LJ Idol Season 8: Week 36; Pinnacle

Working my whole life with one goal in mind, the corner office. Day in and day out, my youth was wasted on making profits for a corporate entity that assigned me a number and forgot my name.

I gave them my youth, I gave them every waking hour of my days. All for what? A few windows in an office with a door that let me shut the minions away when I didn’t want to deal with them. I could ignore their problems and shove work down their throats until they couldn’t take it anymore. Then I’d tell them to show me how badly they wanted my job because they’d better work harder, and find a way to prove it to me. They needed to pay their dues. They needed to trade their youth just like I had to get this corner office with a view of the parking lot full of BMW’s that all looked the same.

I'd traded being able to go home at night and leave the work behind for a life spent on call for 24 hours a day. As I slept at night, my phone pinged with new emails full of messages from vendors in Taiwan and other far off places I would love to visit but likely never would.

One day. When I had time. Would I ever have the time? I always had quotas to meet and sales pitches to make, as well as meetings that couldn’t run without me. I'd worked away my youth to only have more work be piled on me. At least I had the office with windows where I could watch the people below living their lives, knowing I was more important in my tower made of glass and steel.

I used to dream of being something better. Something more than a number or an office.

But with my title came more work, more obligations and a corner office that stood for nothing more than a life wasted to make other people rich. My dreams were filled with nightmares of declining profits, of pink slips of paper which would define my fate, define me as a person.

It finally happened. A note on my desk, my managers hadn’t even cared enough to hand deliver it.

I cried, heaving sobs that filled my corner office as I gathered my things, including the awards I had earned through the years. My "Congratulations on 25 years” plaque would soon be replaced by a recent degree from Harvard or Yale. My years of service and dedication... Wasted. My youth... Gone.

Walking to my car, I saw a newspaper stand. I quickly grabbed a copy. I needed to start looking for more work soon, with my advanced skill... It should be easy. I can sell anyone anything. But my advanced age? That was another story. Sitting on a bench nearby, I perused the Help Wanted ads

I noted positions for dishwashers, cooks, nurses and a few manual laborers. At last, I spotted something. I circled the ad. With a good feeling in the pit of my belly, I walked back toward my car, intent to make something happen with the rest of my life no matter what


**********


"Welcome to Belial Enterprises. It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m Lucie Belial, owner and CEO.” Her eyes were dark brown, almost black which contrasted with her brilliant red hair that appeared nothing but natural.

She looked really young for a CEO. A woman who couldn’t be over 35 years old. I wondered how she managed to build such a powerful business at her age. Perhaps her father had started the company?

"Oh Mr. Dominguez, one thing I should mention. While I may look young and pretty, I’m a ruthless businessperson at heart. Don’t you forget that.” She leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers with a cat-like grin on her face. She exuded a raw power I simply couldn’t define.

I blinked, my mouth fell to the floor. It was as if she could read my mind.
"I do apologize, it just comes up a lot.” She smiled, and the feeling in the room suddenly seemed lighter. Before I’d had a chance to apologize for the thoughts I hadn’t even voiced, she swiftly started in with the interview questions.

"I will need a sharp salesman, someone who’s willing to fight for his job and for his company. And most notably... For me.” Her voice held a hint of an accent I couldn’t place.

"I’m nothing, if not loyal. Ambitious without being overbearing. And I always put my company before personal interests.” I sighed inwardly, it’s the same line I'd been selling myself with for decades.

"Yes... I can see that... Working for the big tobacco companies for 25 years, you certainly are a ruthless sort, aren’t you?” A hint of sarcasm colored her words.

I wasn’t sure if I should take that as a compliment or not. Her smile told me I should appreciate it though, "Thank you.”

"I have to ask, are you willing to take orders from a woman? Because I must say, I’m not going anywhere. Too many men come in here thinking they are entitled to rule my enterprise.” Her eyes met mine and for a moment, they looked pure black and ice cold, “And let me tell you, Mr. Dominguez, I eat their hearts out.”

How else could I respond to that? The words found their way out of my mouth, my desperation likely showing upon my face. "No, Miss Belial... I have no problem letting you have all the control. I’m here to serve in anyway I can.”

"Good. Just what I like to hear.” She closed my file and her eyes returned to normal, her smile nothing but warmth, "You start Monday.”


*********


Work started simply enough. A few deals to close, with Miss Belial overseeing my work until she trusted me enough to go out on my own. It was my job to find creative ways to reel in the clients. In some cases, my door-to-door tactics worked, but sometimes I needed to employ more unusual methods.

Children were the easiest, it was literally like stealing candy from a baby. Their young minds were vulnerable to my sales tactics, and most of the little brats were ready and willing to tell me their wishes and what they wanted most in life. The hard part was getting around the parents who always eyed me with suspicion, chasing me off if I came nosing around near their children with too many questions.

I couldn’t blame them. An older man dressed in a suit and tie, discussing business transactions with kids was strange to say the least. I had to utilize more creative methods, and Miss Belial seemed pleased with my results.

The older folks were almost as easy. Older and wiser, yes... But always looking back at their life and wondering “What if...” If I knew exactly what it was they were missing in their youth, I could offer it to them at whatever price they were able to afford. Dangle it in front of them and offer opportunities they never had before... And the deal was done.

I came in knowing how to read people, knowing what they needed and wanted out of a deal just by their facial expressions and how they responded. With the tools I was given by Belial Enterprises, I could take that to new heights. It never ceased to amaze me what I could do in this job. For a price, I had the power to make people’s dreams and nightmares come true.

Before long, the old sense of wanting overcame me. I wanted to be more than this office, I wanted more out of my job than just putting in the hours for someone else to become rich.

I wanted to be at the top and the only thing standing in my way was my boss, the woman who I admired and learned from, but who also made me do all the dirty work for her while profiting from the fruits of my labor.

I soon became unsatisifed with her praise for a job well done. I wanted, no I needed more.

I no longer wanted to be the devil’s advocate, I wanted to be the devil myself.



(This is the first of six entries I am posting for week 36 of therealljidol. The stories will have a connecting theme, however all but one can be read independently from the others. Thank you for reading!)