“It's all you,” he said, handing me a microphone.
“Thank you all for participating in the Quantum Cyber Winter Festival,” I said, stepping up onto the stage. “And thank you to theTechBizcommittee for your time. I just came in to help decorate and bake and convince Owen to free-flow the booze!”
There were several cheers.
“I'll eat your cupcakes!” someone yelled.
I laughed. “In the restaurant business, we like to pride ourselves on having a close-knit culture, from the family meals before dinner service starts to helping out our fellow chefs in need. While working with you all at Quantum Cyber, I see the same type of relationships, the desire to innovate and be creative. And yes, you all do drink as much as any crazy restaurant workers!”
There was more cheering.
“Open a restaurant!” several guys in front of the stage chanted. I grinned at them.
“We have one more surprise. Since your CEO recently adopted a puppy, and I hear that dogs are very popular here, we have a little contest set up outside to raise money for the local animal shelter.”
I turned to look at him.
“Owen, I hope you brought your swimsuit!”
58
Owen
Ifollowed Holly outside with the herd of employees. We went across the street to the park.
Near the fountain, a giant dunking tank had been set up with a chair affixed to a lever above the tank. A layer of ice coated the water.
“Are you okay with this?” Holly asked. “I guess we could always make Walker do it.”
“Uh, no. No way. I'm a summer person,” my COO said, backing away.
“Really? With all that blond hair?” Holly teased.
“I tan. I'm of Scandinavian descent!” Walker retorted.
“I'm good,” I assured Holly, stepping behind a curtain to take off my suit and pull on the swim trunks Holly handed me. They were decorated with multiple Santas lying on lawn chairs, shirtless, with beers in their hands.
“Owen, if you could please take a seat,” Holly said, her voice reverberating around the park through the sound system.
“Now, everyone, if I can direct your attention to the screen. As you can see, the counter is set at one million dollars. This is the amount the local animal shelter needs to expand its facility. The aim is to help keep more dogs off the cold streets. We have this event livestreaming, so all you viewers can donate as well. Once the counter hits the goal, Owen goes into the water.”
“What if no one donates?” I asked Holly out of the side of my mouth.
“They will,” she said confidently. “I've been pimping it out on social media. I told everyone it would involve you wet and shirtless. There are several mom groups that are very interested.”
“Yeah, but that's a lot of money.” I was about to offer to just give her the money, but when I looked at the screen, I noticed that the numbers were already creeping up.
“Besides,” Holly added with a smirk, “Jack said he really wants to see you fall into the water.”
I looked out into the crowd. All my brothers were pointing and laughing and taking pictures.
“So I'm not worried.”
The counter climbed up and up. The crowd chanted. “Two hundred thousand! Three hundred thousand!”
Rudolph barked.
“I think a few of the Svenssons are also donating big amounts,” Holly said innocently. I peered down.
