Erased, a novel
Chapter 29- Behind Closed Doors
Tayeton- My response to Sam's threats was in route, and so was I. I was confident I would make out fine in the matter. This visit wasn't in regards to "Thinking Outloud". I'd gone as far as I could in the dark. I needed to know more about the Fishers, and I thought for sure that Sam could shed some light. They were counties apart, and when I walked thru the doors at Ample Publishing, they were worlds apart. There were no levels at Ample; just a solid story. It could have been any business in any industry. There were no memory lanes, but several long halls and many doors. The walls are white with a thick strip of yellow next to a thin strip of brown that runs through it slightly above the mid-level. There are several people sitting among me. I'm not sure if we're all waiting for Sam. If we are, I'm out of luck. They were all here before me. I think to ask the woman sitting next to me, but she's at peace reading. I rest my nerves and turn to the large television mounted in the corner ahead of me. I've just started to register what's on the screen. I was still in my thoughts, and I'm surprised when Sam walks up and Welcome's me to Ample Publishing. He's at ease and confidently invites me down the hall on the left of the door. We pass two rooms on each side before reaching his office on the left. It's more white walls, brown leather, and the same yellow from outside. It's the color of the cushions both on the sofa and the chairs in front of his desk.
"So what brings you to see me?" He wastes no time and I'm glad.
"I thought you could help. I'm trying to get some information on the Fishers."
"Well, you're a Fisher aren't you?"
"I am, but I'm particularly interested in the Simpleton and Fisher company."
"What about it?"
"I need to know about the relationship between the two."
"The company was founded by my grandfather. Fisher owns twenty percent of the company. It's a lifetime agreement."
"And what does Ample Publishing have to do with it?"
"Nothing. So whatever this is about, keep Ample Publishing out of it." He changed the station on the T.V. and moved his attention away from the conversation.
"Just one more thing. Who do I need to speak to about this."
"My father. He's still the CEO." I thought I'd have to force the words out of his mouth, but he was writing. He slid me the piece of paper he'd written on and I didn't wait another second. I rose from my seat and he quickly tried to pull me backed with the words, "Who are you?"
I didn't bother to answer. I walked out of Ample Publishing and just like deja vu, I had been reintroduced to Simpleton and Fisher. I looked over the note and immediately dialed the number.
I walk back into Simpleton and Fisher less than twenty-four hours after my meeting with Sam. I have a ten o'clock appointment to see Mr. Palmer Simpleton himself. I'd seen his picture on the wall along with other faces I'd never seen. Everyone had behaved as if he was dead and gone, but the tone of his voice and his immediate response said different. I'd also taken the liberty of inviting Kayla along. When we stepped off the elevator it was nearly a standing room. Everyone was buzzing, and both Rick and Cassandra were standing outside their office doors. I'd read the notes and seen some of the reports Wood had collected. I also had the memory of the thick silence that had followed Walter's death in my mind, so I couldn't count the meeting a win just yet. It was the first time I'd seen the door with the words Chief Executive mounted on it open. I stood at the door when we got there, and Mr. Simpleton quickly ushered us in. He's not so old, and looks happy to see me. The window is open and the blinds pulled up. The radio is on, but he shuts it off. There's no computer on his table, just an in coming and out going tray, and a personal legal size planner opened in front of him. There's no dust anywhere, and I'm thinking maybe he'd been in and out since I'd left.
"Is this your wife Tayeton?" He's completely unaware of all that's about to fall into his inbox.
"No Mr. Simpleton. This is one of the company's acquisitions." I can see the bewilderment as it creeps up, and he's just gotten the full load.
"Why don't you shut in that door for me Tayeton?" He unfolds his eyeglasses and places them on his face. I look over at Kayla and her nerves are apparent.
Kayla- I thought at best I'd get a call from Rick Simpleton, but I was more than a fly on the wall; I was sitting at the table. I'd spoken to Ketly, and I knew that the pages I'd found among the copies of the contract, and the terms they'd spelled out were not standard and less than acceptable. Wood and I had reached out to a couple of the authors whose stories had gotten buried under the size of the corruption. We were hoping to get some support, but only one would speak to us and she didn't want to have anything to do with the matter. She'd shared a list of misfortunes that had occurred after she'd made the complaints, and she'd survived to settle for peace. Two of the authors had died; both in car accidents. When Tayeton called to tell me about the meeting, I should have jumped at the opportunity, but I didn't. I had no reason to think it would go well; especially after he'd been fired. I could have just turned away, write my next book and look for another publisher, but I couldn't just stand back and let something so personal... something I gave birth to be ripped from me that way. I'd thought about the events that had brought the whole thing to light, and it encouraged me to take the meeting. I can see that Mr. Simpleton was not the wiser, and that Tayeton had gambled everything on this single moment. When the door closed, I got chills. It's the idea that my life as I know it could be changed forever, and not for the better. Still I sat as Tayeton stated his claim to the Fisher legacy.
Chapter 30- Simple Math
Palmer Simpleton- Have I pulled some strings in my lifetime? Sure I have. Have they all been easy to pull? Well, I can tell you they haven't. It takes guts be the owner of large strings in the first place. My father was a pioneer; a risk taker. Him and his partner built this company with honest grit. Our publishing portfolio goes far beyond books. That's the business of publishing, and contracts are everything. Since the beginning we've offered advanced contracts, but it's never been a hustle. So I'm still stunned. I've just met with Rick and he's been under a rock. I can read his eyes. I have always been able to read them, and although he knows the business of publishing better than anyone I know, his eyes are still weak. It's the reason I agreed to let Sam pass his ownership off to Cassie. I couldn't just put a large vessel like this behind weak eyes. Just the same, when eyes get too strong they can burn through everything. Cassie's on her way in, and someone's going to answer for this disgrace... stealing authorship, slipping terms, and republishing past works under fictitious names. This is the kind of thing that could raise my daddy from the grave.
Her eyes are large like puppy dogs, and her lashes are flirty. When she was a kid she could get anything out of me. Sometimes I still see her as that dirty blonde haired kid, and I'm not done pulling strings for her, but Simpleton and Fisher will outlive her. It will outlive all of us. It's the vision my father passed on to me. I always thought it would be in good hands as long as Sam was around, but he got the feeling that he could do better. It's a spit in the face, and an undeserved one. I'm still trying to wipe it from my lenses, but this will come off a lot easier.
I can also read her eyes. It's a trick you learn in this business, and the moment she turns the corner I can read her fear. It's hidden behind a lot of theatrics; the fancy suit, the jewelry, and her sheepish "Hi daddy." I signal her to sit and she's smart enough to close the door. I have the files Mrs. Singletary brought with her. I've looked them over several times. It's not the kind of operation that could get by her. I have in mind to meet with our legal team, but they're nobody's bosses. I'm starting at the top.
Erased, a novel
Copyright 2018 by Natisha Renee Williams, All Rights Reserved
Grace Call Communications, LLC Copyright 2018
Chapter 29- Behind Closed Doors
Tayeton- My response to Sam's threats was in route, and so was I. I was confident I would make out fine in the matter. This visit wasn't in regards to "Thinking Outloud". I'd gone as far as I could in the dark. I needed to know more about the Fishers, and I thought for sure that Sam could shed some light. They were counties apart, and when I walked thru the doors at Ample Publishing, they were worlds apart. There were no levels at Ample; just a solid story. It could have been any business in any industry. There were no memory lanes, but several long halls and many doors. The walls are white with a thick strip of yellow next to a thin strip of brown that runs through it slightly above the mid-level. There are several people sitting among me. I'm not sure if we're all waiting for Sam. If we are, I'm out of luck. They were all here before me. I think to ask the woman sitting next to me, but she's at peace reading. I rest my nerves and turn to the large television mounted in the corner ahead of me. I've just started to register what's on the screen. I was still in my thoughts, and I'm surprised when Sam walks up and Welcome's me to Ample Publishing. He's at ease and confidently invites me down the hall on the left of the door. We pass two rooms on each side before reaching his office on the left. It's more white walls, brown leather, and the same yellow from outside. It's the color of the cushions both on the sofa and the chairs in front of his desk.
"So what brings you to see me?" He wastes no time and I'm glad.
"I thought you could help. I'm trying to get some information on the Fishers."
"Well, you're a Fisher aren't you?"
"I am, but I'm particularly interested in the Simpleton and Fisher company."
"What about it?"
"I need to know about the relationship between the two."
"The company was founded by my grandfather. Fisher owns twenty percent of the company. It's a lifetime agreement."
"And what does Ample Publishing have to do with it?"
"Nothing. So whatever this is about, keep Ample Publishing out of it." He changed the station on the T.V. and moved his attention away from the conversation.
"Just one more thing. Who do I need to speak to about this."
"My father. He's still the CEO." I thought I'd have to force the words out of his mouth, but he was writing. He slid me the piece of paper he'd written on and I didn't wait another second. I rose from my seat and he quickly tried to pull me backed with the words, "Who are you?"
I didn't bother to answer. I walked out of Ample Publishing and just like deja vu, I had been reintroduced to Simpleton and Fisher. I looked over the note and immediately dialed the number.
I walk back into Simpleton and Fisher less than twenty-four hours after my meeting with Sam. I have a ten o'clock appointment to see Mr. Palmer Simpleton himself. I'd seen his picture on the wall along with other faces I'd never seen. Everyone had behaved as if he was dead and gone, but the tone of his voice and his immediate response said different. I'd also taken the liberty of inviting Kayla along. When we stepped off the elevator it was nearly a standing room. Everyone was buzzing, and both Rick and Cassandra were standing outside their office doors. I'd read the notes and seen some of the reports Wood had collected. I also had the memory of the thick silence that had followed Walter's death in my mind, so I couldn't count the meeting a win just yet. It was the first time I'd seen the door with the words Chief Executive mounted on it open. I stood at the door when we got there, and Mr. Simpleton quickly ushered us in. He's not so old, and looks happy to see me. The window is open and the blinds pulled up. The radio is on, but he shuts it off. There's no computer on his table, just an in coming and out going tray, and a personal legal size planner opened in front of him. There's no dust anywhere, and I'm thinking maybe he'd been in and out since I'd left.
"Is this your wife Tayeton?" He's completely unaware of all that's about to fall into his inbox.
"No Mr. Simpleton. This is one of the company's acquisitions." I can see the bewilderment as it creeps up, and he's just gotten the full load.
"Why don't you shut in that door for me Tayeton?" He unfolds his eyeglasses and places them on his face. I look over at Kayla and her nerves are apparent.
Kayla- I thought at best I'd get a call from Rick Simpleton, but I was more than a fly on the wall; I was sitting at the table. I'd spoken to Ketly, and I knew that the pages I'd found among the copies of the contract, and the terms they'd spelled out were not standard and less than acceptable. Wood and I had reached out to a couple of the authors whose stories had gotten buried under the size of the corruption. We were hoping to get some support, but only one would speak to us and she didn't want to have anything to do with the matter. She'd shared a list of misfortunes that had occurred after she'd made the complaints, and she'd survived to settle for peace. Two of the authors had died; both in car accidents. When Tayeton called to tell me about the meeting, I should have jumped at the opportunity, but I didn't. I had no reason to think it would go well; especially after he'd been fired. I could have just turned away, write my next book and look for another publisher, but I couldn't just stand back and let something so personal... something I gave birth to be ripped from me that way. I'd thought about the events that had brought the whole thing to light, and it encouraged me to take the meeting. I can see that Mr. Simpleton was not the wiser, and that Tayeton had gambled everything on this single moment. When the door closed, I got chills. It's the idea that my life as I know it could be changed forever, and not for the better. Still I sat as Tayeton stated his claim to the Fisher legacy.
Chapter 30- Simple Math
Palmer Simpleton- Have I pulled some strings in my lifetime? Sure I have. Have they all been easy to pull? Well, I can tell you they haven't. It takes guts be the owner of large strings in the first place. My father was a pioneer; a risk taker. Him and his partner built this company with honest grit. Our publishing portfolio goes far beyond books. That's the business of publishing, and contracts are everything. Since the beginning we've offered advanced contracts, but it's never been a hustle. So I'm still stunned. I've just met with Rick and he's been under a rock. I can read his eyes. I have always been able to read them, and although he knows the business of publishing better than anyone I know, his eyes are still weak. It's the reason I agreed to let Sam pass his ownership off to Cassie. I couldn't just put a large vessel like this behind weak eyes. Just the same, when eyes get too strong they can burn through everything. Cassie's on her way in, and someone's going to answer for this disgrace... stealing authorship, slipping terms, and republishing past works under fictitious names. This is the kind of thing that could raise my daddy from the grave.
Her eyes are large like puppy dogs, and her lashes are flirty. When she was a kid she could get anything out of me. Sometimes I still see her as that dirty blonde haired kid, and I'm not done pulling strings for her, but Simpleton and Fisher will outlive her. It will outlive all of us. It's the vision my father passed on to me. I always thought it would be in good hands as long as Sam was around, but he got the feeling that he could do better. It's a spit in the face, and an undeserved one. I'm still trying to wipe it from my lenses, but this will come off a lot easier.
I can also read her eyes. It's a trick you learn in this business, and the moment she turns the corner I can read her fear. It's hidden behind a lot of theatrics; the fancy suit, the jewelry, and her sheepish "Hi daddy." I signal her to sit and she's smart enough to close the door. I have the files Mrs. Singletary brought with her. I've looked them over several times. It's not the kind of operation that could get by her. I have in mind to meet with our legal team, but they're nobody's bosses. I'm starting at the top.
Erased, a novel
Copyright 2018 by Natisha Renee Williams, All Rights Reserved
Grace Call Communications, LLC Copyright 2018
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