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Friday’s appointment approached faster than expected. Sheryl wasn’t sure if it was spending time with Jayce or if it was the anticipated meeting that made the two weeks go fast. Sheryl drove an hour to get to her appointment. Sitting in the parking lot, she looked in the rearview mirror: ‘You got this!’ She stepped out of the car and received a text from Louise: So excited for you. Call me when it’s over.
[Sheryl] Will do.
Another text came in, from Jayce: Would like to take you out to celebrate.
[Sheryl] Would love it. Will call you when I’m done.
The building was in the business district and the traffic wasn’t that heavy. Sheryl arrived in the parking garage fifteen minutes ahead of schedule, just enough time to collect her thoughts. Wearing her navy-blue pants suit with matching pumps, salmon-colored camisole, and pearl necklace and earrings, she felt confident going into this meeting.
The five-story parking garage was easy to navigate, and she was lucky to find several empty spaces on the second floor. As she exited the opening onto the city streets, she was greeted by odors of exhaust from the cars, trucks, and city buses whizzing by in the early morning commute; the faint whistles and dings from the metro rail system; and pedestrians bustling about either going to work or returning home. Aromas of lox and bagels, gyros, breakfast sandwiches, and other delights from the nearby eateries mingling—traveling on the morning breeze, tempting the empty stomachs of onlookers.
Yes, Mathis held a different vibe from Crystal City. Crossing the intersection, Sheryl made her way through the crowds to reach the East Coast Productions Building. She entered the revolving doors into the downstairs lobby, full of sculptures and paintings, overstuffed leather chairs, and coffee table books on the couch stands. Sheryl’s steps blended into the sound of the clickety clack of the dress shoes and the light thumping of the slip resistant shoes of the parcel pick up and office supplies delivery men. Sheryl made her way over to the receptionist counter to find one who had just finished with a visitor, and she quickly stepped into place. She looked down and noticed a nameplate - Kent Jones.
“Excuse me, Kent, can you tell me which office is Mr. Ian Willams?”
“May I have your name?” Kent asked, wearing a lime green and gold logo on his black polo shirt.
“Yes, Sheryl McKenzie.”
“Yes, his office is expecting you. Mr. Willam’s office is located on the 12th floor,” Kent answered after consulting his clipboard. “Go down that hallway and the set of elevators will be on your right.”
“Thank you,” Sheryl responded with a quick nod and friendly smile.
As Sheryl walked down the hallway, the floor to ceiling windows were covered in dark solar film, allowing the office spaces to feel cool from the sun’s scorching summer rays, but open, and yet private enough to feel a part of the downtown street rhythm. Sheryl’s eyes drifted to notice the building directory, listing the studio, administration offices, executive offices, and other suites. Ian Williams, VP of Talent Management, 12th Floor, she mumbled as she headed towards the elevators.
Sheryl entered the darkly tinted, glass-enclosed elevator and pressed the button to the 12th Floor. She stared through the glass for an aerial view of downtown Mathis. This view was quite different from her office view in Crystal City. As she ascended, the business district came alive. Her eyes lifted from the bustling street view, buildings of various heights to the city skyline. Delivery trucks lined the city streets – food, office supplies, and parcel pickups.
At the end of several soft dings, people climbed on and off the elevator. It didn’t take long for the door to open onto Sheryl’s floor. A young man in his mid-20’s instantly greeted Sheryl as she stepped off the elevator.
“Ms. McKenzie, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Dexter, Mr. Williams’ assistant,” he said extending his hand to greet Sheryl. Dexter had a young face with short brown curly hair closely cut on the sides; he wore black dockers and a light green button up shirt and a lanyard with his photo ID.
“Nice to meet you, Dexter,” Sheryl replied while shaking his hand.
As they walked through a receptionist area, Sheryl’s eyes glanced at the artwork - pictures and sculptures on one side of the room and on the other were digital TV screens playing their shows. “If you will please follow me down the hallway to the boardroom,” Derek instructed.
As she followed her guide, Sheryl noticed the company’s colorful pictorial timeline starting from the founder, Stanley “Gus” Stevenson, and his biography and family’s legacy in the media starting in the newspaper business, the first radio programming in the 1930’s, television pilot shows, ribbon cutting of the building, and now current podcasts shows. The opposite wall was decorated with regional and national awards and recognitions for the last eight years.
Turning the left corner, Dexter slowly opened the boardroom double doors and directed Sheryl to the oak conference room table; the room reminded her of a faint scent of cigars and leather. He handed her a copy of the contract to review. Sheryl clicked her pen and started writing questions in the margins, she circled the start date, the salary, and time commitment.
“Can I offer you some coffee or water while we wait for Mr. Willams? He’s finishing up a phone call.”
“Yes. Coffee please. Two creams and two sugars,” Sheryl responded. He placed the cup of coffee on the table. “Thank you,” Sheryl responded and took a sip of coffee. Sheryl felt as though she was in a dream. Why does this feel so familiar?
Two minutes later, she was greeted by a 5’8”, bald man in his early 50’s, with an athletic build. His clean-shaven round face had small, fine wrinkles around his walnut-colored eyes. A small round mole tag rested under his right eye. Fletching grey hairs peeped out from his dark brown eyebrows. He sported a black suit with a white button-up shirt, and black and emerald, green striped tie. His suit was complemented by his Aston Martin Green gold watch on his left wrist. Ian Williams, a native of Greenwich Village Park in the neighboring state, and now a local resident of Mathis, walked through the doorway. Derek followed behind him and sat across from Sheryl to take notes and answer any questions she may have about her consultant position.
“It’s so great to finally meet you, Sheryl,” Ian greeted her with a firm handshake and a welcoming smile as Sheryl attempted to stand. “Please no need to stand. I’m going to grab a cup of coffee. Can I get you a refill? Derek, do you want some coffee?”
“Yes, thank you,” Sheryl and Derek responded simultaneously. Sheryl placed her pen down on her notepad, feeling her thoughts ease as she prepared to engage in the conversation.
Ian placed the three cups of coffee and a small metal basket of sugar packets and cream onto a serving tray and walked towards the table. “So, I see you started reviewing the contract,” Ian stated after sitting down at the head of the table and taking a small sip of his black coffee.
“Yes, I understand the concept of the show, but I wanted to ask, as a consultant do I have the liberty to invite guests, or do you already have a list?” Sheryl asked, intrigued by this opportunity.
“That’s a good question. As a company we are always looking for ways to expand our brand and increase our market share,” Ian responded, leaning in, and continued. “So, yes and yes. We are very much open to your suggestions, and we also have a list. I’m looking forward to working with you on this project, and hearing your ideas,” Ian concluded.
A smile started to form across Sheryl’s face as her mind was actively listing potential guests for the show – starting with her recruiters and, possibly, Jayce.
The meeting with Ian lasted an hour, she was given a tour of the studio, and met with the staff. Sheryl took the elevator down, left the building, and entered the parking garage. She rehearsed what she would say at the board meeting when she informs them that she would be resigning at the end of the year, or give them an option of hiring her part time or as a consultant with them as well. This newest programming initiative, taking the online version to a tv show segment would give her more than what she was paid at her job, and it was three days out of the week, which gave her more time to spend with her kids.
As soon as she closed the car door, she called Louise who answered right away. “So, how did it go?” Louise asked excitedly.
“Well, let’s say that I have more flexibility with my schedule and more money,” Sheryl responded with a huge grin on her face. “It’s like things happened so quickly.”
“Well, not quickly. You have been taking the steps to get to this place. It’s like you’ve been living it. Didn’t you tell me that your vision statement was starting to feel real?”
“Yes, that’s it! I have seen this building, boardroom, and this job in my mind. Everything I wrote down in my journal. It aligns with my passion and more.”
“Good! And Jayce?” Louise inquired in a whimsical voice.
“As a matter of fact, things are going great with Jayce. We are going out tonight to celebrate. It feels great. I can finally say those three words.”
“I love you?”
“No. Love lifted me.”
