How to Succeed in Business: Alfred's boss, Arthur, is determined to make his life a living hell. Maybe if he can't win him over with his heroic personality, he'll have to make Arthur fall in love with him instead. Problem is, Alfred never planned to fall in love himself.
Chapter One: Introduction to Advertising
His professors had called him a marketing genius. His charm and quick thinking had gotten him out of many situations. His smile made people melt. Alfred F. Jones wasn't perfect, but there were many people who would claim that he was.
23 years old, a fresh college graduate, and Alfred had landed a spot in the biggest marketing company in the world: Sunflowers Inc. The CEO of Sunflowers Inc. had a way with words, or as some clients would say, a way with intimidation. Really, the company had a reputation for being the best, and, under Ivan Braginsky's watch, had convinced many other marketing companies to "become one with them, da?"
But, Ivan felt that his New York Branch of advertisement was becoming a little too stale; some commercials and billboards were too cynical. And that's where Alfred came in. A young, fresh mind would bring some happiness back into the New York sector of Sunflowers Inc. and keep the money rolling in.
Needless to say, Alfred was elated to get the offer. He was scheduled to start in the beginning of September as an advertising executive at Sunflowers Inc. When September came around, he went to his new work building, was greeted (rather rudely) by the pretty dark haired secretary, Angelique, and rode the elevator up to the 17th floor. Just as he walked past an office, he heard a rather angry voice coming from it. In gold lettering he read, "Arthur Kirkland, VP of Advertising, New York Branch."
Wasn't that the name of his boss?
Oh well. It was gonna be a great day!
Arthur Kirkland had to work to get to where he was today. He never had the friendliest of personalities, was always being compared to his unfairly successful brothers and aside from his drunken nights, was pretty unlucky in love. He preferred to be alone and work alone, and he was almost unceasingly sarcastic.
After graduating from university in London, his satirical writings were noticed by a certain Ivan Braginsky, and he started working in the London branch of Sunflowers Inc. Arthur had a knack for making things sound much better and more appealing than they really were- usually by making fun of other things.
So Ivan, always formulating some kind of plan, shipped Arthur to New York, the land of jaded ideals and sarcasm, where his marketing strategies were extremely successful. Within a matter of years, Arthur Kirkland was a pretty important component of the New York branch at only 26.
So, because he pushed to get to the top, Arthur was not happy to hear from Ivan that he would be working with some optimistic rookie. Not happy at all.
"Listen you…" He growled into the Blackberry phone at his ear, forgetting who he was talking to. "I don't need some smiling boy here, telling me to add more fucking sunshine into my advertisements. And another thing-"
He stopped when he heard the string of "Kolkolkolkoklkol" coming through the phone.
As the noises stopped, the CEO's cheery and creepy voice took over.
"Mr. Kirkland, the New York sales and success have been falling steadily for almost two months. I won't have any more failure." He laughed. "It would be really unfortunate if I had to come visit you in New York. What if something happened, da?"
Fuck.
"Mr. Braginsky, I assure you, that will not be necessary. I am only asking for a little time to fix things here, and I don't think I need someone there that might harm the company rather than help it."
Arthur tried to be as calm as possible as he spoke, all while screaming curses at the damned Russian in his head.
"Arthur, something tells me that New York is done with your depression. That's why I'm not only bringing Jones in. I suspected that you would be reluctant to work with him alone. I am also bringing many others from successful global branches. They should all be arriving within the week."
"But-b-I don't-you can't," Arthur was stunned.
"No, don't speak. I am giving you a year, Mr. Kirkland, to solve New York's advertisement problems. Work with your new co-workers, and use their ideas. If New York isn't showing success by next September, you can say goodbye, da?"
Some kind of strange terror shot through Arthur.
"G-goodbye to what?"
He heard a childish laugh.
"Goodbye to your career."
The line went dead.
Damn.
The enraged Englishman was stuck, working with some useless people at the risk of his job. He had to come up with some sort of drastic plan. Suddenly, the perfect idea came to him. If he could get Alfred Jones to leave the company, Braginsky would see how hard Arthur works. He'd see that Arthur didn't need help from a quitter anyway. When Arthur did well on his own, he would be able to keep his job.
How would he do it? A bribe?
No, Better: He's heard the rumors of his tyrannical rule of the New York branch.
Well, they all think he's a tyrant. They haven't seen anything yet.
He allowed himself a small smile.
Priority number one: Get Alfred Jones to quit Sunflowers Inc.
END of CHAPTER ONE
As a footnote, the advertisement industry can be really competitive and cut-throat. If you don't do too well or have a bad idea, you can say goodbye to your job, and possibly your reputation.
I also really enjoy Ivan being a heartless CEO. I'm not really sure why. But imagine having that guy as your boss' boss' boss. Wouldn't wanna piss him off. Ugh.