Water Lessons by Chadwick Wall Read Free Book Online Page A

the greatest book of business or revenue over the last five months, he showed the greatest increase in monthly sales. At this rate, he may very well make partner in the firm, or at least manager, if he didn't burn out soon in sales.
    Jim was searching for another number in the database when his desk phone rang. The caller ID displayed Maureen's number.
    "Hey, sweet girl," Jim said.
    "All right, James Scoresby. Where do I begin?"
    "Should I be sittin' down for this one?"
    "Don't make plans for this weekend. There's a surprise."
    "Ah, surprises, my favorite! Sounds good, baby. I'll count on—"
    "Jim, I told you to stop calling me baby."
    Jim sighed.
    "Anyway, you'll see what I'm talking about. I think this week will end as a good one. Now, gotta run. I've been corralled into grabbing lunch with Yoshi and the girls from the lab."
    At that moment a great laughter-tinged cheer erupted inside the entire fifty-eighth floor of the Hancock Tower. Jim said a quick goodbye to Maureen. He stood and faced with growing expectation the main entrance to the trading floor. Every broker stood. A few clapped as Walter Henretty, two inches over six feet, lithe, and decked in his usual power suit, crossed the threshold with a flourish.
    Walter pumped his arms above him as Jim had seen Mardi Gras kings do on their parade floats. He laughed and extended an index finger on each fist. "Top o' the mornin' to you all, good ladies and gents!" he bellowed in his thick Massachusetts accent.
    The old man carried much charisma. It just flowed out of him, and Walter would be loved and admired by most even if he was not a man of power or position.
    "Okay, you guys!" the old man said. "I just wanted to congratulate everyone for a great March. Now we're well into April and a few of you in particular are still up to a terrific performance. I'd like to give my special congratulations to Jimmy Scoresby for the most accounts opened in the month. Jimmy came all the way from the lazy bayous of Louisiana to remind us Bostonian workaholics how to work our tails off. Keep it up, my boy!" The old man led a round of applause all across the floor.
    Jim looked down at his wingtips. He didn't even notice the next two names mentioned. He had once again begun a round of daydreaming, this time a blissful reverie on his last few months of rebounding and his golden future in New England.
    The old man tied up his rally with a quick history Jim had heard months ago. Walter recounted his retirement from the Navy near the end of the Vietnam War. He had assumed control of the brokerage house from his retiring father and loosely managed it ever since, coaching certain brokers to great wealth.  
    The brokers who became the best, Walter declared, "sometimes were the last ones we thought were cut out for the job. Look at Sarah Dougherty… you could see her definitely practicing medicine or the law. Joel Kauffman, you know, we could all see him teaching nuclear physics over at MIT."
    The old man pointed suddenly at Jim. "I mean, consider young Jimmy. One would guess he'd teach history or write novels full-time. Look at the guy, will ya? You better watch out, brother!" Walter pointed over to his younger brother Dewey, the floor boss, who observed all these proceedings with a face of glum boredom.
    "I know he doesn't say much." Walter shook his head and chortled, his hands on his hips. "But I assure you, Dewey is watching your every move, especially those who could replace him one day."
    Walter guffawed and Dewey's thin lips morphed into a Mona Lisa smile.
    "Now ladies and gents, Grandpa Walt wishes you a good day and happy selling! Press on! Keep up the good work! This May, beat the hell out last year's and let's give 'em hell in April." As he gave this last rallying cry, Walter raised a fist above his head in a boxer's celebration.
    The floor erupted in a cheer and then everyone sat and plunged fervently to work on the phones and computers. Walter draped his arm around his brother's