Evan
Drake played paper basketball with Tony, Vincent, and Nathan.
I sighed in exaggeration.
He walked into Mariana's office.
"You got a minute?"
"Yup."
"What the hell is that?"
I looked back at Mariana's turtle tank sitting in here.
"Oh. Mariana's turtle. Donatello. I had my assistant go over to Mariana's apartment to pick him up."
"Hmm."
"So, I-- I could feed him."
"Ah. Okay. Uh... Anyway, I white-lied to the troops. We actually do have to make cuts to the staff in prep for the IPO. I e-mailed you a list of 25 lower levels we can lay off."
"Drake, 25 people?" I sputtered out.
"I'll do the laying off. All you need to do is approve it as CEO."
"Okay, well, I would love to look over this list."
"I'm just trying to help you, Evan. Take things off your plate."
"Oh, I appreciate your help but I am not signing anything before I review it first."
"Okay. If you've got time to waste."
He approached the door.
Drake paused.
"Oh, by the way, I called Mariana's Lawyer to ask about her condition and she stonewalled me. What's up with that?"
"I have no idea."
"Okay."
Drake walked out.
Later
I was sitting in Mariana's room with her.
The monitor beeped steadily.
"Maybe I should just tell everyone at Bulk Beauty the truth about what happened. That this is all my fault. I know people are gossiping and Drake's sniffing around. Maybe it's best I just come clean."
"If people know you were involved in my shooting, imagine the gossip then. It would undermine your authority. What you need to do is make a bold move and prove you're the boss. Get them talking about something else."
"Like laying 25 people off?" I questioned.
"Yeah. That'll get them talking, alright. About how much they hate me."
"You'll think of something, Evan. You always do."
"I'm so afraid to fail you. Again."
"Then don't."
Next Day
I walked into Mariana's office at Bulk Beauty.
I was reviewing documents.
"You're laying off Tony, Vincent, and Nathan?" It was Drake.
I turned to face him.
"Yes."
"They're VPs!"
"Who aren't pulling their weight. And with the savings from their salaries and bonuses, we can save a lot of low-level people who are actually doing their job."
Tony, Vincent, and Nathan cheered.
They were playing a virtual reality game.
"Yes! Whoo!" Tony cheered.
"Okay. This is not a smart move with the vote on your tenure just a few weeks away."
"It's a move I wanna make. And I'm in charge of this company. So, please have them clear out their desks by the end of the day."
"Okay."
Drake walked out.
I picked Donatello up.
"That's a bold move that'll get them talking about something else. Right, Donatello?"
Later
"Guys, I promise to bring you back as soon as we get rid of Evan. He won't last."
Tony, Vincent, and Nathan walked out.
"You think Mariana would approve?" I questioned Donatello.
"I hope so. Good night, Donatello. See you tomorrow."
I grabbed my jacket.
I walked out of Mariana's office.
Claire, Gina, and Rachel smiled at me.
I knew they were a big part of the Board.
"Nice moves today, boss." The elevator greeter told me.
I smiled.
