“While he’s searching for
words, perhaps we could have some, Miss Bartlett. I was most
intrigued by some of your propositions when we last spoke, and my own
nonprofit is looking to revamp our ad campaign strategy, perhaps you
and your company…”
She guided me away, still expounding on
her plans, leaving the Douchebros with mouths agape.
Victory was sweet.
#
An hour later, I was on top of the
world. Ms. Standish had all but signed a contract after our
conversation, and now Hunter was about to take the stage and
officially introduce the real reason we were all gathered here today.
I was going to enjoy this much more than the original plan where
Chuck did the introductory remarks; in addition to having a boatload
less charisma, he also was significantly less easy on the eyes.
“Ladies and gentlemen, honored
guests.” The microphone made Hunter’s sweet molasses
voice boom across to us over the still night air. “It is my
honor to present to you the first page of the first chapter of this
company. Normally, when people say something needs no introduction,
they use that as an excuse to go on introducing it for forty
minutes.”
Polite chuckles drifted across the
grounds.
“But when I say that this piece
needs no introduction—” Somehow, in that huge crowd,
Hunter’s eyes found mine, and held them. “I mean it. Ladies and gentlemen, just watch the damn film.”
Genuine laughter this time, quickly
hushed as the audience turned their attentive gazing to the wide
screen behind him. I gazed too, somehow certain that between the last
time I had viewed the reel and now, some terrible flaw had crept in.
It opened with the shot of a sun
rising, the grizzled voice of an old man saying, “First time I
drank Knox bourbon? Well, I reckon they don’t make history
books go back that far. But damn me if that taste ain’t the
same…goes down smooth, like the tears of an angel…”
And then I knew it would be just
perfect.
#
The crowd applauded heavily at the
film’s conclusion, and I scanned them quickly, looking for
allies and enemies. The Douchebros were the only ones not applauding
at all, but besides them I’d estimate at least eighty percent
of the audience was enthusiastic in their response.
We’d done it. We’d really
done it. We’d shown everyone what we could do.
“Thank you!” Hunter called
out over the cheers. “Thank you, everyone, for that wonderful
show of support. Of course, I couldn’t have done it without
Allison Bartlett, a vital proponent of this new branding strategy and
an advertising genius!”
Had I thought I felt good before? It
was nothing compared to how good I felt now.
I flashed a smile up at him and kept
scanning the crowd. Happy face, happy face, intrigued face, intrigued
happy face, concern—concern?
My stomach dropped.
Oh no.
The concerned face belonged to a board
member. And it was right next to a lot of other concerned faces that
also belonged to, you guessed it: board members.
The group was clumped around Ms.
Standish who I had been talking to earlier. I couldn’t hear
what they were saying; even if it hadn’t been so loud, it
looked like they were whispering. Their gestures were urgent but
abbreviated, as if they were trying to keep them from being seen.
I started to make my way casually over,
intending to accidentally-on-purpose interrupt their cabal, but
before I was halfway there they broke apart and tromped over to the
stage, clumping once again around Hunter.
I gave up all pretense of being casual
and increased my speed, trotting over just in time to hear, “We
need to talk to you inside, Mr. Knox.”
“I’m coming too!” I
threw in.
Several of the board members started,
not having seen me, but Ms. Standish just surveyed me and then nodded
shrewdly. “I think that’d be best.”
I followed them inside, wishing I could
take Hunter’s hand for comfort.
What the hell was going on?
#
Chuck.
That goddamn motherfucker
words, perhaps we could have some, Miss Bartlett. I was most
intrigued by some of your propositions when we last spoke, and my own
nonprofit is looking to revamp our ad campaign strategy, perhaps you
and your company…”
She guided me away, still expounding on
her plans, leaving the Douchebros with mouths agape.
Victory was sweet.
#
An hour later, I was on top of the
world. Ms. Standish had all but signed a contract after our
conversation, and now Hunter was about to take the stage and
officially introduce the real reason we were all gathered here today.
I was going to enjoy this much more than the original plan where
Chuck did the introductory remarks; in addition to having a boatload
less charisma, he also was significantly less easy on the eyes.
“Ladies and gentlemen, honored
guests.” The microphone made Hunter’s sweet molasses
voice boom across to us over the still night air. “It is my
honor to present to you the first page of the first chapter of this
company. Normally, when people say something needs no introduction,
they use that as an excuse to go on introducing it for forty
minutes.”
Polite chuckles drifted across the
grounds.
“But when I say that this piece
needs no introduction—” Somehow, in that huge crowd,
Hunter’s eyes found mine, and held them. “I mean it. Ladies and gentlemen, just watch the damn film.”
Genuine laughter this time, quickly
hushed as the audience turned their attentive gazing to the wide
screen behind him. I gazed too, somehow certain that between the last
time I had viewed the reel and now, some terrible flaw had crept in.
It opened with the shot of a sun
rising, the grizzled voice of an old man saying, “First time I
drank Knox bourbon? Well, I reckon they don’t make history
books go back that far. But damn me if that taste ain’t the
same…goes down smooth, like the tears of an angel…”
And then I knew it would be just
perfect.
#
The crowd applauded heavily at the
film’s conclusion, and I scanned them quickly, looking for
allies and enemies. The Douchebros were the only ones not applauding
at all, but besides them I’d estimate at least eighty percent
of the audience was enthusiastic in their response.
We’d done it. We’d really
done it. We’d shown everyone what we could do.
“Thank you!” Hunter called
out over the cheers. “Thank you, everyone, for that wonderful
show of support. Of course, I couldn’t have done it without
Allison Bartlett, a vital proponent of this new branding strategy and
an advertising genius!”
Had I thought I felt good before? It
was nothing compared to how good I felt now.
I flashed a smile up at him and kept
scanning the crowd. Happy face, happy face, intrigued face, intrigued
happy face, concern—concern?
My stomach dropped.
Oh no.
The concerned face belonged to a board
member. And it was right next to a lot of other concerned faces that
also belonged to, you guessed it: board members.
The group was clumped around Ms.
Standish who I had been talking to earlier. I couldn’t hear
what they were saying; even if it hadn’t been so loud, it
looked like they were whispering. Their gestures were urgent but
abbreviated, as if they were trying to keep them from being seen.
I started to make my way casually over,
intending to accidentally-on-purpose interrupt their cabal, but
before I was halfway there they broke apart and tromped over to the
stage, clumping once again around Hunter.
I gave up all pretense of being casual
and increased my speed, trotting over just in time to hear, “We
need to talk to you inside, Mr. Knox.”
“I’m coming too!” I
threw in.
Several of the board members started,
not having seen me, but Ms. Standish just surveyed me and then nodded
shrewdly. “I think that’d be best.”
I followed them inside, wishing I could
take Hunter’s hand for comfort.
What the hell was going on?
#
Chuck.
That goddamn motherfucker
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