courtesy.
Sally held off from pushing any further, allowing Ev , who had been only a few steps behind his boss, to begin talking business to him. She turned her attention to Barnett's companion, a West Coast newspaper publisher's widow in her fifties named Babs McAuliffe who, according to Ev , was prominent in her own right, inhabiting the same elite business circle as Roderick. She was slim and attractive. Her eyes were no higher at the corners and her chin line clean; nothing appeared pulled back. It's a good job, Sally conceded, and wondered if men could spot surgery as easily as women or cared. One did not disregard a woman like that, Sally understood, nor did one flirt with her companion.
Greg arrived with Diane only a minute or two behind the others, which gave him a brief opportunity to study Barnett Roderick as they were being led to the table. The CEO was perhaps six foot one and still straight-backed and good-looking. His hair was dark with striations of gray at the temples and full for a man in his sixties. He carried himself with an authority that seemed as comfortable on him as his dark silk suit.
Roderick paid little attention to Greg until, during a lull in the conversation, he turned to him and said, "You seem to have come into the news department during a fortunate time."
Greg did not know whether Roderick meant that the point-plus rise in news ratings during the past year had resulted from luck or that Greg was lucky to be hired at a time when the pendulum was swinging back of its own accord or perhaps fortunate because Ev Carver had taken actions that had raised the ratings. All the possible meanings belittled Greg.
"I'd like to believe, Mr. Roderick, that I was instrumental in creating any good fortune our news broadcasts have had."
As if he had not heard the reply, Barnett turned back to Ev to continue their prior conversation.
Rather than being annoyed, Greg was impressed and somewhat amused by the older man's style. He never raised his voice or sounded less than gracious, yet his statements bore the force of a command and imparted a sense that not only would opposition bring a rebuke for disobedience but also a feeling of reproach for having behaved rudely. It’s his ball, Greg thought, and he’s just allowing the rest of us to play with it.
Greg glanced at Carver. Although more respectful than in his own lair, the station manager seemed not in the least submissive. He knows his worth, Greg gathered, and he wants Roderick to know it, too. Getting to watch these pros strut their stuff made the evening worthwhile.
Diane caught her father's eye. "Greg's news program is very good, Dad," she said. "I was watching it when he picked me up." She flicked a barely imperceptible smile at Greg, who guessed the remark was meant as repayment for her earlier rudeness.
"I hired Overmeyer -Hotchkiss to advise us," Ev told Roderick.
Greg was pleased when Roderick asked him, "They help?"
Not wanting to be caught between the two men, Greg allowed, "A few things to think about." He could not be sure whether the slight elevation of Barnett's eyebrow indicated amusement or skepticism.
When the entrées arrived, Barnett ceased to discuss FBS business and turned to include Babs in the conversation. Sally was used to the usual Hollywood gossip at dinner: who had just made what deal or bought which house for how much or visited whose bed. The network head and the newspaper publisher began to discuss acquaintances and political figures who were all rich or powerful, as far as Sally could guess. The used mostly first names, and she recognized few of them. She kept her smile at the ready in case Barnett Roderick glanced at her, but she knew better than to speak.
Dinner ended early. Outside, waiting for their cars, Barnett told the others that he and Babs were meeting friends.
"I hope I'll see you again soon. I really enjoyed it," Sally said to him too quickly after he had spoken, she realized.
"Keep an
Sally held off from pushing any further, allowing Ev , who had been only a few steps behind his boss, to begin talking business to him. She turned her attention to Barnett's companion, a West Coast newspaper publisher's widow in her fifties named Babs McAuliffe who, according to Ev , was prominent in her own right, inhabiting the same elite business circle as Roderick. She was slim and attractive. Her eyes were no higher at the corners and her chin line clean; nothing appeared pulled back. It's a good job, Sally conceded, and wondered if men could spot surgery as easily as women or cared. One did not disregard a woman like that, Sally understood, nor did one flirt with her companion.
Greg arrived with Diane only a minute or two behind the others, which gave him a brief opportunity to study Barnett Roderick as they were being led to the table. The CEO was perhaps six foot one and still straight-backed and good-looking. His hair was dark with striations of gray at the temples and full for a man in his sixties. He carried himself with an authority that seemed as comfortable on him as his dark silk suit.
Roderick paid little attention to Greg until, during a lull in the conversation, he turned to him and said, "You seem to have come into the news department during a fortunate time."
Greg did not know whether Roderick meant that the point-plus rise in news ratings during the past year had resulted from luck or that Greg was lucky to be hired at a time when the pendulum was swinging back of its own accord or perhaps fortunate because Ev Carver had taken actions that had raised the ratings. All the possible meanings belittled Greg.
"I'd like to believe, Mr. Roderick, that I was instrumental in creating any good fortune our news broadcasts have had."
As if he had not heard the reply, Barnett turned back to Ev to continue their prior conversation.
Rather than being annoyed, Greg was impressed and somewhat amused by the older man's style. He never raised his voice or sounded less than gracious, yet his statements bore the force of a command and imparted a sense that not only would opposition bring a rebuke for disobedience but also a feeling of reproach for having behaved rudely. It’s his ball, Greg thought, and he’s just allowing the rest of us to play with it.
Greg glanced at Carver. Although more respectful than in his own lair, the station manager seemed not in the least submissive. He knows his worth, Greg gathered, and he wants Roderick to know it, too. Getting to watch these pros strut their stuff made the evening worthwhile.
Diane caught her father's eye. "Greg's news program is very good, Dad," she said. "I was watching it when he picked me up." She flicked a barely imperceptible smile at Greg, who guessed the remark was meant as repayment for her earlier rudeness.
"I hired Overmeyer -Hotchkiss to advise us," Ev told Roderick.
Greg was pleased when Roderick asked him, "They help?"
Not wanting to be caught between the two men, Greg allowed, "A few things to think about." He could not be sure whether the slight elevation of Barnett's eyebrow indicated amusement or skepticism.
When the entrées arrived, Barnett ceased to discuss FBS business and turned to include Babs in the conversation. Sally was used to the usual Hollywood gossip at dinner: who had just made what deal or bought which house for how much or visited whose bed. The network head and the newspaper publisher began to discuss acquaintances and political figures who were all rich or powerful, as far as Sally could guess. The used mostly first names, and she recognized few of them. She kept her smile at the ready in case Barnett Roderick glanced at her, but she knew better than to speak.
Dinner ended early. Outside, waiting for their cars, Barnett told the others that he and Babs were meeting friends.
"I hope I'll see you again soon. I really enjoyed it," Sally said to him too quickly after he had spoken, she realized.
"Keep an
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