| |
Elizabeth Perkins only had one goal in life—to make partner at a prestigious law firm. After eight years of sixty-plus hour weeks, the blood and sweat finally paid off. She’d been tipped by a source that a meeting had been scheduled at the home office of Sheldon, Patterson, and Levine to announce the new partners.
Perkins pulled her eight-year-old Honda in front of a two-story white stucco building. The car had been a present from her late father after passing the bar exam. Although she could afford something more extravagant, the sentimental value was priceless.
Dark clouds reflected in the ocean blue floor-to-ceiling windows. The marquee read Sheldon, Patterson, & Levine, P.A. Attorneys at Law.
Perkins walked through a set of double doors that automatically opened. The foyer was a spacious lounge filled with couches, recliners, and cushioned chairs. Several flat-screen televisions played sports and movies at either end of the lobby. The place resembled a resort instead of a law firm.
As she approached the receptionist behind a large oval pine desk, a man in overalls accidentally dropped a metal bucket. White paint spilled onto the dark, marble floor. The man cursed at himself as the puddle continued to spread.
“Ms. Wilkes, will you keep people from stepping in this mess? I’ll be right back to clean it up.”
“Sure thing, Rodney.”
Rodney scurried off.
Perkins approached the counter, steering clear of the paint on the floor. She informed the receptionist of her meeting and was told to take the elevator to the second floor, then walk down the corridor to the last door on the right.
Perkins thanked her and left.
The frosted glass door was propped open when she arrived, and several dozen people were already inside the spacious office. Paul Sheldon, the lead partner of the firm sat behind a huge oak desk, his feet propped up on the corner, smoking a cigar. The smell was sweet, which Perkins welcomed. Sheldon nodded at her and she gave a small wave. She was finally going to become a partner. The excitement coursing through her veins was electric.
She started toward him, but he stood and made his way to his personal restroom.
Ted Nash, another partner walked over, and they embraced in a quick hug. The two had been intimate at one time, but now remained friends. He’d also been the one who informed her about the meeting today.
Everyone mingled about the room sipping brandy, wine, or champagne. Some ate hors d’oeuvres from silver platters.
No one seemed to be in a hurry to announce the new partners and Perkins was content. She simply enjoyed the moment thinking life couldn’t get any better. Her talents were finally being recognized and her dream would soon become a reality. She wished her father were here to share in her success.
A trim, good-looking man approached. “I’m Hunter Smith.”
She introduced herself and the two shook hands. “I’m making partner today,” Smith said.
“Me too.”
“Cheers,” he said. The two clanked glasses. Smith spilled some. “Sorry. I’m a klutz.”
“No worries. Could happen to anyone.”
“No. Just me. I stepped in some paint in the lobby on my way up. How’s that for luck. Good thing I’m an excellent litigator otherwise I’d be screwed.”
Perkins didn’t know what to say, so she remained quiet.
After an awkward silence Smith excused himself.
Perkins saw that Sheldon had returned. The man leaned against his desk and tapped a gold letter opener against a bottle of what appeared to be brandy. The conversations around the room ceased. He took another toke from his cigar then exhaled a puff of smoke.
“Thank you all for coming to this meeting.”
Someone in the crowd said, “We didn’t have a choice, Mr. Sheldon.”
There were a few chuckles.
“Announcing new partners is one of the best parts of my job. Each of you have achieved great things for us and we’re successful because of your talents.”
He studied the room. When his eyes fell on Perkins, the electricity flowing through her veins returned. She wanted to scream with joy, but she maintained her composure.
Sheldon took the bottle from his desk and poured a healthy dose into a snifter. “There are six of you in this room, each of you ready to take on the world. But we only have five spots open this year.”
Several people gasped. One of them had been Perkins. Surely, she’d be one of the five. She had to be.
“There are a number of ways we can do this. Draw straws. Pick a color. Play rock, paper, scissors.”
The last drew some laughs but Perkins didn’t find it funny. Nausea began to set in. She wanted to throw up.
“This year will be a bit different. The person who arrived last, will be the one who is kicked off the island.”
Everyone stared around the room trying to figure out who’d been the last to arrive. In fact, Perkins wondered if it had been her. She hadn’t noticed anyone entering after her, but she hadn’t paid any attention.
Sheldon sipped his brandy then stood atop of his desk. “I need the six nominees to step forward.”
A moment later, Perkins moved in line with four men and a woman.
Sheldon pointed with his stogy, nestled between his index and middle finger. “Who is the unlucky soul?” He smiled. The man clearly seemed to be enjoying this spectacle.
“Elizabeth Perkins, you are the last contestant. Thanks for playing. Better luck next year.”
Tears filled her eyes as the crowd laughed. Her dream had become a nightmare. The five others broke away receiving handshakes and pats on the back from everyone in the room.
Ted approached her and the two embraced.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “Guess I should have drove you. Then you wouldn’t have been last.”
She nodded. Then a thought occurred. “I wasn’t the last to arrive and I can prove it.”
How can Elizabeth Perkins prove she wasn’t the last to arrive?
Hint: Paint.
When Elizabeth Perkins arrived at the lobby, the man in the coveralls spilled paint on the floor.
Hunter Smith said he’d stepped in paint in the lobby. If this were true, he arrived after Perkins. But Paul Sheldon wouldn’t have noticed Smith’s late arrival, because he entered his personal restroom shortly after Perkins walked in.