Page 1 of Nothing to This
ONE
Spotlight Solutions had employed her for seven years.Seven years.Damn, that sounded like a lot.More than a lifetime for some people.And it had gone by fast.
Rylee Hampton, Creative Consultant.Did that sound sufficient for seven years of graft?Working in the marketing department, as part of a large team, most of her time was spent sketching other people’s ideas.Her job was her job, not the be-all and end-all, but there was such a thing as professional pride.She didn’t want to be fired.Yet she could be facing exactly that, her and every other employee.
Being the end of the day, everyone was ready to go home, her included.They’d been ready until, less than an hour ago, an unexpected email hit the department’s inbox, scuppering any chance of getting out on time.The message summoned an array of employees to the biggest conference space on the first floor.Usually reserved for product launches, corporate events, or visiting speakers, it rarely got aired out.If the three hundred or so other people in the room were an accurate indication, other departments had got the same message at the last minute as well.
What was the impromptu meeting about?God knew.Couldn’t be anything good.Still, she wasn’t worried.Nope.Why would she be?The corporation’s competent infrastructure had undergone a couple of facelifts throughout her tour.So far, she’d survived the layoffs.Loyalty bought her consideration, didn’t it?
Rumors persisted about the direction of the company, more so recently, but she’d switched off to them.Without a reliable link to anyone close to the top, it was impossible to figure out what was truth and what was fiction.Theories changed, becoming more embellished every week.The tide always rose.In time, it would fall again.Riding the Spotlight rapids was part of everyday life.
Others weren’t so apathetic.Her marketing colleagues’ mumbles and the rumble of surrounding conversation conveyed confusion and intrigue.The crowd was alive with questions and speculation.When was the last time she’d been in that room?The Christmas party?Maybe the mock expo.Damn, she wanted to go home, but there they were, waiting for the CEO to show up for an unknown reason.
There had to be some big announcement.Had to be.That would explain bringing so many people together and keeping the gathering hush-hush until the eleventh hour.The raucous conversation continued as groups predicted what might happen on the dais at the head of the room.
People loved to gossip, yes, but there was a thread of fear in the swirling excitement.In the current economic climate, everyone wanted to hold on to their jobs.Didn’t everyone always want to hold on to their jobs?Big changes could mean big cuts.Redundancies, budgets, departments were already stretched thin.
Nichelle leaned in at her side to whisper, “Here comes Ted.”
Their CEO.The sooner he got started, the closer she’d be to home.
Of her marketing colleagues, Nichelle was the closest thing she had to a friend.Though, in truth, her life outside of work was more important than her job.A social life, being “in” with her colleagues, was unimportant; she wasn’t particularly close to any of them.
Polite and civil, she didn’t have deep relationships at Spotlight.She kept her head down, did her job, and went home to the life that she loved.
From behind the dais, Ted ascended the stairs to the prominent spot at the central podium.Other members of the board shuffled onto the stage behind him.
Showtime.
“Everyone!”Ted called.“Please settle down!”
Always jovial with a smile on his face, Ted was a good boss, though not the smartest of businessmen.Word among employees implied he was understanding and generous.He didn’t have the cutthroat spirit needed to close the deals that would ensure the corporation’s, thus the employees’, futures.Which was better?A superior who listened in the short term or one focused on the bigger picture?
She’d only met the man once, at a function in that very room.They’d spoken for a second.He wouldn’t remember her, but she’d got a good sense from him, a good energy.
Ted tapped the microphone as the room quieted and the board seated themselves.
“Thank you, all, for coming today,” Ted said, setting his hands on the podium.“I know this is spur-of-the-moment; you have jobs or homes you want to get to.It’s been a long day, so I’ll make this brief.I’m sure many of you have heard the rumors about Spotlight Solutions and our financial troubles.”
Redundancies.
Budget cuts.
The words rattled in her head.
So much for not being worried.
Tension gripped the room.It clenched her guts too.If this news related to downsizing, she could be in big trouble.Her four-bedroom apartment was already more than she should be able to afford.
“Oh God,” Nichelle said and took her hand, eyes locked on the stage.
“Please nobody panic,” Ted said and widened his grin.“We’ve been in secret negotiations for some time now and finally the day has come to say we have been rescued.”The room relaxed somewhat, but still held its breath.“Spotlight Solutions has been purchased.I know it’s unexpected, but the buyout secures everyone’s jobs and our future projects.”The room applauded.Ted held up his hands.“Please, save your applause for our savior, Mr.Jamison Dawes!”
Impact.Like a Mack truck.
What did he just say?
No.It couldn’t be.
