HADASSAH (Episode 3)

 “If it’s Terence and Big Ben, come in. If not, make a U-turn. I do not want to see any other person!” he stated authoritatively.

The door creaked and a man will a plump face peeked in. His eyes locked immediately with that of Mr Adrien, who wore an expressionless face. He opened the door halfway and walked in, followed by a slender and taller man.

               “Good morning sir” they chorused.

Mr Adrien motioned to them to have a seat. He sighed deeply and leaned forward. He extended his hand in Hadassah’s and she walked briskly to him and placed her iPad in his large palm. He took it, his eyes glued to the plus-sized man sitting before him, while also moving his eyes to the slender man sitting beside him. They both looked uneasy, as they couldn’t get a hang of the situation.

He operated it and tossed it across the table to them without saying a word. The men looked at each other suspiciously and took the iPad. Their eyes widened immediately they read the content and they immediately went on their knees. It was quite difficult for Big Ben as he couldn’t get himself on his knees on time, but after several struggles, he was down on his knees.

               Mr Adrien smiled, “I take it that the content is true then”

               “No sir, We…”

               “There’s no need for an explanation. I do not want one. I don’t want to hear anything from you both. I’ve heard everything I need to hear and know from that email”

Before anyone could speak, his intercom rang. He picked it up and said, “Let them in”

Big Ben spoke, “Sir, it’s really not what you think. It was Terrence that brainwashed me, He…”

               “Ahhh, are you mad or something? Look, we’re in this together. Don’t even try to put the blame on me. If I brainwashed you, you definitely must be a fool, because how can I talk you into killing someone and you’d agree?” Terrence replied with a very hard face and a coarse voice.

Hadassah’s jaw dropped. She was shocked. While Mr Adrien leaned back on his chair, his jaw dropped as well. He looked more surprised than he looked angry, then he let out a laugh that had expressions in it.

While he was searching for what to say, there was a knock on the door.

Four muscular and armed police officers walked in and saluted Mr Adrien, who smiled back at them.

               “These are the criminals, and guess what, they’re not even remorseful, especially this tiny one. You need to hear what he just said,” he said and laughed again.

               “We were right behind the door sir, and we heard everything” One of the police officers replied with a smile.

Terrence stood up all by himself. He wore an “I don’t care” look, while Big Ben had to be helped up. He on the other hand looked sad and tears were already trickling down his perfectly round cheeks.

They were cuffed, and Big Ben was begging, while Terrence was waiting to be led away.

               “Thank you,” Mr Adrien said and nodded once. They saluted him once again and whisked the men away.

Some weeks later, promotion letters were going around the company. One of such people who got promoted was Hank. He got promoted to the post of the Managing Director of the company.

*****

Michael, Hadassah’s mentor in order to be closer to her applied for the post left by Big Ben and Terrence. To both his happiness and that of Hadassah, he got the job.

Hank on the other hand wasn’t just the MD in the company’s headquarters, he oversaw every other branch of the company. Everyone in the company was answerable to him, except for Hadassah and the boss. He also made sure he got acquainted with the junior staff as well.

However, Michael didn’t seem to like him. They never saw eye to eye. His colleagues had inquired of him why he wouldn’t respect the MD, he would brush off the question and walk out on them. Two of his colleagues were discussing with him in the lobby on one of such occasions when Hank walked in on them.

               “I don’t know why you guys wouldn’t let me be. It’s my choice whom I choose to respect and whom I choose not to respect. It’s my problem,” Michael said.

               “What we don’t understand is why you wouldn’t respect the MD. As in the M-D. You just got this job, seems like you’re ready to lose it. What has the man done to you?” the first colleague asked.

               “He is just so full of himself. Is it because he has a master's and a PhD degree?”

               “Which one do you have?”

As he was about to reply, Hank walked into the lobby, shoulder high and looking around as if the men standing by weren’t there. He was staring at them, and they were staring at him as well.

“You guys can’t greet?” he pointed out, and immediately, Michael walked out on him without acknowledging him. His colleagues were surprised, and Hank’s eyes widened as they watched him walk away,

               “Sir, that was what we were just discussing with him. I don’t understand how an ordinary National Diploma holder can be this rude,” one of them said, shaking his head in disappointment.

               “Hmmm” Hank stared at them, nodding simultaneously, looked towards the exit Michael took and walked away. He went straight to the Boss’ office.

He knocked and was asked to come in.

               “Good day sir” he greeted and stood.

Mr Adrien was busy going through some documents on his table. He didn’t look up. He just nodded and motioned to him to have his seat. After a couple of minutes, he looked up and adjusted his glasses, leaned back on his chair and wore a straight face.

               “Hank… How can I help you?”

               “Well done sir,” he smiled and continued. “Nothing much sir. I just wanted to bring something to your notice sir. It’s about some of our employees”

               “Our? Mr Hank, this is MY Company. Article “the” would be most preferable in that sentence. You’re also my employee. So…”

               “I’m sorry sir. I meant some of the employees”

               “That’s better. So what about them?”

               ”Sir, I noticed most of our… the junior staffs have just an OND certificate. Most of them do not have the desired University certificate; talk more of a Master's degree. They are not competent and do not work efficiently, neither do they function effectively because they don’t have the required training and understanding”

Mr Adrien stared at him. He was thinking hard, but expecting him to say more. Hank understood and continued.

               “I thought we… they could be laid off, but we can make it seem like we want them to go and further their studies. There are eligible graduates roaming the streets that would function effectively and facilitate the growth of this company, as they most likely have an in-depth understanding because of their certificates. The employees with lesser qualifications should be laid off. Sir, it’s really slowing down work, as sometimes, we’d have to teach some of them how to do their work by organizing workshops upon workshops, trainings upon trainings”

Hank wasn’t sure he made sense because he was pissed at Michael. He had always noticed that he didn’t accord him the necessary respect one would give to the Managing Director of a company as big as S & S. However, he had let it slide, until this one time, and he wouldn’t let the disrespect rub off on other junior staffs. He decided to take a step that would permanently solve the problem. Someone with a higher qualification will know better than to disrespect him.

Mr Adrien looked away from him, leaned forward and said, “I noticed. I just thought it didn’t matter because work is going on smoothly, and the money is rolling in. It’s okay. You can effect it right away, and come for my signature if you need it. Also, let it be effective from the start of next month. Meaning, let them use up this month so they can get their salaries, but they shouldn’t bother coming back next month. We can use the extra time they spend here to send the job vacancies info out. I believe you know how to handle the rest”

Hank sat up happily in his chair and wore a broad smile. He was beaming with smiles like a child about to be offered candy.

               “Sir, it’s going to include the branches as well, and not just the headquarters here”

               “Do what you think is best for the company!” Mr Adrien said with a tone of finality and Hank immediately stood from his chair, took a bow, and left immediately for his office to prepare the sack letters. He was going to call them dismissal letters, but he needed the people involved to be broken upon reading just the headline of the letter. He called in his secretary and dictated to her what to do.