AROUND THE HEART IN 80 DAYS

Twenty Seven

Herman Schwartz studied the organized listing Edrei handed him. It was the gazillionth time he was studying it. Over and over again until he could come to terms with the locations their products had hit.

Edrei noticed the man was looking a bit tired. With Christmas at hand, they all settled in the fact that the yearly outcome was going to be low. Not as low as it had been on their lowest year but certainly never going to meet up with the Egypt Boom. What was Edrei's greatest joy, was that Garrett Fitcher was in charge for the whole year's accomplishment, good and bad. Yes, yes, call it avoiding blame and being the smaller person, but it was his first time of looking at his current position in a new light. Even though they had shared responsibility, Edrei's three months of being in charge was a raise in the charts contrasting against the sales dip. But since it was their first year in a long time of not meeting up to standard, nobody was getting laid off. Not even Garrett.

Darn it! Petty, but darn it still.

"Rideau, I won't lie, it is an impressive segmentation from the tasting room for those Maersk executives. But are you certain we should pull through with those people? I hear their retail winery doesn't do so good in the public market."

"Data gathered from same public shows a forty-nine percent preference for CR. That's public as in middle-classed."

"Why would their executives pay greatly for something with easy access to people below financial status."

"I know we are not one to jump into these things. Slowly we'll climb their ladder. They have reasonable sales. We are introducing CR Wine in their midst."

"Who represented at their Wine Tasting event ."

"Mercedes."

Herman professionally slapped Edrei's shoulder and handed him the manila folder. "I hope we didn't waste staff on that Maersk journey. And I'm sure the year's financial statements are almost done?" He walked away without needing an answer.
Herman Schwartz was hardly ever around the office and was supposed to be on his mega family stay-in vacation at his estate at the vineyard for the coming holiday season but it was only mandatory for a business owner to check up on his administering department of the winery. And even though there was absolutely no hope of greater gain that year, it only meant whatever proceeds that should have been gotten and wasn't gotten would achieved in the next year, and then some.

Edrei got excited. Maybe he could achieve this feat and finally prove to his co-workers that he was more capable than they thought. Funny how he didn't care about all that two months back. He must remind himself of his control.

He walked briskly to his office again, never letting his demeanour counter no matter what.
"Deuce, I'll send you an e-mail. I need it proofread and printed out and distributed to the department. It's our goal for the next year. I want it done today, got it?"

Deuce who was already speed-typing to an earlier request he asked for politely nodded and gave the 'yes sir' reply she had diligently given since the day he almost fired her. It was good. She was more up and doing.

Relaxing into his chair, he let out a tensed breath and reached up to adjust his tie. Such a challenge before him. Exciting.

Risky.

He prayed with all would go well with this one, though Colorado was simply one in the million locations they had acquired. He could share the gist with Jacqueline, since there was nobody outside the office to really talk to about work life.

Jacqueline. He lazily peered at his Mac screen through his glasses. Not feeling in the mood to burn out totally, he stretched a hand out to his intercom. "Deuce, iced tea please." He needed something stronger but no way in hell he would boldly send his receptionist on a scotch run where every body could see. It would be called extravagant spending and the company was looking for how to not waste money.