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A strong-looking hand abruptly thrust outward. It clutched seven straws that protruded half-circularly toward a group of people who surrounded it.
“Time to pick, ladies and gentlemen.” Not one individual reciprocated by reaching for the straws. “Really? No one? You know how impatient I become when I have to wait!” exclaimed Eric St. Clair.
He glared at the seven individuals tightly positioned around his clasped hand. Eric was impatient - Par for the course for someone in his position.
As a stockbroker manager, it was second nature for him not to waste time when it came to making critical decisions. It was something he had done every waking moment of his career.
Eric wasn’t just a manager of any stockbroker house. His was one of the more successful Wall Street firms. Being part of this elite organization paved the way for him to amass a small fortune.
But, his onerous demeanor wasn’t necessarily limited to the workplace. He had always been able to recognize and take advantage of any situation, most of which resulted in him imposing his will on others, especially in the world of finance.
He had molded his unit into what was considered one of the premier groups in the firm primarily by weeding out individuals he believed did not live up to his standards.
He made it a policy to surround himself with those people who, as he so often would impress upon them, “only those who can cut the mustard” will remain in his unit.
Although 65 years old, Eric was a middle-aged man by his standards. Having been in the business for many years, he had become critical of those he employed. He expected nothing but obedient loyalty in return.
“Very well then, since you seem reluctant to select, I’ll pick for you.”
He started to pull out straws one by one and began to hand them to the team.
First was Stacie Martin, Eric's team's oldest and most experienced. Vincent Moreau is a stockbroker who plays by Eric’s rules and enables his boss in ways far beyond office protocol. Claudia Chan, a former high school teacher who turned to make money after being angered by the educational system, Jack San Miguel, is a coward by nature but always there to help move any situation along. Angela Johnson is an amateur athlete who is always looking to push the limits of human endurance. Cole Marsden, an outdoor hunter, is trapped in an office job, and Ed Santoro, Eric’s driver.
“All right, let’s identify those among you who are willing to take risks necessary to build their own empire? Or shall we discover who will be left behind to cower on terra firma and the safety it has to offer?” Eric thought his little speech would motivate someone. Unfortunately, no one volunteered. The group’s non-committal stance drew his ire. “Oh, Come on! I need risk-takers! I know you’re out there. Where are you hiding?”
Eric glanced at Stacie. She knew his comment was meant specifically for her. She was somewhat offended by the condescending gaze Eric he had directed at her and was about to respond to him when he quickly gestured with his hands for the team to approach him, “Come on, we’ve all had the required jumping hours. Let’s see who among you has drawn a spot to jump with me from in the plane.”
As they stepped forward, they glanced at each other, some confidently, others slightly nervous, and some unemotionally.
“Now, place your thumb and index finger on the middle of each straw so we can see who’s earned a place.”
As the group positioned their fingers into the correct alignment, Stacie appeared hesitant to show her straw.
Eric could not allow an opportunity to go by to put her on the spot. “Don’t be shy, Stacie. Only three of the straws are short. You’ve got just as good a chance to be one of the lucky jumpers as the others.” He raised his eyebrows. “Unless, of course, you’re not up to the jump.”
Stacie did not appreciate his attack on her character. She quickly fired back, “Makes little difference to me. This is your party. I’m in for the ride, however long or short it may last.”
Eric tilted his head and grinned, “I’m glad you feel that way as your straw....” He grabbed and raised her hand high enough to display its length. “Makes you one of the winners!”
Stacie would not allow her personal feelings to be paraded in front of the others, one way or the other. She emphasized as stoically as possible, “As I said, I’m in for the ride.” As she turned and walked away.
Eric was forced to move on, so he examined the remaining straws. “Vincent! Jack! Great news! You’re the other lucky jumpers! Come on, get your helmets on. Our plane’s waiting.”
Eric watched as Ed issued each of the jumping crew a packed parachute. He patted each jumper on the back as they picked up their chutes. “One for you, Jack. And one for you, Vincent. Then, he saw Stacie standing in the background. “Oh, don’t worry, Stacie. I didn’t forget about you. Ed, make sure to give Stacie the last chute.” Eric turned around, put his hands on his hips, and took in the beautiful surroundings. He took a deep breath, “My, smell that fresh air! Let’s go!” He bolted off with the speed of an antelope.
Vincent was not thrilled, “Hey, Jack! Hold up.” Jack slowed down and leaned back to hear what he had to say. “I’ll tell you what I think. I think we’ve been had.”
Jack nervously answered, “Wh-wh-what do you mean?”
“I -mean- I think the old man rigged the straws.”
“Awe, come on. How could he do that?”
“For him? It would be easy.”
Stacie began to put her helmet on and was about to start toward where the plane was located. A voice rang out from behind.
“Stacie. Stacie! Hold up a minute,” shouted Angela.
“What is it, Angela? Or didn’t you hear his excellency’s command?” Stacie extended the straw directly in front of Angela’s face, “I’ve got the winning straw, and that means I’ve got a plane to catch.”
Angela swiped the straw from her hand and laughed, “Not necessarily.” Stacie looked puzzled. “What I mean is, who says it has to be ‘you’ that has a plane to catch?” Stacie attempted to take the straw back, but Angela held back and laughed, “I say the honor goes to the bearer of the prized straw...me!”
The plane's twin engines roared as it took off and started climbing high into the blue skies. Eric was seated at the front. The others had little choice but to get caught up with his loud and vocal commands directed at the pilot to get to the drop point.
Jack overheard the pilot tell Eric, “Are you absolutely sure?”
To which Eric answered, “Yes.”
“Very well, it’s your jump.” The pilot yelled back from the cockpit, “One more minute, and I’ll turn the green light on.”
It was like Christmas morning for Eric when the green light came on. He unbuckled himself and burst into the aisleway. He anxiously made his way to the others. “Remember, wait at least 47 seconds before you pull your chute. Anyone who pulls the cord sooner, well, you don’t want to know what I will have to do to them.” He started to line the crew up. “Is everyone ready? Jack? Vincent? Stacie?
Eric looked toward Stacie. He could not make eye contact with her as her helmet faced down. He walked up to her. “Come on, Stacie. Chin up, Time to face the music.”
Eric reached out to grab her chin and raise her head. But, as he lifted her head, his eyes widened - it wasn’t Stacie. It was Angela wearing Stacie’s helmet. Eric was angered at the revelation. “What the Hell is this?!” He looked around the jumping bay. “Where’s Stacie?” An irritated Eric yelled out.
Angela wasted no time answering, “I swapped places with her.” She locked her arms with his. “Look, Eric, whether it’s back in the office or up in the air, I was moved by your speech and wanted the opportunity to prove to you I’m an employee who’s not afraid to take chances.”
Eric's irritation quickly faded. He laughed out loud, “So, it’s Eric now. All right...ALL RIGHT! You wanted an opportunity, very well then, you shall have that opportunity.”
The light turned green, and Eric approached the side of the plane where the open doorway awaited its jumpers. “Time to depart my brave crew. Let’s line up.”
Vincent and Jack began to line up, but Angela rushed past them straight for the doorway, “See you, cowards, on the ground!” Once again, without hesitation, she jumped.
Vincent and Jack looked out the open doorway that led to their highway to terror. Vincent gritted his teeth and jumped, but Jack stalled at the exit. He turned towards Eric, “Mr. St. Clair, if we could talk about -” His request was inconsequential as he felt Eric shove him out of the plane.
Falling in the air was frightening for the team, except for Angela, whose aggressive actions seemed to cancel out the challenging experience.
As the team kept themselves within eyesight, they were puzzled not to see their boss anywhere near them.
Suddenly, Eric seemed to appear from out of nowhere. Very quickly, he glided alongside the jumpers. He yelled out and opened his hand three times, displaying his fingers. They heard him say through their built-in radio transmitters, “Fifteen seconds left!”
After fifteen seconds, Jack screamed, “The Hell with this!” and pulled his cord. His chute deployed and slowed his descent.
“No bonus for you, Jack!” Eric cried out,
Vincent yelled out, “Forty-five, forty-six, forty-seven! Time’s up!” He wasted no time and pulled his cord.
Eric looked at Angela, “It’s time. Pull your cord!” As he was about to pull his, Angela yelled out,
“What say we go an extra ten seconds?!”
“Don’t do that! Pull your cord! Pull your cord, now!”
Screamed Eric out as he pulled his own.
“All right already. I’m pulling!” She surrendered and yanked her cord. To Angela’s dismay, her chute did not deploy. She pulled it a second time with the same result. Her chute did not open. She was falling and frantically did everything she could to rectify what was transpiring. She waited for the backup chute to open, but it also failed. Her brain screamed in silent terror. Now, real fear overcame Angela. It was unlike any fear she had ever experienced in her entire life - a fear that petrified her.
“I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die!” The others heard her as she screamed and screamed. Then, without warning, the backup chute miraculously deployed, and she began to drift towards Earth. However, her descent was still coming down faster than a normal landing.
The others on the ground had been observing the team’s jump. “Angela’s chute. It finally opened! It opened.” A relieved Claudia exclaimed.
“Wait a minute. She must have waited too long to pull her chute. She’s coming down too fast!” Yelled Cole.
“She’s going to come down beyond those trees!” Ed exclaimed. The tree line obscured Angela’s landing. Claudia cried out.
“Come on, Let’s get over there, fast!” All they could do was hope and pray she would be all right.
“God, I hope she’s ok!” Stacie cried out as they raced towards the trees.
Claudia yelled, “Please don’t let us find her dead.”
As they ran, Cole looked at Stacie and blurted out. “Wow! To think she traded places with you. If you hadn’t, that would have been you.”
His revelation stopped Stacie in her tracks. She tried to push the thought out of her head - the idea that maybe, just maybe, Eric had planned for her chute to fail, which ultimately could have resulted in her own death.
But, they were too far away to know if Angela had been killed. They hadn’t come close enough to determine her condition yet.
The others came upon Angela’s motionless body. “Is she...is she dead?” Claudia looked at Ed.
He shrugged, “Hey, I’m just the driver.”
Claudia turned to Cole. “Talk to me, Cole! How is she? How is SHE?!”