Big Corp Inc. (G/T)

Part 34: Manager Meeting

Mr. Hardon entered the elevator with Candy in his hand and rode it up to the top floor of the monumental Big Corp building, the sixth floor. The elevator dinged and the doors opened, revealing a reception area with luxurious couches, plush Persian rugs, and rich sandalwood tables. The opulence of the furnishings was a stark contrast to the basic desks, minimal carpeting, and cheap, thin partitions that comprised the cubicles on the third floor. Candy felt like she was entering a new circle of influence up here, a new world. A few well-dressed Giants were scattered around the area, conversing and smoking cigars.

Before Mr. Hardon had the chance to commingle with his fellow Giants, the elevator brought up another passenger, a huge, imposing man who was both very tall and broad. Candy immediately sensed he was someone of importance by his dramatic effect on the other Giant men in the room. He had an aura of power and authority that made the others pay attention to him. Their body language around him was subservient, obedient, their demeanor muted and warped. He ignored his inferiors and strode over to Mr. Hardon.

"Richard, did you bring the human like I asked?" the man asked in a deep, commanding voice. Candy realized right away that this Giant must be the CEO.

"Yes, Mr. Wolfe," Mr. Hardon replied. He opened his hand and showed Candy to him. Candy tried her best to appear professional and unafraid, despite her bizarre clothing.

"Let me see her," the CEO ordered, and without warning he reached over and grasped Candy roughly in his massive hand. Candy repressed a cry of alarm, but she couldn't stop herself from trembling as he examined her with his sharp, cold eyes, hard like iron. She looked back up at his gigantic features fearfully, taking in his salt-and-pepper beard, his bushy eyebrows, his nose reminiscent of an eagle's beak, and the sizable dome of his forehead accentuated by a receding hairline. He had a serious intensity to him that frightened Candy. He regarded her like an object or commodity, rather than as a person.

While he looked down at her, his visage settled into a mirthless, thin-lipped smile. "Good work, Richard," he praised, handing her back to Mr. Hardon. Candy never thought she'd be in the situation where she'd be relieved to be back in her boss's hand. "Let's go to the conference room and start this meeting." His words were an order, not a suggestion, and the Giant managers all converged into a room with a long, polished wooden table. The CEO sat at the head of the table, and Mr. Hardon sat on the chair to his right, since he was going to be leading the demonstration.

"Good morning, gentleman," Mr. Wolfe began, projecting his authoritative voice over the entire room. "If you recall from our prior meetings, we have started selling a new product designed for humans. Richard here, and-" He glanced down at Candy. "Richard and his small associate, will now demonstrate the utility of this product."

Mr. Hardon cleared his throat and stood up, placing Candy on the table for all to behold. She felt very exposed, intimidated, and above all, very, very small. She was surrounded by huge Giant men towering over her around the table, all staring at her, eyeballing her body barely covered in clothes with interest. They were all wealthy, well-groomed men in expensive suits, not the sort of crowd Candy was used to being around. She was underdressed and out of place. She didn't even have shoes on. She huddled her arms around her body and tried to control her shaking so she wouldn't show how terrified she was.

"As you all can see, the human here is wearing special clothing for her... journey. Acid-proof, of course. Our clients will have the option to purchase these clothes as part of a kit, which also comes with a special rescue rope for extraction," Mr. Hardon expounded to the assembled group. Candy didn't have the faintest idea what her boss was talking about. Journey? Acid-proof? Extraction? He spoke as if she were traveling somewhere. The other Giants listened with a rapturous fascination that was incomprehensible to Candy. What was she missing here?