Belly Literary Universe (part 1)

Kelri's Gain Part 39: Ambition

The Secret Advisor's email reached Kelri just as she sat down at her desk. "So? How did it go. I didn't find any record of you being fired so I assume the arbitration went well."

"Odd that you message me first. Usually you wait for me to come to you," Kelri typed out her reply on her phone.

"I'm patient. Usually the advice I give is to avoid problems like this before they happen. I prefer to be proactive instead of reactive. So, given the circumstances, I am eager to hear how the arbitration went."

"It went well." Kelri sighed. Do I really have to give him credit? I did the foot work. I came up with and presented my own arguments too. Ugh. Fuck it. She added to her message. "I think your suggestions, along with the arguments I made, worked extremely well. Hugo wasn't happy. One of the Judges even praised me for my confidence about the whole matter."

"I'm glad to hear it! The outcome was far from certain, so I'm glad you were able to pull it off."

"What? 'Far from certain?' You mean you thought that could have failed!" Kelri scowled at her phone.

"I didn't tell you specific chances of success because it wouldn't have been useful. People don't properly understand statistics, and when they hear a specific probability they change how they think about things. I told you that the things you ended up doing would increase your chances of success. Consider that your chance of success without your direct action was close to zero. You pulled it off! Congratulations!"

Kelri huffed but couldn't find anyway to disagree. "Yay for me. I made the case that Hugo was just hiring women he found attractive and he wanted to get rid of me for not being attractive to him anymore. Apparently it worked."

"You're probably not all that far off. I'm glad to hear about your victory. Unfortunately I don't know how much time we have to relax. You mentioned that Hugo wasn't pleased. I can't imagine he's notscheming to get rid of you now. We have more work to do."

"Yeah... he said 'we're not finished' is a super intimidating voice." Kelri groaned. I can't just let hugo plot against me. Or Connor. Or Maia. Ugh what is he going to want now? "You have something in mind?"

"I always have plans. You're going to get your boss fired and you're going to take his place."

"How?"

"I have a few ideas but I need to take time to research them."

"As much as I'd love a promotion and getting rid of that scumbag; isn't that getting a bit close to harming people? Connor always said that you've never hurt any one? Well some guy pulled a gun on us, and now you're talking about firing my boss for what he did to me?"

"It is a moral quandary for sure. Just like my parents said: I'm flawed like everyone else. I tentatively hold to pacifism, but if someone is trying to hurt me I will defend myself. This extends to people I care about. Another thing to consider is the reasoning for action. But to dig at what you said in a more direct manner: 'isn't that getting a bit close to harming people?'. Is it though? He's tried to harm you for things that you are either not responsible for, or aren't any of his business. I see it as justice. He has connections and credentials to get hired somewhere else easily. And if he fails to do so, I can always offer him some advice to get him back on his feet. But his continued interference in your life isn't something I can allow."

"Would your really switch sides so quickly? So brazenly?"

"Not liking fat women is not a capital crime. He deserves punishment, but in my opinion not destitution. The most just thing in this situation is to see him removed from his position of power."

"I guess..."

"Regardless, moral debates and small talk will not solve this problem. I'll need time to think up a solid plan. In the meantime, enjoy your next eating contest!"