Blinded by the Brass Ring by Patricia Scarlett

Author:Patricia Scarlett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Baraka Books

PART II

EIGHT

Boss Lady

Chantal had quickly settled into her new role. She flaunted her ascension with a makeover of her office: a giant desk with a throne-like chair, framed abstract prints on the walls, a new bookcase littered with paraphernalia gathered from trade shows over the years, and a new planter for her wheatgrass. Not contented with only an office makeover, she extended it to include herself. She was no longer to be addressed as Chantal but as Miss Mercier. This elevated title was supported by a completely new wardrobe consisting of barely-there skirts, sausage-casing-like jackets, garish chandelier earrings and robust perfumes that announced her arrival long before she came into view. The look was completed with six-inch stiletto heels.

From day one Chantal wielded her authority. She struck the first blow when she demanded daily phone logs from all staff under her supervision; office and sales territory re-assignments followed. Daily, she announced new initiatives, all flash, no substance—costly dinners to attract buyers of programs that TV3 did not sell, skids of glossy coffee table books too costly to ship that were gathering dust in TV3’s storage, a glitzy promotional campaign for a series that couldn’t be sold internationally. Periodically, Marg would abort one of these initiatives. The rest of the time, Chantal ran amok. She terrorized Jewelle, Heather and other department personnel with late night phone calls and never-ending tasks of a personal nature—arranging furniture delivery for her home, appliance repairs, finding plumbers and carpenters, not to mention post office runs to send and pick up personal packages. They had all begun to feel as if they had two full-time jobs: one with TV3 and another as Chantal’s personal concierge.

Early one morning, Chantal summoned Jewelle to her office. As she walked in, Jewelle prayed for patience and discipline to hold her tongue. Queen Chantal was leaning back on her throne with an amused and self-satisfied look on her heavily made-up face. A brown letter-size folder sat in the middle of her desk.

“Jewelle, sit down,” she commanded, motioning with her hand to the chair that she had placed in front of her desk. “I am really pleased to see how well you are adjusting to the change in leadership,” said Chantal, leaning forward to open the folder.

Jewelle remained silent.

“I have been reviewing your sales record. You have done well. But as you know TV3 continues to experience a slump in ad revenues and we, TV3 Sales and Distribution Inc., are expected to make up the shortfall. Marg had increased our targets by $500,000 Canadian. However, we now need to generate more than $500,000 in additional revenues. As of today, your sales target has been increased by an additional $200,000. Based on your track record, I’m sure that you can do it. Just let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you,” she said with an air of finality.

Jewelle listened passively as Chantal chirped on and on. She was trying to process news of yet another increase in her sales target.

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