“Send him in.”
The door swung open and Mr. Lay strolled in, armed with a pen and the contract we’d hammered out together last week.
The terms were generous and more than fair.
Twenty-two percent layoffs with severance packages.
Two hundred million dollar investment with another hundred million a year later.
Crisis averted.
Company goes public.
Life goes on.
“Ready when you are, Mr. Cross.” He unwrapped the box, revealing a glittering gold pen. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to wait to get this deal done.”
I took the pen from him and set it down.
Then I picked up the contract and tore it in half.
“What the hell?” He snapped. “We stayed up all night working on your last-minute demands.”
“I’ve had a change of heart since last week,” I said. “I can’t lay off anyone.”
“Can’t or won’t, Mr. Cross?”
“Both.” I set the ruined sheets down. “I made someone I love a promise, and I’ll lose her if I agree to this.”
“And?” He looked like he’d swallowed something sour.
“Not only that,” I said, “but I figured out a different way to run this company, so…I’ll validate your parking and cover any travel fees on your way back to California.”
“If you think for one moment that I’m going to leave this city without a deal being signed, you’re sadly mistaken.”
“I don’t think that at all, Mr. Lay,” I said. “Iknowthat, and you do too, because you’re smart enough not to threaten a man who’s worth more than quadruple your net worth.”
“The same man who was begging for people to save him from a bad deal, you mean?”
“I’m going to let that smart comment slide,” I said. “Don’t make the mistake of trying for another one.”
“The Wall Street Journalreporters are on their way here right now, Mr. Cross,” he said. “We’re supposed to take a picture with the signed contract together.”
“Would you like to take that photo in front of the lobby water fountain instead?” I asked. “The coins have never shone brighter…”
“I would like for you to honor our deal by keeping your word and not being a liar.”
“I honestly don’t care about lying to you,” I said. “There’s someone else I lied to first who didn’t deserve it.”
“I’m telling the reporters everything.” He clenched his jaw. “Everything.”
“Okay, then.” I headed to the door. “In that case I’mnotvalidating your parking or your travel, but I’ll be generous and let you use this room while I’m away. You can talk to those reporters as long as you want. Well, except…”
He crossed his arms.
“We did sign an NDA, so if you’re stupid enough to violate that, I will sue you into the seventh circle of hell and you’ll never be able to invest with anyone ever again.”
“Fine.” He looked rattled, but he shook his head. “I meant what I said, Harrison.”
