Date: 2007-09-30 21:03 Subject: Story Of The Month- 11 Security: Public

The second "All Hands On Deck" meeting was to begin, with Mr. Mann following the same pattern as the last "Golden Conclave", helping the visiting employees and assisting with various tasks. Dandi was no where to be seen, she had explained to Mr. Mann that morning about a few issues which needed to be dealt with behind the scenes. For the last several days Mr. Mann was feeling as if there were something missing between the two, a piece of a puzzle that would not turn up, no matter how hard he searched. Things had been going really well with Dandi, but several days ago she had become distant. Just a week before the couple was discussing the idea of her moving in to his condo since they were spending all of their free time together. Suddenly she became flooded with work at the office, and in turn, more distant. He didn’t want to believe she was hiding anything, and when questioned she was reassuring, but things were not going smoothly. He found work was picking up in his department of the Golden Building as well. Ms. Blishour had given him several new assignments that were impacting her workload as she became more and more unavailable. He assumed it would all lead up to this meeting, and things would calm down after the storm. After all, that’s what happened last time. When everyone was seated in the auditorium, Mr. Mann took a seat on the isle and hoped Dandi would be coming to sit with him. The lights dimmed and a multi-media presentation started.

A film began that showed the construction of the Golden Mammoth with an elapsed time segment, showing the building going up with sunsets and sunrises flashing in and out, the skies clearing and becoming overcast, and clouds moving along like a fast flowing river. It then cut to a scene which featured Chairman Goldeen shaking hands with foreign dignitaries, the men signing some agreement, while the others present began clapping and giving handshakes as well as the occasional pat on the back. Someone sat next to Mr. Mann very quietly. He looked over expecting to see Dandi, but it was Ms. Blishour. "Is this seat taken?" she asked.

"No, you're welcome to it. Who’s running the show in the projection room?" asked Mr. Mann.

"Oh, they can handle it from here. We’ve been through this a couple dozen times in rehearsal. If things go bad I’ll just run right back up. So what do you think? Pretty overwhelming isn’t it?"

Mr. Mann responded, "You mean the Golden Mammoth?" She nodded. "Yes, I suppose it is quite daunting. Just being in our own little building can be a lot to take. That thing is just hard to believe," he said.

"I know. Look, there’s more than just the size of the building. Things are going to get really overwhelming for all of us before you know it. I just want you to be prepared, O.k.? If you need anything you’ll let me know?" Ms. Blishour gave him a sincere smile and he nodded.

"I appreciate it, Ms. Blishour. This has been some year, and I don’t always know what’s going to happen around here, but I have always been able to count on you and Dandi. I’m actually feeling really great about this job, although it’s taken a bit more time to come into my own. I just feel things are going to be good here. I’ve gained so much more confidence in my abilities. I don’t mean to sound so corny, but this place has really given me perspective in so many areas of my life. I really cannot thank you enough."

Ms. Blishour smiled and then Mr. Mann noticed almost a look of sadness come over her and she looked away quickly. "Yes, I’m so glad you’re here Mr. Mann. You are my best employee, and a great friend; A great friend to both Dandi and Myself. That’s why it’s so hard for-"

A voice came over the loud speakers introducing Chairman Goldeen, and the crowd all stood and cheered as he walked out from the side of the stage to his place at the center behind the large podium. Ms. Blishour and Mr. Mann stood as well. He looked from Chairman Goldeen and back to Ms. Blishour, wondering what she was about say as he noticed tears streaming down her face. She looked directly ahead, avoiding any eye contact with Mr. Mann. Finally the audience quieted down and took their seats. Chairman Goldeen spoke. "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you so much for coming today. As you know, the media have taken on quite an interest in our little pet project on the other side of the world, and we’ve been proud to show off our greatest hope for the future of this company. Since our last meeting I’ve heard from a lot of you, and the prospect of starting something in our new location has sparked the creative streak in the both of us. I am excited about this stage in our success, so keep bringing those constructive ideas to the forefront! And now I’d like to have the department heads share their latest results."

For the next half hour several department managers discussed what each group was doing, while presenting awards to outstanding members. Although Mr. Mann could feel the air circulate above him, it seemed to become still all around, and he could feel the temperature slowly rise. He loosened his tie and adjusted his suit jacket. Ms. Blishour began to fan herself with a handkerchief and then realizing it was futile, put it away in her jacket pocket. She also loosened her suit jacket, but let the tie alone. After the awards were presented, Chairman Goldeen approached the podium again. He adjusted the microphone and made a comment to another board member seated on stage behind him, it was too faint for the microphone to pick it up, but anyone within earshot had laughed as he paused. "He is very charismatic," Mr. Mann thought to himself. The Chairman then turned to the audience and smiled, reaching into his jacket pocket and retrieved a pair of reading glasses. An assistant of the Chairman’s approached him with a leather folder setting it down on the podium. The Chairman thanked her as he opened the folder and produced several sheets of stationary from it, thumbing it to make sure all was in order. Clearing his throat the Chairman spoke, "We’re about to wrap things up here, but before I let you all go there’s one more piece of business to attend to this afternoon. As we’ve been discussing since the announcement of the Golden Mammoth, experienced personnel is a must at our new location. To coordinate all of the hiring and the transfers out of country I have appointed a new corporate resource manager who will be stationed overseas in the Golden Mammoth. Let me introduce you to her now. Many of you know her as Danielle Kane. Dandi, come on out here." A curtain moved and Dandi stepped forth towards the podium as the crowd gave a round of applause. Mr. Mann looked on in surprise as Dandi shook Chairman Goldeen’s hand. Blood rushed to his face and it felt warm. Looking over to Ms. Blishour, he could see her lip quivering as she took Mr. Mann’s hand into her own. "I didn’t know how close you two really were, Mr. Mann. I really didn’t want you to find out this way, but we were told this was to be held in confidence until after the meeting today. Dandi was reassigned to the Golden Mammoth just days ago. It was really quite unexpected, you see. When I told Dandi of the promotion she broke down and explained your relationship and how hard this would be on the both of you." Mr. Mann looked back to the stage. Dandi was now shaking hands with several board members as they congratulated her on this new position. He looked back to Ms. Blishour who was now squeezing his hand even harder. There were now tears swelling up in her eyes. "I feel like all of this is my fault. I was asked to release her as my personal assistant, but I probably could have said no. I just didn’t know Mr. Mann, I swear.

"Always the last to know," he thought as he dropped Ms. Blishour’s hand and slipped past her into the isle and up to the exit. He reached the middle of the hallway when a hand dropped onto his shoulder. It felt small and light, but was firm. He turned, expecting to see Dandi, but it was Ms. Blishour again. This time she spoke in a more firm voice as she dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, careful not to smudge any makeup. "Please, don’t make any rash decisions. I know this must be a shock, but I really need you here. You’re doing an excellent job and Dandi isn’t the only one leaving. I’m expecting you to help me pull up the slack. Don’t forget this all started with just you and I on a rainy day last year. I need you to help me." Ms. Blishour looked to Mr. Mann in a way he had never seen before. He wondered, was this all really her fault? Is she the reason the woman he loved was moving to the other side of the world? He couldn’t hate her, or even be angry with her. But he was leaving; this was too much for him.

"I need to go home, O.k.? I’ll call you in the morning. I just have to clear my head a little." Mr. Mann smiled at Ms. Blishour and made his way outside to the light rail station. It was just past noon and throngs of people traveled on the sidewalk along with him, some going the other direction; all were moving at a quick pace. It was lunch after all. All of these people would be filing back to work within the hour, and he would be slipping into his condo, wondering just what had happened to him. Naiveté surrounded him, making him feel as though he were an adolescent, and reminding him of the lessons from so long ago that should have prepared any young man for these affairs of the heart. Broken promises filled his mind, broken on both ends of relationships. Dating in high school felt so intense and could bring so much pain. Looking back he thought it all seemed silly now, but as he watched the buildings shrink and grow older the further he moved from town along the light rail train, he realized how those were the lessons that taught him what coping really meant. He recognized this pain. The faces at each stop were all different, but the patience they all held was not. He knew better though. How many of these people were in pain right now? Who is blissful? Which one has just found out their significant other is cheating on them, or which one has fallen out of love with another? Rain began to fall against the car window, smearing against the glass as the train began to pick up speed. His attention was now being drawn to the car itself.

Many of the riders were young business types as well, coming and going as each stop passed. One man adjusted a strap on his messenger bag, extending it so the bag would ride lower against his hip, reminiscent of a woman’s handbag. A teenage couple was canoodling at the front of the car under a sign explaining safety tips for riders. Mr. Mann assumed they must be skipping school. He remembered back, how as a junior he buckled down and never skipped school. He tried to be a good student and to show he was responsible. Then as a senior he rebelled and skipped the maximum days in one class. He barely got through that one. Of course he would write his own notes to go to the "doctor". He wouldn’t have skipped so much class if it weren’t for his high school sweetheart. It seemed not to matter as much any more. She was all he could think about at the time, and the time seemed to stand still. "Let’s just ditch class and go to the lake," she would say. They would drive all over the place. It just didn’t’ matter to him. None of it did, for a while anyway. And here were these two kids, acting in much the same way, just being everywhere with each other and having no care in the world. "Enjoy it," he whispered.

Mr. Mann exited several miles from home, deciding to walk the rest of the way. He was too worked up and needed to get out of that train, even with the rain. He removed his tie and folded it up, tucking it into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. Soft droplets of rain splashed his face, but he let them be, just in case they were needed to mask any tears. None came. The sidewalk was thinning out, with scattered pedestrians going to their destinations. Several people were standing under awnings to wait out the rain which seemed to be unpredictable. It may stop any moment or it could become a downpour, you just couldn’t tell. Several blocks later it seemed no closer to home and Mr. Mann began to get tired of his now rain-soaked clothing and shoes, so he decided to find somewhere to relax and dry out a bit. He was several miles out from the city and in between the handoff from urban to suburban. Mom and pop strip malls were splitting each set of houses, providing a diverse set of neighborhood restaurants and bars, dry cleaners and variety stores. One bar had a set of umbrellas with empty tables out front and a sign with the happy hour specials. Mr. Mann walked in to find several booths and tables were occupied at the end of the lunch hour, but most of the bar was open. The bartender, a young man with two full sleeves of tattoos approached Mr. Mann, drying a pint glass as Mr. Mann took a seat at the bar near the back of the room. "It’s just like a movie," Mr. Mann commented to the young bartender.

"I’d love to tell you I know what you’re talking about, but I’ve only been tending bar for six months. I’ll need a little more prompting to give you a decent response. What’ll you have?"

Mr. Mann pulled a wet handkerchief from his pocket and attempted to dry his face, only to find it was futile. The bartender handed him a few paper napkins and he then set a bowl of bar nuts in between them. "I’ll have the house whiskey, a double shot. I’ll take a draft as well." The bartender poured his drinks as Mr. Mann laid a slightly damp twenty on the bar next to the bowl of nuts. As Mr. Mann was served he held the whiskey up to the bartender and gave a nod as he drank it down in one gulp. It hit the back of his throat and the fire lit its way down into his belly as he laughed to himself inside. He always had an unexpected reaction to whiskey. He knew it burned, and he knew it was always going to be the same, but every time Mr. Mann would think that this was the one that would go down smoothly. It never happened, though. The bartender made change as Mr. Mann drank from his beer, its combination of bubbles and watery character (from the polar opposite whiskey) chased down the fiery embers below.

The bartender wiped the bar to the side of Mr. Mann and asked, "So, what about this ‘movie’?"

Smiling, Mr. Mann took another sip of beer and set it down on a napkin. "I guess it’s about everything. I find out my girl is moving to the other side of the world, then I walk home in the rain and stop here to get out of it. It’s kind of dark in here with the traditional long bar running the length of the building, with all of its bottles and glasses. Taking a seat I then look up to see you walking towards me with glass and towel in hand, and I just felt like Bogart. It’s fitting, really. Today is probably the most disappointing moment in my life right now, but seeing you cleaning that glass made me feel as if this is just a snapshot of some bigger thing that I can’t get my head around, like we’re in a movie of a guy who’s miserable, and it’s almost the end. Soon the house lights will come up and everyone will move out into the sunlight to go home and tell their friends not to waste their money on some trashy, Ben Affleck, B movie bullshit."