Katie and her two bosses 029

Katie and her two bosses 029
Katie throws me a look.
“All right, all right, I'm sorry,” I concede. “Look, it's going to be all right, Tyler.”
“No, no it's not. I fucked everything up, man,” he growls.
“You? If anyone should be blamed, it should be me for letting the software go to market with bugs in it,” I say, shaking my head in frustration with myself. “But really, let's try not to put the blame on anyone.”
“It's all over. You're right, Austin, I'm a failure and we're going to lose the company,” Tyler says. “And I'm afraid I'm going to lose you too, Katie.”
“What?” Katie asks, surprised. “Why on earth would you think that?”
“Because I'm a fuck-up. Why would you want to be with someone like me?”
“Because I really care about you, Tyler,” Katie says, squeezing his arm. “Of course I'm not going to leave you!”
“Really?”
“Really. It's going to take a lot more than some snags with the investors to make me walk out on us,” she assures him.
He burrows his head into her arms and I have to fight back a smile.
“Wow, Tyler, I have to say I'm impressed with your new-found concern for the company – and this new sensitive side,” I say, clearing my throat and feeling a little awkward. “But don't fret. We may have found a way to get out of this mess after all.”
He turns on his heels to face me again. “Oh yeah? Shit, you should've told me before I went all dramatic there!”
“And miss that performance? How could I?” I smile.
Katie rolls her eyes. “So, moving on...”
“We have a potential new investor,” I blurt out. “One Jack Brice. He's expressed his interest in the company.”
“Really? Why now? Doesn't he know about our ruined reputation with the software failures?” Tyler asks.
“Yeah, he knows all about it. This is what he specializes in – coming in when businesses are in trouble and helping to turn them around by changing things up. And making a lot of profit.”
“Isn't that kind of like profiteering?” Tyler asks.
“Yeah, the dude's kind of a scumbag, and he apparently is very demanding and difficult to work with. But we don't have a lot of other options right now. He's helped other companies in times of need.”
“Hell, we can deal with a scumbag if he can save the company,” Tyler says, perking up. “Yes! We are back in business!” He holds up his hand to me in a high five.
“Not so fast. Save your high fives for when he signs on,” I say, sighing. “He's only expressed interest.”
“Right,” Tyler says, worry crawling over his face again. “So what do we have to do now?”
“Woo him. Convince him that this is the kind of place where he wants to put his money. Give him a tour of the office, show him the new apps the developers are working on. Most of all, paint a picture of a really united, on-point office environment. Show him that we're all about hard work and team spirit, that we're a well-oiled machine, all working together to churn out quality products. That our little slip-up was just a one-time thing, never to happen again.”
“All right, that shouldn't be too hard, because it's all true,” Tyler says. “We'll just have to brief the team leaders about what talking points to emphasize, right?”
“Exactly,” I say. “Make sure we're all on the same page.”
“Is that going to be enough?” Katie asks. “I mean, what is this guy really about? We need to know how his mind works so that we can cater to him.”
I look at Tyler and smile. “Isn't she amazing?”
He nods enthusiastically, in agreement.
“You're brilliant,” I say to her. “And that's exactly right. I've been talking to a buddy of mine in Sacramento who worked with this guy. Turns out Mr. Brice is very up-to-date with technology but totally out of touch with modern culture. He's old-school, traditional, and hates what he considers the modern loss of social values.”
“Sounds like a stick in the mud,” Tyler says.
“Yeah, pretty much,” I say. “I'm guessing he feels left behind by a lot of social change and prefers the old way of doing things. And from what I hear, he's a real sexist pig.”
“Ugh,” Katie groans. “Keep me away from him.”
“Well,” I begin delicately. “I was hoping you would make an appearance. A very important appearance.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Well, my buddy says he has a thing for hot young assistants serving coffee...”
“What?! That's not my job. I'm not a secretary from the 1960s.”
“I know, I know, but just this once?” I almost beg. “And... could you maybe do it in a sexy outfit?”
Now she looks offended. “Are you serious, Austin Murphy? You want me to objectify myself for some chauvinist pig?”
“Just a little?” I cringe, knowing that I'm asking a lot of her. “Not that nightie we gave you, of course, but maybe just wear a skirt a little shorter than usual, and heels a little taller?”
“It might be hard for us to concentrate on the meeting,” Tyler says, amused.
“It might be hard for me not to spill hot coffee on all of you,” Katie retorts.
“I know this is asking a lot,” I say.
She gives me a look.
“All right, it's asking too much, you're right,” I agree. “But it may just be the thing to push him over the edge and sign on the dotted line, you know? He's this sleazy old-school type who can't resist a hot young thing like you. I know it's horribly objectifying, but would you take one for the team? Just this once?”
Katie sighs, sending the strand of hair hanging in her face flying. “I guess. Just this once will I do it, though. God, I can't believe I'm actually agreeing to this debacle.”
“You're the best,” I say, squeezing her and lifting her off the ground a bit, to which she responds with a delightful little squeal. “We owe you big-time.”
“Yes, you do,” she smiles. “We can talk about that later.”
“Well, I hope this all works,” Tyler says.
“I do, too,” I say, exchanging a nervous glance with him. Looking at Katie, I smile and try to convey optimism. “It will work. It has to.”