I was happy at the compliment. “Thank you for the compliments, Sophie. I think i will accept his decision for now, though he gave a caveat.” Suddenly, her eyes brightened, and she leaned forward across her table. “What was the caveat he gave?” Sophie asked, looking at me so expectantly to hear what next i have to say. I cleared my throat. “He told me that the door is not totally closed to my request. He informed me that the office periodically transfers staff from Tacoma to Seattle and vice versa. He said such an opportunity might come up again soon and i would then have my wish. Don’t you know about this? Considering the fact that you’ve been working here before me?” I asked her. She smiled and nodded. “Yes, I’m aware that it does happen here, but i must confess to you that it is infrequent as far as i know. But he surely knows more than i do. Perhaps he is privy to some confidential information that there would be some transfers very soon.” I nodded in agreement. “Maybe,” I said. “So my dear,” Sophie continued, “you would have to be shuttling between Tacoma and here if you have any other compelling reasons why you should always be there. I’m afraid you have no other option for now. Thankfully, it takes only 25 minutes by Bus,” She reasoned. She was right. I could not agree more. “Thank you, Sophie,” i said. “That’s what i would have to do.” With that, we ended the discussion.

Earlier in the day, we had presented our weekly sales reports to the sales Manager. He had called each of us forward to present our reports by reading it out first before submitting it personally to him for perusal and rating. When it was my turn, i came forward and read my report, and after that, i submitted it to Mr Fowler with a bow. He received it with a smile, obviously impressed with my performance. After all the representatives had submitted their reports, he gave a short speech which i would consider a vote of thanks. He thanked us all for our efforts and said he looked forward to our next meeting. Soon after, we all dispersed to our various offices.

The rest of the working day was smooth. There were no untoward incidents. As soon as it was time to close, i took my bag and headed out of the office.