Delirious by Daniel Palmer Read Free Book Online

or comments?” Charlie asked.
    Charlie stood awkwardly at the front of the room. He faced the silence and rocked back and forth on his heels, praying that someone would speak up.
    Jerry Schmidt put his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his hands. He took in an audible deep breath and let it out slowly. In the quiet of the room, it was as loud as a scream. He looked puzzled and concerned.
Good,
Charlie thought.
You wanted to play hardball, Jerry. How does it feel to be on the losing side?
    “Charlie,” Jerry began slowly. He spoke in a very authoritative tone, as though he were confronting a child who had just done something against the rules. “How is it again that you came across my
presentation
you’re attacking?”
    Charlie couldn’t help but let out a little smirk.
Gotcha, you jackass.
    “That’s not important, Jerry,” Charlie said. “The bottom line is that I knew what you were presenting and I felt it was my obligation as a shareholder in SoluCent to present the counterargument. You now have the facts as I see them. You have both sides. We’ll each have a chance to have our say. I’m comfortable leaving it up to the executive team to make any final decisions.”
    “I’m glad you feel that way, Charlie,” Jerry said. “Really glad. It’sjust … well, it’s just strange that you thought I was here to
attack
In-Vision.”
    The comment stunned Charlie. He took a step for balance and wound up standing in front of the projection screen, casting warped numbers from his slide across his body and lighting up his reddening face with the white-hot light from the projection bulb.
    “I’m sorry, Jerry. What are you saying? I don’t think I follow you.”
    “What I’m saying Charlie, is you should have looked at my presentation before you got up here.” Jerry leaned back in his chair. “
My presentation
,” Jerry added for emphasis. “The one
I
planned on giving today. The one I’ve always planned to show.”
    Jerry stood up; the room remained silent. He went over to the computer, opened his PowerPoint presentation from the network, and projected it on the large white screen. Charlie had moved back so he could read the title slide. A sinking, sickening feeling of horror washed over him.
    The Future is here and now! Winning big with InVision By Jerry Schmidt, Vice President, Channel Marketing, the Americas
    “I’m confused,” Charlie said.
    “Well, darn it,” Jerry said in a mocking singsong voice. “So am I, Charlie! Confused and bewildered at that. Do you want me to go through my deck? I mean, you covered most of it already.”
    “I … I … don’t understand.” Charlie felt flushed, blood racing through him, his heart beating mercilessly in his chest. For a moment he thought he might be sick.
    “Leon, you can scratch me from the agenda, okay?” said Jerry. “Charlie covered all my slides. Growth, new market position, new consumer demand, cross-selling opportunities, and projected increase to net revenue of one hundred forty million year one—and that’s a low estimate.”
    “Charlie! Jerry!” Yardley said. “What the hell is going on here?”
    “I’m asking the same question, Leon. I think only Charlie knows the answer,” replied Jerry.
    All eyes turned to Charlie.
    “I was told by a very reliable source that Jerry was here to try andshut down InVision, to push it into R & D. This person gave me Jerry’s presentation,” Charlie explained. “I don’t know what is going on, but I’m guessing Jerry caught wind of it and changed his deck to make me look bad.”
    “Well, you look bad,” Yardley said. “Jerry, is this true?”
    “Absolutely not!” Jerry snapped. “That is completely absurd. I have one position on InVision. Sell the shit out of it. That’s all! The product is great, and it is going to make SoluCent better. End of story.”
    “Charlie?” said Yardley.
    “I have his deck, Leon! I don’t know who he thinks he’s fooling,” said Charlie.
    “Who