‘I don’t get it,’ I frowned, sitting next to my business partner in the fancy lobby. We were both looking up at an obtuse marble sculpture, a collection of abstract shapes orbiting the vague shape of a man. Or was it a woman?
‘Maybe we’re not supposed to get it,’ he mused, rifling through his briefcase to make sure he had everything we needed for our big presentation with The Men Upstairs.
‘Maybe we’re not rich enough to get it,’ I offered with a grin, watching the high-powered business suits criss-crossing the lobby on various missions and assignments.
‘We might just understand it on the way down then,’ he grinned back. ‘I’m telling you, Larry, I’m feeling really good about this proposal. They’d honestly be mad to turn it down.’
‘Let’s not get too excited,’ I said nervously. ‘Don’t go counting any pigs before they’ve… flown. Or something.’
‘Not even close.’
‘My point is valid,’ I said. ‘Just because we made it into the office building, commercial decorative glass and all, doesn’t mean that we’re actually through the door.’
‘I know that,’ he rolled his eyes. ‘But you’d buy our idea, wouldn’t you?’
‘Of course I would. It’s incredible.’
‘Then they’ll see that too!’ he slapped me on the back. ‘We just have to… y’know.’
‘What?’
‘Get them to believe,’ he said. ‘Get them to see our vision.’
‘Vision isn’t a strong suit of these corporate-types, in my experience,’ I said, biting my lip nervously. ‘I think it has something to do with all of the window frosting around Melbourne.’
He laughed at that, clicking the briefcase shut.
A man appeared, walking towards us with a too-bright smile and a hand outstretched.
‘Gentlemen!’ he said, cordially. ‘My name is Roger – so pleased to finally be meeting like this.’
He shook our hands, firmly and for just the right amount of time.
‘I’m Jason,’ I introduced myself. ‘This is Larry. We’re so excited to be pitching you our—’
‘It’s a no,’ Roger said, still smiling. ‘Have a nice day, gentlemen.’
He turned and strode confidently back the way he’d come.