| |
Vincent inhaled deeply as the crisp morning air shot into his nostrils, filling his lungs. He slowly exhaled while walking into the prestigious Goldman’s building, and mentally prepared himself for the tedious day that lay ahead. He made his way to the elevator and pushed the Up button. A moment later, the doors whisked open, and he entered. There were five other people aboard. He gave a courteous head nod, which for the most part went ignored by the people who were lost in their own world. He pressed fourteen, and then stood motionless.
Vincent had been on this elevator more times than he could count, and the awkward feeling never failed to present itself during the brief ride.
Everyone stood in an uncomfortable silence like horses in a starting gate, anticipating the opening of the door, so they can speed to their destination. Once the elevator reached the fourteenth floor, it issued a light chime, and the door opened smoothly. Just like the others, Vincent scurried off.
With one hand clutching his black, leather Marc Jacobs briefcase, he used his free hand to unbutton his wool pea coat, maintaining his stride. He shared curt greetings with those he passed en route to his office. Once there, he unlocked his door and entered, placing his briefcase on his desk and hanging his coat on the standing rack, and then took a seat behind his desk. Before he had a chance to turn his computer on, there was a knock at his door. “Come in!”
Vincent’s secretary, Marylin, walked in carrying a steaming cup of coffee, placing it next to him. Marylin was forty three years old, with a light tan, and sandy brown hair. She had hazel brown eyes that were filled with expression, high cheek bones and an admirable body that she dedicated one hour a day in the gym. She stopped aging ten years ago. “Good morning, Vincent.”
“Good morning, Marylin. Thanks for the coffee.”
“Don’t thank me just yet. I may have to make you a fresh cup. Jack just called. He asked me to make sure that you go to see him as soon as you step in. He said it’s urgent.”
“Have you noticed that everything around here is urgent?”
“Yeah, everything except a pay raise,” Marylin responded lightheartedly, and then left.
Vincent got up to leave, but before exiting, he retrieved his cell phone from his coat to take with him. Once again, he boarded the elevator and was struck with the same cumbersome feeling being cast off by a different group of people. Like them, he had become preoccupied in his thoughts.
Since the encounter at the black tie event, their conversations had become limited. Vincent understood that Jack held the power, and a wrong move on his end, or a simple decision by Jack, could derail his future at Goldman’s. Therefore, he had begun to prepare for the worst, and walked lightly in the process.
The elevator came to a rest on the twentieth floor where Jack’s office was located. He was greeted in the reception area by Lois, Jack’s secretary. “Good morning, Vincent. Jack is in his office. He’s expecting you.”
“Thank you.” Vincent casually made his way to the large mahogany wood door and knocked.
“Come in, Vincent.” The barrier muffled Jack’s voice to a barely perceivable sound.
Vincent walked in and saw Jack in a tailored gray suit sitting behind his large and unquestionably expensive polished mahogany desk. His piercing eyes settled on Vincent, never wandering away as he neared. “Have a seat.” Vincent sat down in a leather chair in front of his boss. “I would like to ask you a few questions.”
“Go right ahead, sir.” Vincent felt like he was back in college having an uneasy conversation with the dean, as butterflies churned in his stomach.
“Do you like your position here at Goldman’s?”
“Yes, sir. This has been my dream since high school.”
“There’s no question that you have a knack for what you do, but I’ll be honest with you. Everyone who works in this building has talent. Relying solely on your skills set can only get you so far. Is your ultimate goal to ascend the ladder, or are you satisfied with remaining complacent?”
Vincent shifted slightly in his seat. “Of course, I would love a higher position.”
“Well, that can only be done if you have the backing by the right people...people like me. And, in order for me to make that recommendation, I have to feel confident that your ultimate goal is to make sure that this company continues it’s legacy of being profitable. You must understand that the position you attain will come as a result of the role you play.” Jack’s words trailed off into silence. He wanted to be sure that Vincent digested them completely before he continued. “Are you ready to play a more pivotal role here at Goldman’s?”
“Sure.”
“Fine. Here’s your first task. I want you to sell eighty percent of the company’s shares of Schumblinger.”
Vincent was very familiar with Schumblinger. It was an oil company that had been receiving a lot of attention over the past few weeks. “But Jack, why would you sell eighty percent of those shares? Schumblinger is preparing to merge with oil field equipment maker, Carmen, in a deal that’s valued at eleven point six billion dollars. This will make them the world’s largest oil field company. The Schumblinger shares jumped forty two percent at the news that both companies approved the deal. The shares are going to rise another thirty-four percent, at minimum, before the close of the day.”
“No, Vincent. As of right now, those shares are valued at fifty nine dollars and ninety three cents. By the end of closing, I’ll be surprised if they’re worth eight dollars.”
“With all due respect, Jack, what you’re saying doesn’t make sense. Goldman’s will make millions of dollars because of this merger.”
Jack leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on the desk and interlocking his fingers. “Listen to me, son. The board of both companies did approve the deal, but the transaction is still subject to Carmen shareholders’ approval, and regulatory approval. There will be a meeting today and by the end of this evening it will be announced that the deal did not go through.”
“How could you be certain that this will happen?”
“Maybe one day you will work yourself up to my position and you will align yourself with allies as I have.” Jack leaned back in his chair. “For your work, I will issue you a two hundred thousand dollar bonus and approve a ten percent annual raise.”
“Is this the same way you lured Marty Frankel into destroying his career?” Vincent asked, locking eyes with Jack.
“What in the hell are you talking about?”
“This is insider trading and you know it. You also know that I’m cleared to trade those stocks, so if the shit hits the fan it’ll blow in my face while you stay squeaky clean!”
“Let me tell you something, asshole,” Jack’s voice boomed like a father when scolding his son. “Marty made the decision that destroyed his career. He began as a team player, then during the middle of the game he wanted to change the rules to suit himself. That’s not how it goes! Do you think that what I’m doing is groundbreaking? No, it’s not. Insider trading builds money, which builds power, which is the foundation of this company. Goldman’s is a juggernaut. Neither one of us can stop its growth. Hell, Jesus can’t stop it. Now I suggest you get off your moral high-horse and get with the goddamn program, son.” Jack’s voice dominated the room.
“I believe you plan on destroying my career the same way you sabotaged, Marty’s. But, what you don’t realize is that you failed in destroying Marty’s spirit. And I won’t give you a chance to ruin the reputation that I’ve worked so hard to build. I quit, Jack.”
The laughter that bellowed from Jack’s gut was so immense that it confused the entire situation. “What do you think your resignation will do? You can’t stop the world from turning. Only money can. There’s a line of young men and women praying that you quit so they can assume your position with no questions asked. As a matter of fact, now that I see you’re unfit to be under this company’s employ, I’m relieving you of your position effective today.”
Unable to find the perfect words to combat Jack’s, Vincent stood up, and turned to leave. Before his hand grasped the shiny brass door knob, Jack yelled out, “By the way, if any of this conversation gets out, I’ll show you how much power I truly have!” He released another deep, hearty laugh.
“We’ll see who has the last laugh, Jack!” he shouted before exiting the office.
On the opposite side of the door, he removed the phone from his pocket, hoping the recording app worked properly. He turned the phone off and replaced it in the inner pocket of his suit jacket.
Vincent’s heart felt as if it was going to beat its way out of his chest. Perspiration seeped out of the pores of his armpits, chest and forehead. He couldn’t believe what he had just done. He had challenged King Kong in his own jungle. His body moved on auto pilot while his brain raced to put everything into perspective and figure out what his next move would be.
Before he knew it, he was back in his office, pacing back and forth. Time was of the essence. He called Marty and explained what had transpired. Marty gave Vincent a few instructions before they hung up.
––––––––
There was no one Marty wanted to experience the feeling of having everything taken away from him more than Jack. The same man Marty admired as a friend and mentor had single handedly shattered his life. Not only did he strip him of his life’s accumulations, he also stripped him of his wife. Marty knew that Jack didn’t love Kate. He simply kept her as a trophy for his accomplishments.
They made their decisions and Marty had made his. He was going to do everything he could to bring Jack The Ripper down. He was aware that this battle would be bigger than David versus Goliath. For him to dethrone Jack, he needed the blessings of God, luck, and every other imaginable force on his side. Balls the size of grapefruits, too.
Marty scrolled down the numbers stored in his phone until he came across the name he had been searching for: Andy Merolla.
On the third ring Andy picked up. “Hello?”
“Andy, how are you doing? This is Marty.”
“Marty?”
“Yes, we met at the black tie event.”
There was a slight pause.
“...Oh, yes. Marty Frankel from New York City. What’s up, pal? How are you doing?”
“I’m doing well. Listen, at the event you told me that you heard about what happened to me as a result of placing my trust in Jack.”
“Yes. I’ve known Jack for a very long time. I hate to say it, but what he did to you is not out of his character. We are his main competitor. I’m well aware that he would love to bring me down. But I’ve been fortunate enough to stay a step ahead of him.”
“Well, he now has an enemy who’s hell bent on destroying him. I’ll be honest with you, I have a little dirt on him, but it’s nowhere near enough to topple him. I’m not sure if, or how, you can help, but any assistance you can provide will be greatly appreciated. And, you have my word that nothing will come back on you.”
There was another pause. This time it was longer. Finally, Andy broke the silence. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I have something that may help you. Give me a safe and secure address and I will send you what I have on a flash drive...”