Highest Boiling Point
Alan
“Oh yeah, I don’t know why people get so easily offended lately, but seriously, nobody’s getting hurt, right?”
The man on the other end of the phone rambles about general ethics, social norms, and every other bit of nonsense.I stay silent and swallow all his unhelpful lectures, my eyes rolling upward every time he recites sections on ad broadcasting.
“All right, sir, I get it.How about we meet to discuss this, hm?Face-to-face in a three Michelin star restaurant will feel different, yeah?”
Usually that trick works with a little hush money.What else do they want but cash?This controversy is completely baseless.
“No, no, I’m not trying to bribe you, sir.I just want to discuss and find clues to resolve this controversy.”
Shit.This one’s persistent.The high-ranking official keeps ranting and my head starts to throb from the nonsense he’s spewing.Why do they seem to hate me?I should be getting props for airing a funny, creatively engaging ad.Hell, our team might even win the annual advertising trophy for this.
“All right, all right.I understand.I’ll send an official letter as soon as possible.”I hang up.
My teeth grit and I chuck my phone at the wall.Damn it all.Everything’s a mess.Mallory and Roger don’t even pick up my calls.Fuck.
My phone rings again.Shit.Before I close one problem another pops up.
I can’t understand why people are losing it over an ad that ran on a rented LED screen for less than a minute.It’s not even on a streaming channel.What’s the big deal?No kids were at the event yesterday, no animals were harmed, nothing.
Journalists keep calling too.For exposure, I’ll entertain them.I pick my phone up from the floor and answer.
“Hey, how are you?”I greet, forcing a bright tone.“Oh yeah.Have you seen the ad?What do you think?”
The man on the other end starts checking boxes and asking confirmatory questions.I answer patiently while I sip my chamomile tea.It always calms me down.
“Yeah, Fenella’s incredible.She’s professional as hell toward me regardless of whatever personal stuff might be happening right now.”
I scratch my head at his ridiculous suggestions.He wants to do more controversial projects with us.Is he out of his mind?Can’t he see my office is burning?Opportunistic, absolutely.
“Listen, right now Fenella and I are dealing with the ad fallout.We’re not taking on anything else.Rain check?”
The reporter loses it, starts ranting and throwing threats into the air like confetti—hoaxes, dirt on me and Fenella, whatever he can conjure on the spot.
“Please, do as your heart desires, sir.I get it.Most of the stuff you write is trash anyway.”I hang up.
My lips press together into a thin line.I kill the ringer and switch my phone to silent.Oh, what’s this?Laird sent me a message.
My eyes scan the text and laughter bursts out of me, sharp and involuntary.Is he threatening me?Goddamn.How dare he.What does he know about me?Nothing.
I call Mike.“Where are you?”
“At home.”
“Call Jessy and make sure he’s with Fenella.Drag them far away from Gene’s office,” I say as I start shoving things into my bag.
“For what?”he asks in his usual stupid tone.
“Someone’s threatening to kill me.”I don’t know how serious it is, but you never know when someone snaps.Better to be cautious, be prepared, and get them as far away as possible.
“So you don’t want Jessy and Fenella to see you die?”
“For God’s sake, Mike, stop with the nonsense!”I snap.“What’s the point if I die?Will they pity me if I’m hurt?Do you think that’s funny, Mike?!”
“Uh, okay.Sorry, I thought they’d pity you.I’ll call Jessy and get them somewhere away from the office.”Mike stammers.
