Julien “JuJu” Arlier looked out of the window of his corner office, located on the top floor of the high-tech building bearing his name. Arlier Software was one of the hottest companies on NASDAQ. It had taken him 12 years, but now his company was mature enough to be acquired. Cleverly pitching the big software conglomerates against one other, he expected to easily get $150M., even during the current economic downturn. He had leveraged all his assets, and would face financial ruin if the deal fell through. New ownership would result in a wave of lay-offs, but as they say: “you cannot make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.”
It was approaching midnight and looking out of his window, he saw his office reflected. He liked that view – a surreal mixture of his reality inside with the harsh world outside. He smiled, savoring the moment. The building was quiet; even tech support and Q&A had gone home, punching in far more hours than their contracts demanded. C’est la vie. The pyramids were also built with hard work; abide his “high-tech slaves” were far better treated. Staring out of the window, he noticed an apparition behind him. He turned around, but didn’t see anybody. Maybe a mirage? After so many hours crunching numbers and pouring over contracts, his mind might start playing tricks on him. He faced the window again, and frowned when he saw that the apparition was still there. Squinting his eyes, he realized that it was a man who looked vaguely familiar…..He concentrated, searching his memory. Wasn’t that the guy, who had perished in his cubicle, somewhere back in 2000? He forgot his name, but remembered the widow. She had made some wild accusations claiming that the company had driven her husband into an early grave. Humbug of course, and the legal department had quickly put a stop to that!
He decided that he needed a smoke. Due to those annoying anti-smoking laws, he couldn’t smoke in his office. He went to the sliding doors that opened into his own private balcony. Another perk of being the top dog! What was the expression? “It’s good to be King”! He stepped outside, drinking in the spectacular view over Silicon Valley, the Valley of the High-Tech Kings. He reached in his shirt pocket and took out a package of Gauloises. He pulled one out and lit it with his gold Dunhill lighter, a gift from his trophy wife. He took a deep puff and filled his lungs with the aroma of tobacco. Ah, what a pleasure! Those health nuts just didn’t know what they were missing. “Bonsoir”, a voice next to him said in a heavy American accent. JuJu turned his head and looked into the pale face of the man he had been thinking of. “You remember my name?” the man asked. JuJu shrugged his shoulders in good Gallic fashion. “John Langtry, one of your programmers. I was responsible for the Y2K software product suite.” The hairs on the back of JuJu’s hands and arms were standing on end. Even a jaded executive like him didn’t like meeting ghosts, especially if they might have a hidden agenda. “What do you want?” JuJu asked brusquely. No need to beat around the proverbial bush. John gave him an ominous smile, mulling over the answer. JuJu took another puff. The tobacco entered his bloodstream, giving him the familiar feeling of relaxation. “You will get what you deserve”, John predicted. “Tais toi, tu est mort!” JuJu said, slipping into his native tongue. John smirked and slowly vanished, leaving JuJu with a stale taste in his mouth.
M. Arlier, Founder and CEO of Arlier Software straightened his tie and looked into the TV camera. He was sitting at a long table, flanked by financial analysts and top honchos from MicroSun Corp, the new owner of his company. They were going to officially sign the contract then and there. Enjoying the best day of his life, JuJu suddenly noticed a familiar face next to the cameraman. John winked at him and mouthed: “just wait…” JuJu frowned, wondering what a dead person could do to him. As soon as he started his well-rehearsed speech, broadcasted live in 50 countries, JuJu saw John slowly gliding towards him. Stopping in front of him, John reached out and fished a Gauloise from JuJu’s pocket. He lit it, and slowly and deliberately blew smoke in JuJu’s face. The cigarette smoke swirled around JuJu, who started to gasp. The smoke became thicker and thicker, entering his bloodstream and filling his lungs. He was slowly suffocating and desperately grasped for air. His vision blurred and his heart slowed down with each beat, until complete darkness surrounded him. His eyes rolled back and he fell down. He was dead before his body hit the table he was sitting at. All pandemonium broke loose and TV ratings went through the roof.
John’s widow watched the demise of her nemesis live on TV. She noticed how JuJu’s crumpled body was in exactly the same position as her husband’s when he was found in his cubicle. She sneered; the greedy bastard finally got what he deserved! They had forced John, against medical advice, to work day and night under the constant threat of dismissal. They had known about his heart condition, and instead of showing any sympathy for driving him into an early grave, they had denied her financial benefits claiming that “he had left the company of his own free will”. JuJu’s lawyers had warned her that any legal action would result into her financial ruin. Lifting her glass of white wine, she silently toasted her beloved departed husband.
At the same time, Paris-based Mme Arlier polished off another glass of Veuve Cliquot. Since JuJu had died before the contract was signed, she was left penniless. For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw a man reflected in her dining room window, smiling knowingly at her. But that would be crazy….non?
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© Debra Daumier 2009
Debra Daumier is a European marketing professional and lawyer. She is an avid blogger and marketing writer, and has written several articles that have been published by leading trade magazines. She is currently writing various articles as well as a mystery novel. She loves reading, writing, and fitness. www.debradaumier.com
She can be reached at info@debradaumier.com or via her blog www.debradaumier.blogspot.com
Tags: Debra Daumier
July 20th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Enjoyed this one, Debra. Oh, and the man reflected in my eyes is strictly coincidence.