Jamaicarunnings Serial- "the Girl from the Lane"

The Girl from the Lane- Installment # 15

An air of expectancy hung over the group of executives in the company’s boardroom. The group had gathered for a briefing from the Chairman as to the strategic direction of the company in the face of difficulties in accessing sufficient foreign currency to satisfy the company’s financial needs. In addition the aggressive competition in the domestic market had placed pressure on the business resulting in shrinking margins on existing product lines. There was evidence that the domestic market had matured and there was a need to expand the company’s business internationally.

Sheila had been advised of this meeting a few days before, and wondered why it was necessary for her to attend. However, the chance meeting with Charles Livingstone the previous night had occupied her thoughts since. She had replayed their brief conversation several times since, complete with the images of this handsome stranger changing the flat on the Honda Civic. She recalled the instructions to have the tyre repaired, even more-so, the offer that was extended when he had handed her his business card. She had thought of calling to take up the offer, but decided against it as she din not want to appear to be pushy. She figured that maybe he was just being polite, and meant nothing by the gesture. Even so, each time the extension on her desk rang her heart raced in expectation. Needless to say, at 10.00am when the scheduled meeting began, Charles Livingstone never called.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for taking the time out this morning” the Chairman begun.
“As you all know, we are facing challenging times. Slipping margins on a maturing product range, difficulties in meeting our overseas supplier requirements makes it necessary for an overhaul of our strategies…” he continued. The Chairman went over all the issues as they affected the business in surgical detail. Sheila had had the opportunity to hear him address the staff before, but had never been in a forum such as this. His voice was crisp and its clarity filled the meeting room. She was impressed with his presentation and wondered inwardly if she would ever rise to such heights in such a powerful company.
The presentation from the chairman went on for more than 45 minutes. Sheila begun to notice some uneasiness among a few of the attendees and then the reality struck home. A shuffling of the management was about to be announced.
The company’s Sales Manager was to proceed on pre-retirement leave with immediate effect. His deputy was to succeed him immediately with a mandate by the Chairman to aggressively reassert the company’s dominance in its domestic markets.
“In an effort to secure the company’s long term foreign exchange needs, it was critical that we earn our way,” he continued. “Faye Martin will head up the company’s newly established Export Trading Company also with immediate effect. In order to facilitate a seamless transition, Faye’s Marketing portfolio will be split. The non-food portfolio will be the responsibility of the New Vice –President of Marketing Mr. Michael Roberts. The very important food portfolio will be assigned to our new Vice-President of Marketing. This person has demonstrated the competence, dedication while making an investment in self development which has not gone unnoticed. Ladies and gentlemen, our new Vice President of Marketing with responsibility for our food portfolio, Miss Sheila Sampson.
Had Sheila not been sitting at the time of the announcement, she would have fainted.

The morning had passed very quickly since the announcement, and the entire office was abuzz with the excitement of the new appointments. It was apparent that Faye Martin had been pre-advised of the changes as her office was cleared by mid-day. She had moved onto the corporate floor of the building, and Sheila spent the remainder of the day between meetings and moving into a small second floor office. She now had a direct line as well as an extension. A secretary was promised, but she had to be involved in the selection. Even if she had classes today she would not have been able to make it as the first day as a Junior Executive had taken her long past school hours. The growling in her stomach reminded her that she had not eaten all day. That was when the extension rang. “Sheila Sampson, how may I help,” Sheila asked into the receiver.
“ Hello Miss Sampson, I am transferring a call to you ma’am” the voice on the other end stated. A couple of clicks followed before the call came on the line.
“Hello motorist in distress, did you get your tyre repaired?”
Sheila sank into the leatherette chair behind her large desk, cluttered with boxes and files. She wasn’t hungry anymore.