The Pursuit of Other Interests: A Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

immediately regretted saying this.
    Helmut’s eyes flared. “You insisted on leading that pitch. Insisted on it. You should have deferred to your creative team and kept out of the way. That rodent was ridiculous. You should have trusted your people. You were the manager, I placed you in charge. Instead, you took over the creative and stifled everyone.”
    “I never stifled anyone. As I explained before, I thought I had a clearer grasp of the client. I knew them. I knew where they had to go and what they should be saying.”
    Helmut raised his hand. “Please, I don’t want to discuss that anymore. I’ve heard all of your rationalizations.” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, I could list a number of additional issues here, a number of things you have failed to deliver upon, but I would rather not. Unless you would like me to do so.”
    “I don’t understand,” Charlie said, though he was beginning to, and clearly.
    “As I said, we’re making a change.” Charlie couldn’t speak. “We have prepared a separation package for you. It is nonnegotiable. You were not general manager very long. Under the circumstances, it is the best we can do.”
    Charlie found his voice: “Separation package?”
    Helmut set his jaw. “We’re making a change. We are terminating your employment here.”
    “Terminating my employ…” Charlie stopped and swallowed, then said, “That’s ridiculous, that’s crazy. You can’t fire me. That’s just not possible. That’s not an option.”
    Helmut stared at Charlie without expression. “Excuse me?”
    “You can’t fire me, Helmut. Come on. You can’t. Let’s be serious. You can’t come in here and fire me like…like I was someone else. I mean, it makes no sense.”
    Helmut looked over at Marken and then back at Charlie. “Don’t make this more difficult than it has to be.” Rather than angry, he seemed embarrassed.
    “Stop it right now, come on, let’s just stop this!” Charlie stood. “You can’t do this. I work too hard. Listen. I’m sorry about the Southwest pitch and that stupid hamster. And I’m sorry for some of the other things, the ‘fat’ memo. That was wrong, I realize that now. I made a mistake, a mistake. Everyone makes them. But I’ll make it up.”
    “It’s too late for apologies,” Helmut said.
    “Listen, I need more time. This place was a mess. You know that. Plus, the economy. No one has budgets. Everyone’s scared to spend money. Besides, I was making headway. I think we’re going to keep Odor Eaters.”
    “Please sit down. Please.”
    Charlie sat back down, his head ringing. The room, he noticed, was shrinking. All he could see was Helmut’s monogram. He licked his lips and put his hand over his heart.
    Helmut assessed him. “Are you all right? Do you need water?” He looked Julie’s way. “He needs some water.”
    “I don’t need water.” Charlie closed his eyes and jiggled his arms again. “I just need to get back to work now,” he said quietly. “I have work to do.”
    “You’re through here, Charlie,” Marken said. “We’re firing you. You’re done.”
    Charlie whirled to face him. “Shut up!” he sputtered. “You just shut up. You’re nothing but overhead, you know that? Overhead! An expense. You cost me two hundred and seventy thousand dollars a year to do the job a twenty-five-year-old accountant out of Illinois State could do.”
    “Go to hell,” Marken said.
    “I’ll have none of that!” Helmut slapped his desk and pointed at Marken. “We must remain professional and show due respect.”
    Charlie turned back to him. “Listen, Helmut, I need more time. I’m turning it around.”
    Helmut paused and touched his forehead with a couple of fingers, an unfamiliar look of concern in his eyes. When he spoke again, his voice had softened and held no trace of its usual metallic edge. “I am sorry this did not work out, Charlie. This was all a mistake. I know you tried. I know you did your best. I know that. I know