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Chapter 13
"Okay, glad to see you all here. Let's get started. Clark, if you would be so kind."
My Chief Financial Officer stood up, "If you would all, turn to the first page of your packet, you will see this year's unaudited financial statement."
Though interested in the wellbeing of my company, my mind began to wander. Absentmindedly, I took some cursory notes. The company was in excellent shape. Capital expenditures were up signifcantly and the cash supply was taking the hit. Things were going well.
I watched as the other vice presidents engaged in a collegial discussion on how to cut costs. The cost of the current revenue streams had gone up significantly, cutting into our profit margins. It wasn;t really a crisis, but something to avoid if possible.
It was a boring meeting, but those are not to be avoided, but cherished. It means nothing is going wrong, and god knows that things go wrong enough on their own.
Before leaving work at 8:00 PM, Rei rifled through Ryan desk. She sifted through several layers of paper and after a moment, found what she was looking for. Rei pocketed the cigarettes and then went to grab her purse.
She flipped her celly on and called several friends. Eventually Ami picked up, "Ami, can you pick me up?"
"Sure, got nothing better to do."
"Gee thanks."
Ami laughed, "I'll be there in five. How are you for school work?"
"Nothing big. Tests aren't for a while, you know."
"Cool. Mamoru wants to meet you for dinner."
"Usagi going to be there?"
"No, she's busy tonight."
Rei sounded puzzled, "Why me?"
"Mina told him about how you managed to contact this guy several months ago. He wants your impressions."
"Right...great...okay. Where and when?"
"Damn her."
"What did she do now?"
I swore feelingly, "She took my goddamn cigarettes."
"They're bad for you. Come on, I'll drive you home."
"No, I've got my car here."
"Alright," Dana smiled, "Don't drink yourself silly now."
"What else would I do with my spare time?"
"You should take up dating."
I sighed, "Why bother? Golddiggers all."
"Women aren't all evil. Besides you could pretend that you're broke, " Dana clapped her hands together, "And if you get a girlfriend, we could double date! Wouldn;t that be exciting?"
I grimaced, "I'm not sure what I did, but I'm certain I don;t deserve this."
Dana looked frank, "Look, I'll make some calls, and I can set you up with somebody in my complex. You won't have to spend the night alone."
"Well, I'm not one to deny an offer for free sex, but I've got some moral problems with one night stands."
"Don't be so dirty. Just some partnership for dinner. How about it?"
She was short, blond, and pretty. After about thirty minutes of dinner, I wanted to strangle her. She nattered on idiotically about everything under the sun. I could feel my mind imploding under the pressure. Dana shot me a look of pure sympathy.
"So you, uh, work with Dana?"
I poked at my salad and then carved up a piece of romaine lettuce, "I do. I hired her."
Dana's date, named Andy, grinned, "Good taste."
I tended to like this guy, "Dana tells me you're from California."
"Bay area kid, through and through. I went back East for college and after New York I went to business school and then was sent here."
"Where for college?"
"Williams College. Heard of it?"
I smiled, "I've heard something about that. I believe the average Williams student is termed an athlete, scholar, and investment banker? You've certainly taken to that last role well."
The graduate of Williams and Harvard smiled in appreciation. I turned my attention to my own date, who was chatting it up with Dana. In the way that women do, they whispered and exchanged comments in ways which men could never understand.
I smiled charmingly and my date immediately turned her attention to me, "So how do you know Dana?"
Patiently, I repeated, "I work with her."
"Oh that's right, I almost forgot. So how's business?"
Dana flashed me another subtle pitying glance before I answered, "Pretty good. I think that we're doing things rather well."
Dana laughed, "Of course, he wouldn't be one to criticize his own business."
My date looked a little confused, "I suppose that's right."
This is depressing.
Mamoru, for the first time in a very long time, looked worried. Rei and Ami both took their seats. He tried to smile, "Glad you came."
Rei grinned back, "What's up?"
"First, let's order. I'm starved."
Ami tapped the keys on her computer, conveniently disguised as a palm top computer. Without looking up, "Sounds fine."
It was silent for a moment and the waiter arrived to take the orders. After he left, Ami set down her computer, "I saved his path through the city, even after you stopped pursuing him. At some point, I think he began to realize that he was being tracked."
Rei spoke in low tones, "His pattern faded out about five minutes after you stopped chasing him."
"His pattern was pretty random before that, " Ami tapped a couple more keys, "But I think that I have a general location for where he lives." A four by four square of blocks lit up.
Mamoru brushed an errant lock of hair back over his head, "It's better than nothing. But not much. Dammit."
Rei shook her head, "Tell me about it. On top of work and school, this is just too much."
"What were your impressions, Rei?"
Slowly, "He's not evil. I know that for certain. And, while I am not completely sure, I do think that I have contacted him before. That time, he seemed......so anguished. Like something was eating him up from inside," She shivered, "And one more thing...he was familiar. I can't really place him."
"Speculations as to who he is?"
Ami folded her computer away, "Process of elimination. Old enemies? It's a he...so I don't think it was any of our more recent enemies. So who does that leave? Ail?"
Rei frowned, "He's gone, and I think he would contact us directly."
"Nemesis?"
Mamoru tapped his fingers together, "All dead. I made sure of that."
"Which leaves two choices. Dark Kingdom and someone completely new. I tend to believe the latter."
Rei nodded, "Makes sense. All the Dark Kingdom generals were killed, right?"
Ami waggled a finger, "Actually, we only saw three of them die. The first one retreated remember?"
Rei tossed that off, "Look, we all know Beryl. She didn't tolerate failure too well. Besides wouldn't have replaced him had he not died."
"So he's out too."
Mamoru rubbed his eyes tiredly, "Right. Damn. That leaves an unknown. But that's contradictory."
Ami looked annoyed, "We need more information. Minako was right, I think we should bring Haruka and Michiru into this. They have a little more experience in tracking than we do."
Rei shook her head, "I agree with Usagi. It's not worth it, taking them away from their lives. We can handle the youma problem, and this guy isn't causing harm. We can't stalk him just because we want to know who he is."
The man sighed, "I think Ami may be right. We could use the extra manpower. And we can;t rule out this being the precursor to a larger youma assault. Even if we don;t go after him, we could use them in covering the city more effectively."
A phone call had saved me and I ditched dinner for an early West Coast morning conference call. I sat in my bed room, tossing clothes into my suitcase as I spoke with the venture team which had supplied us with a midstage five million dollar equity fund. When the stock offering went through, they would likely sell the twenty percent of common stock that they owned at an obscene profit. Damn them.
But as long as they controlled that twenty percent, and held a seat on the board, I would listen to and address their concerns. This time, they had questions about the common stock offering, and I repeatedly reassured them that everything would go as planned.
Maybe after this, I'll join a venture capital firm. It's gotta be easier than this.
Yes, everything would be fine. Our fundamentals were good, and the offering in several months would go well. Blah blah blah.
When they finally hung up, I rubbed my eyes. It was one o'clock in the morning for me. 'Probably around eleven AM over there. Damn them again'
Tiredly, I realized that I had a full wardrobe back in california. I tossed the suit case aside and collapsed onto the bed. It was the first time that I passed out without alcohol to aid me.
Chapter 13
"Okay, glad to see you all here. Let's get started. Clark, if you would be so kind."
My Chief Financial Officer stood up, "If you would all, turn to the first page of your packet, you will see this year's unaudited financial statement."
Though interested in the wellbeing of my company, my mind began to wander. Absentmindedly, I took some cursory notes. The company was in excellent shape. Capital expenditures were up signifcantly and the cash supply was taking the hit. Things were going well.
I watched as the other vice presidents engaged in a collegial discussion on how to cut costs. The cost of the current revenue streams had gone up significantly, cutting into our profit margins. It wasn;t really a crisis, but something to avoid if possible.
It was a boring meeting, but those are not to be avoided, but cherished. It means nothing is going wrong, and god knows that things go wrong enough on their own.
Before leaving work at 8:00 PM, Rei rifled through Ryan desk. She sifted through several layers of paper and after a moment, found what she was looking for. Rei pocketed the cigarettes and then went to grab her purse.
She flipped her celly on and called several friends. Eventually Ami picked up, "Ami, can you pick me up?"
"Sure, got nothing better to do."
"Gee thanks."
Ami laughed, "I'll be there in five. How are you for school work?"
"Nothing big. Tests aren't for a while, you know."
"Cool. Mamoru wants to meet you for dinner."
"Usagi going to be there?"
"No, she's busy tonight."
Rei sounded puzzled, "Why me?"
"Mina told him about how you managed to contact this guy several months ago. He wants your impressions."
"Right...great...okay. Where and when?"
"Damn her."
"What did she do now?"
I swore feelingly, "She took my goddamn cigarettes."
"They're bad for you. Come on, I'll drive you home."
"No, I've got my car here."
"Alright," Dana smiled, "Don't drink yourself silly now."
"What else would I do with my spare time?"
"You should take up dating."
I sighed, "Why bother? Golddiggers all."
"Women aren't all evil. Besides you could pretend that you're broke, " Dana clapped her hands together, "And if you get a girlfriend, we could double date! Wouldn;t that be exciting?"
I grimaced, "I'm not sure what I did, but I'm certain I don;t deserve this."
Dana looked frank, "Look, I'll make some calls, and I can set you up with somebody in my complex. You won't have to spend the night alone."
"Well, I'm not one to deny an offer for free sex, but I've got some moral problems with one night stands."
"Don't be so dirty. Just some partnership for dinner. How about it?"
She was short, blond, and pretty. After about thirty minutes of dinner, I wanted to strangle her. She nattered on idiotically about everything under the sun. I could feel my mind imploding under the pressure. Dana shot me a look of pure sympathy.
"So you, uh, work with Dana?"
I poked at my salad and then carved up a piece of romaine lettuce, "I do. I hired her."
Dana's date, named Andy, grinned, "Good taste."
I tended to like this guy, "Dana tells me you're from California."
"Bay area kid, through and through. I went back East for college and after New York I went to business school and then was sent here."
"Where for college?"
"Williams College. Heard of it?"
I smiled, "I've heard something about that. I believe the average Williams student is termed an athlete, scholar, and investment banker? You've certainly taken to that last role well."
The graduate of Williams and Harvard smiled in appreciation. I turned my attention to my own date, who was chatting it up with Dana. In the way that women do, they whispered and exchanged comments in ways which men could never understand.
I smiled charmingly and my date immediately turned her attention to me, "So how do you know Dana?"
Patiently, I repeated, "I work with her."
"Oh that's right, I almost forgot. So how's business?"
Dana flashed me another subtle pitying glance before I answered, "Pretty good. I think that we're doing things rather well."
Dana laughed, "Of course, he wouldn't be one to criticize his own business."
My date looked a little confused, "I suppose that's right."
This is depressing.
Mamoru, for the first time in a very long time, looked worried. Rei and Ami both took their seats. He tried to smile, "Glad you came."
Rei grinned back, "What's up?"
"First, let's order. I'm starved."
Ami tapped the keys on her computer, conveniently disguised as a palm top computer. Without looking up, "Sounds fine."
It was silent for a moment and the waiter arrived to take the orders. After he left, Ami set down her computer, "I saved his path through the city, even after you stopped pursuing him. At some point, I think he began to realize that he was being tracked."
Rei spoke in low tones, "His pattern faded out about five minutes after you stopped chasing him."
"His pattern was pretty random before that, " Ami tapped a couple more keys, "But I think that I have a general location for where he lives." A four by four square of blocks lit up.
Mamoru brushed an errant lock of hair back over his head, "It's better than nothing. But not much. Dammit."
Rei shook her head, "Tell me about it. On top of work and school, this is just too much."
"What were your impressions, Rei?"
Slowly, "He's not evil. I know that for certain. And, while I am not completely sure, I do think that I have contacted him before. That time, he seemed......so anguished. Like something was eating him up from inside," She shivered, "And one more thing...he was familiar. I can't really place him."
"Speculations as to who he is?"
Ami folded her computer away, "Process of elimination. Old enemies? It's a he...so I don't think it was any of our more recent enemies. So who does that leave? Ail?"
Rei frowned, "He's gone, and I think he would contact us directly."
"Nemesis?"
Mamoru tapped his fingers together, "All dead. I made sure of that."
"Which leaves two choices. Dark Kingdom and someone completely new. I tend to believe the latter."
Rei nodded, "Makes sense. All the Dark Kingdom generals were killed, right?"
Ami waggled a finger, "Actually, we only saw three of them die. The first one retreated remember?"
Rei tossed that off, "Look, we all know Beryl. She didn't tolerate failure too well. Besides wouldn't have replaced him had he not died."
"So he's out too."
Mamoru rubbed his eyes tiredly, "Right. Damn. That leaves an unknown. But that's contradictory."
Ami looked annoyed, "We need more information. Minako was right, I think we should bring Haruka and Michiru into this. They have a little more experience in tracking than we do."
Rei shook her head, "I agree with Usagi. It's not worth it, taking them away from their lives. We can handle the youma problem, and this guy isn't causing harm. We can't stalk him just because we want to know who he is."
The man sighed, "I think Ami may be right. We could use the extra manpower. And we can;t rule out this being the precursor to a larger youma assault. Even if we don;t go after him, we could use them in covering the city more effectively."
A phone call had saved me and I ditched dinner for an early West Coast morning conference call. I sat in my bed room, tossing clothes into my suitcase as I spoke with the venture team which had supplied us with a midstage five million dollar equity fund. When the stock offering went through, they would likely sell the twenty percent of common stock that they owned at an obscene profit. Damn them.
But as long as they controlled that twenty percent, and held a seat on the board, I would listen to and address their concerns. This time, they had questions about the common stock offering, and I repeatedly reassured them that everything would go as planned.
Maybe after this, I'll join a venture capital firm. It's gotta be easier than this.
Yes, everything would be fine. Our fundamentals were good, and the offering in several months would go well. Blah blah blah.
When they finally hung up, I rubbed my eyes. It was one o'clock in the morning for me. 'Probably around eleven AM over there. Damn them again'
Tiredly, I realized that I had a full wardrobe back in california. I tossed the suit case aside and collapsed onto the bed. It was the first time that I passed out without alcohol to aid me.