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“Pleased to meet you, sir,” I say, quickly adding, “I’m sure your experience will be of great value in our review today.”
Nice one, Terence.
Mr. Townsend offers a half-smile, which I’m guessing from the lines on his face is the most smile he ever gives.
The tall and skinny girl stands next. “Veronica Jackson of Cobblestone Inc. We have been retained by Miss Chardonnay during the previous three quarters for whole-of-estate review.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise.” She doesn’t sound pleased to meet me at all.
The last woman stays seated. “Andrea Pinker. Futurist.”
A futurist? What on earth is a futurist? Best I just go along with it… “A futurist will be most essential as we review the results and my corresponding proposal.”
“Looking forward to it.”
Miss Chardonnay stands. “And now, ze floor ees yours, Monsieur Green.”
This is it. Deep breath and lay it on them.
“Let’s begin with the figure on page four.”
I take them through it all. The profit, the excess. The year-on-year growth, especially with the upcoming Global Great Dog Show that the Chateau Rose will be hosting. It’s likely to give a revenue bump thus far unseen to the Dog’s Paw.
Their heads nod. When I see their brows furrow, I dig deeper into the details to address their questions before they have a chance to ask them. The extra work I put in on Sunday is paying off.
“Let me pause here,” I say, “as I don’t want to segue into my proposal until you’re confident in my assessment thus far.”
Miss Chardonnay purses her lips and then raises her eyebrows to the others in the room. “It is for you to respond. That is why I’ve brought you here.”
The room sits in silence for a moment, and that anxiety that was lulling in the bottom of my stomach is turning into acid in my throat.
Miss Jackson stands up, her thick glasses preventing me from reading her expression.
“I came here with the intention of finding fault in your review.”
This is off to a good start.
“However, given the thoroughness you’ve presented, I have no choice but to concur with your results and perhaps even suggest to my boss that he review your report as an example of excellence that we should be putting in place at our firm.”
Yes! But I can’t let my excitement show. “I am humbled by your response.”
Mr. Townsend speaks from the chair. “Chardonnay. You know that I want the best for this business. What this young man has shared is comprehensive.”
“You must know, Mr. Townsend,” Miss Chardonnay adds, “that ze good news in his report is much thanks to ze financial leadership you gave when I was establishing ze Chateau Rose.”
“You’re too kind.” Mr. Townsend bows his head.
“Ms. Pinker?” Miss Chardonnay gestures for the futurist to speak.
She crosses her arms. “That’s where we’ve been. What I’m interested in is what this accountant has to say about where we’re going.”
She says accountant like it’s a dirty word.
I cough. Something is stuck in my throat. I cough again. Where’s my glass of water? I’m hacking like I just came out of a smokestack. Did a bird fly into my mouth? Where did that glass of water go?
“Monsieur Green? Are you all right?”
