Chapter 11 – Is This The Best You Can Do?
On Monday morning, Pam brought me the file. Actually, make that files. The Avery case file was easily a good 10 red welds, with numerous subfiles, and growing. If I kept this file in my office, I wouldn't have to worry about filling up my bookshelf that's for sure. The case file was a little overwhelming at first, but once I got myself oriented, I knew where to begin. I started with the pleadings – complaint, answers, cross claims – and preliminary motions – motions to dismiss, motions to admit counsel to make appearances, and whatnot – and by early afternoon I had a pretty good handle on the case. So, I went to Eric's office and knocked on his open door. He was sitting at his desk working on his computer.
"Come in Sookie," he greeted. I took my seat in front of his desk and he continued, "It was nice meeting your family this weekend," he said with a smile.
"Yeah, Gran sure was pleased to meet you, and Jason was too," I cringed slightly as I recalled how Jason had, not so subtly, asked Eric how many "chicks" a pad like his would pull. Gran had invited Eric to stay with us for lunch, but he politely declined. I was both a little disappointed and a little relieved, but mostly relieved. Sometimes I hardly knew how to act around Eric at the office, let alone in front of my family. Plus, family always has a way of making you humble. And let's face it, who knew what Jason would say to Eric if they spent anymore time in the same room together. "Anyway, I've reviewed the Avery case file and I think I am ready to talk to you about it," I said, shifting topic.
"So, what do you think of the case?" he asked.
Okay, was he really asking me my professional opinion? How exciting! "Well, the case against our client seems circumstantial, at best, at this point, but it's too early to say for sure how this case will play out. We still need to interview the rest of our witnesses, including the sales folks in Sweden, and depose the plaintiffs, not to mention sift through what will undoubtedly be reams, and terabytes, of documents and data," I finished, satisfied with my preliminary assessment.
"Very good Sookie. You are correct; we need to do a lot more work before we can advise the client whether to settle, whether to file a dispositive motion, or whether we should move forward to trial. To get started, I need to know whether I can contact the plaintiffs' former employees, especially their former high ranking employees. I want to interview them and I don't want to have to tell the plaintiffs' lawyers that I'm doing so, or otherwise have them participate, at least not until I know what these potential witnesses are going to say. To do that, I need to know whether they considered to be represented by the plaintiffs' attorneys, since I can't contact a party represented by counsel. I want you to research this issue for me and then I would like for you to prepare a memo of your research, sound good?" he asked.
"Sure thing Eric," I said as I all but skipped out of Eric's office. My first assignment from Eric Northman!
It took me until the end of the next day, Tuesday, to complete the research and prepare the memo, but when I went to take it to Eric in his office; he wasn't there, so I just left it in his in-box. The next morning, Eric came to my office, with my memo in his hands. I smiled in anticipation of his assessment of my work.
"Sookie, is this the best you can do?" he asked.
I was mortified and I was certain my face dropped. "Well, maybe I can do better. I could maybe move some things around, follow up with additional research," I said, a lump lodged in my throat.
"Okay, here you go Sookie," Eric said as he handed back my memo and walked out of my office.
I took the memo back sheepishly. God I hoped Eric wasn't mad or disappointed in me, or thought I was incompetent. But what other conclusion could I reach? He just returned my work for what must have been deficiencies. I doubled down and worked on my memo all that day. By the end of day Wednesday, I was really happy with my memo and took into Eric's office, which was again empty. So, I placed it in his in-box.
Again, the next morning, Eric came back to my office with my memo in hand. "Knock knock," Eric said with a small smile.
"Hi Eric," I responded, holding my breath, awaiting judgment.
"Sookie, is the best you can do?" he asked again.
My heart fell to the pit of my stomach and I felt nauseated. "Eric, please let me have it back. I know I can do better," I pled.
"Okay, here you go Sookie," Eric said as he handed me back my memo.
I felt completely demoralized. I could only guess what Eric thought of me and my abilities, but I'm sure he regretted taking me on right now. I spent the entire rest of the day double checking my research, making sure to run down any and all loose ends. I rearranged my theories and proofread it for accuracy and conciseness until I could recite it from memory. With a deep breath, I took my memo back to Eric's office and again placed it in his in-box. I couldn't sleep the entire night I was so distressed. Knowing he slept above me didn't help any either.
I tossed and turned, and finally, unable to find sleep, I went into the office extra early on Friday morning. I was so nervous, I couldn't eat anything, so I only drank some coffee. I had no idea what Eric would say about my memo. If he didn't think it was good this time, could I lose my job? I was afraid I had already lost his respect. That kind of thinking plagued my morning. I spent the early morning hours working on short, mundane, minor things since I was too preoccupied by what Eric would say to work on anything that required much focus. I heard Eric before I saw him. He greeted Pam with a curt, "Morning," then he went into his office, setting down his briefcase and turning on his computer. After he got settled in, he walked over to my office, with my memo in his hands.
"Sookie, is this the best you can do?" he asked again. It was like Groundhog Day and if I wasn't so stressed, I would have laughed.
"Yes! Yes Eric, it is. I've looked at the research from every angle possible, I came up with theories that we could use in our case, as well as possible theories that the plaintiffs may try to use against us. I also came up with arguments to counter those theories. There isn't anything else, it is as good as it is ever going to get!" I exclaimed, exasperated. I regretted my agitated tone, but with the week's tension over this memo coupled with my lack of sleep, I simply spoke my mind. I just couldn't take it anymore. Maybe I am not the lawyer he thought I was. Maybe I wasn't as smart as he thought I was. I was at the point where I almost didn't care anymore. This memo was the best I could do and there was no amount of work that I could do to improve upon it.
"Okay, then I will read it," he said matter-of-factly.
"W—w-wait … what?" I stuttered, unable to comprehend what he just said. "You mean, you haven't read it yet?" I asked.
"Well, no Sookie. I only want to read the best you can do. If this is it, then I'll look at it," he said with a self-satisfied smile. Smug bastard. I'd been had. Yes, he was trying to teach me a lesson. My work product should always be the best I could do, but he was putting me through my paces too. I am certain my mouth was hanging open as I sat there, dumbfounded. With a smirk, he walked out.
A/N: When I used to practice in a large firm, it was rumored that this really happened to some poor first year associate. I don't know if it is true or not, but after I heard this legend, I was sure to make sure my work was always the best I could do.