KPO by Matthew G. Cohen (best book clubs .TXT) 📕

ones, Will sat on the Caribbean beach. Half his attention was on his wife’s words while his other half curiously gazed over the Wall Street Journal.
“What was that dear?” Will asked opening and folding the Wall Street Journal as he sat in his beach chair.
“I was just really appreciating how nice of a beach this is and how lucky we all are to be here together. I just know our family photo is going to be perfect.” She beamed from her sun-kissed anxious face. Sammy just got a really nice wave!” Will’s request for his wife to repeat herself was apparently of minor importance as he had returned to the Money section of the newspaper. Frustrated at her husband’s aloofness, she turned away and resumed watching her children playing in the ocean. Sam, surfing the whitewater waves and Ellie and her boyfriend holding hands enjoying the little ripples, Cynthia played the role of lifeguard keeping a watchful eye on her children, so pleased to see them all enjoying themselves.
Tomorrow was to be an important day. The Turnwell family portrait was all set for sunset. Ellie (minus her boyfriend of 4 years) and Sammy the surfer, along with Cynthia’s parents would all smile for the photo shoot. Cynthia couldn’t wait to see her family and how well everyone looked in the linen and white outfits she’d agreed upon with the photographer. Although slightly cynical about the idea, even her husband agreed the framed photo would look good on their mantel.
Will ran a curious eye over the stock options and annuity growth in the paper. Frowning, he learned he, (the family) sustained a small setback with one of his investments. Oblivious to the tranquility surrounding him, he stewed over his monetary loss. Away from work and his office, Will felt like an alien, a fish out of water. He couldn’t get the necessary updates, couldn’t do the proper homework, couldn’t read the stock news feed. He needed his laptop computer, wireless Internet, and the ability to E-trade some of his stock shares.
The sun burned low in the sky. It’s shining rays were powerful and brilliant. Sunset, in about two hour’s time would provide perfect lighting for tomorrow’s shoot highlighting this wonderful vacation. Will’s in-laws sat reading placidly in the chairs next to him, content with their opportunity to see their grandchildren. Cynthia was working on a golden tan near the water’s edge smiling with satisfaction. The kids were alive with excitement and thrilled to be at a tropical beach during this vacation from school. Will however was on the other side of the fence. Surly about his time away from the computer, sore about his stock investment that went bad, chapped he couldn’t redeem himself with a trade or two for the rest of the week. His bag suddenly began to ring. Vibrate. Once again, a ring and a vibrating rhythm. His international plan on his cell phone had not failed to work after all. Glancing at the caller ID on the screen he was relieved to learn that it was his office. That’s right, Will was relieved to see the area code familiar to his home town to be calling on his vacation. “Hello?”
“Will Turnwell please?” the voice on the phone asked.
“Speaking…Will said with a hint of anxiousness in his tone.
“This is Stephen Bradley of MicroWorks. We had emailed you Monday at your office but had received an auto alert reply that you were out of the office the entire week. I hope you’ll forgive me, but I requested your cell number from Sarah, your secretary.” Mr. Bradley stated internationally over the telephone.
“No it’s not a problem at all Will stated immediately. What’s this in reference to?
Bradley continued, “Of course I wouldn’t phone you on vacation unless this was an urgent matter.” Bradley apologized once again only to continue, “Its just that my boss Mr. Gates has expressed interest in a merger.
“I’m sorry what was that ? You’ll have to provide some more details.” Will quickly added, a zealous ring to his request.
“Mr. Gates has proposed that you and your employees of TSG spearhead an executive branch here at Microworks. You’d keep your office, and your employees’ responsibilities would remain the same. As the CEO of the branch, your responsibilities would be increased of course. Later evenings, some Saturday office hours, but the salary increase would be exponential.
Will’s thoughts were drawn inward, processing the proposal, internalizing the inquiry, digesting the deal…but only for a second.
“I’ll take it!” Will excitedly stated without more than a second’s hesitation, oblivious to the added workload, absent minded to the family implications, aloof to all it would affect. But Will was tuned in, most astute and attentive about one thing: the man had mentioned a salary increase.
“Well, excellent! Mr. Bradley returned, surprised by the quickness of Will’s answer yet impressed by it. “Our deal will need to be signed off then Friday morning.” he continued.
“Not a problem” Will provided
“You understand that’s first thing tomorrow morning?” Bradley added
Incredulous to such great news, Will beamed, “I’m just so pleased and happy to land such a deal.” the smug satisfaction evident in his tone
“Perfect, we’ll have our jet sent for you at the Liberia Airport. You’ll need to leave on the 5:40pm flight so that we can sign the deal at Green Valley Country Club first thing in the morning. Bradley revealed in a most professional manner.
“Sounds good.” Will returned, but may I ask why a country club?
“Mr. Gates and all the big wigs sign all their big deals on the links.” Bradley answered with some slight arrogance in his reply.
Tomorrow Will would be on the green, the fairway green, the putting green, yes, this was where Will was to make his added green. What drove his green, he really wasn’t sure, but this opportunity held the promise of more Green. His clubs he got for Christmas would be making their debut tomorrow. Hanging up his call, in a dream he stashed his phone back into his beach bag. He couldn’t wait to share the news with everybody.
“Production for TSG would nearly double! His income would nearly double! This was the break and opportunity where big bucks were made.” he thought to himself as he briskly began to walk to the water’s edge to share the good news with Cynthia. He did feel as if he was forgetting something. Something seemed to have escaped his mind. Something he may have overlooked. Quite tantalizing this memory was as it was just out of his memory’s reach, yet danced on the tip of his tongue.
“Honey, I just hung up with work…I’ve got great news!”
“Will, you promised you’d turn that thing off.” Cynthia said but her smile was now matching her husband’s.
“We just landed a deal with Microworks. We’re partners!”
“Honey that’s great!” she exclaimed but anxious to hear what this may mean.
The deal’s being made first thing tomorrow, we sign the deal and…
Will’s words stopped. His excitement and explanation cut short by his wife’s expression. On her face was a look of disappointment. Disappointment to combat her husband’s excitement. Clueless to where this could be coming from, Will quickly questioned, “What is it honey?”
“Will, our family portrait is tomorrow night!” She revealed, her tone reeking of letdown, disappointment and grief all in one. That was it. He’d forgotten, how could he have? He wasn’t sure, but he did.
“Honey, I’m sorry…Will began. But I’ll have to miss it. You can still have the portrait taken though.
Speechless by her husband’s poor priority choices, she stared at him dumbfounded.
Will continued, “All the big wigs from Microworks are going to be there”
But your family is here.” his wife meekly muttered
“The deal is going down on the links, I get to use the new golf clubs you got me!” he boasted oblivious to the significance of Cynthia’s words.
“Honey! We had this date for months..” she included hopeful of awakening her husband from his daydream. Her last resort.
“They’re sending me home on a private jet baby, I promise to be there for next year’s portrait Cynthia.” Will included, almost as an afterthought. Packing up in a hurry, Will was now focused. Focused on his departure time, soon to be airborne back to the states. And with a kiss to his disappointed wife and confused family, Will left. His family still on vacation, yet forlorn and forgotten.
A tear rolled down Will’s cheek bringing him back to the present day, flashback left behind, leaving its harsh reality to remain. He couldn’t believe how selfish he’d been. What if he had stayed for the family portrait? What if he hadn’t been so obtuse? While he thought about providing for his family all those years, perhaps the best thing he provided was neglect. Saddened by his revelation, he rose from his seat and made toward the door. Will was frustrated about his shortcomings and poor judgment. Will was anxious to leave “F” and what it stood for. Destined for the lobby, he arrived there quickly as there was no one to bid farewell to. He longed to say goodbye to somebody, making his time spent on “F” to be more official, more authentic. Looking into the reflective mirror doors on the elevator, he frowned. Ignoring his reflection, and perhaps for good reason, Will took a shallow breath and entered the elevator.
The small room chimed closing its doors in front of Will. Surrounding the walls were photos once again. No new photos seemed to be present. In fact, he noticed a few were missing.. Still up on the walls were pictures of his parents and his office building. Gone were the photos of his blackberry, The Wall Street Journal, and his golf scorecards.
“How odd!” he thought as he once again admired his Mercedes Benz of yesteryear…. “God I loved that car..” he said aloud to nobody in particular. Unsure whether he was to go up or down, he was relieved to see but one option once again. The clear button this time simply labeled “S”. As he rode the elevator once again he thought about KPO and his “service work” he was to provide and when this might actually begin. This he was unsure of. He was certainly finding his time at KPO to be exhausting and he was extremely thirsty. He was sure of one thing though, “F” was a depressing floor and was glad to be leaving….but what was “S”?


S


Slowly, the mirrored elevator doors opened. Will emerged looking less haggard. Anyone who might know Will would think he wore an improved aura of confidence. This floor, simply labeled with an “S” was a stark contrast to the first two floors. It’s warm, cozy feeling welcomed Will and he felt at ease immediately. He couldn’t help but feel how much more vibrant and alive this floor was, yet there wasn’t a single person in sight. The room radiated positive