demotion.”
“Oh-okay. But didn’t he fill you in?”
“Yes, he did, but, well-I was hoping there’s some way we can reverse this thing. Not take away your promotion-that’s not what I’m talking about. Of course not, that wouldn’t be fair. But maybe there’s a way we can make this more of a horizontal move for William.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“Could you maybe put in a good word for him? Just ask around?”
“Ask who?”
“Look, William has been at KKM for more than ten years.”
“I’m aware of that. This is really hard. For me too, but I don’t think-”
“Jesus, Kelly, it’s only Band-Aids.”
“
“The account?”
Kelly is silent for a moment. “Alice, it wasn’t Band-Aids. It was
“
Kelly coughed softly. “That’s the one.”
“Well, what happened?”
“You need to ask him.”
“I’m asking you. Please, Kelly.”
“I really shouldn’t.”
“Please.”
“I don’t feel okay about-”
“Kelly. Don’t make me ask again.”
She gives a big sigh. “He lost it.”
“Lost it?”
“During the focus group. Alice, I’ve been wondering if there’s something going on at home because honestly, he just hasn’t been himself lately. Well, you saw it yourself. How strangely he acted at the FiG launch. For the past couple of months he’s been off. Anxious. Short-tempered. Distracted. Like work is the last place on earth he wants to be. Everybody has noticed, not just me. He’d been talked to. He’d been warned. And then this thing with the focus group. It was on video, Alice. The entire team saw it. Frank Potter saw it.”
“But he’s on the creative side, not strategic. Why was he even running a focus group?”
“Because he insisted. He wanted to be in on the research.”
“I don’t understand.”
“It’s probably better if you don’t.”
“Send me the video,” I say.
“That’s not a good idea.”
“Kelly, I’m begging you.”
“Oh, Christ. Hold on a sec. Let me think.”
Kelly is silent.
I count to twenty and say, “Still thinking?”
“Fine, Alice,” says Kelly. “But you have to swear not to tell anybody I sent it to you. Look, I’m really sorry. I respect William. He’s been a mentor to me. I wasn’t campaigning for his job. I feel horrible about this. Do you believe me? Please believe me.”
“I believe you, Kelly, but now that you’re creative director you should probably stop pleading with people to believe you.”
“You’re right. I’ve got to work on that. I’ll email you the video.”
“Thank you.”
“And Alice?”
“Uh-huh?”
“Please don’t hate me.”
“Kelly.”
“What?”
“You’re doing it again.”
“Right, right! I’m sorry. I wasn’t prepared for this promotion. It’s what I always dreamed about but I didn’t think it would happen so abruptly. Between you and me, I feel like such a fake. I don’t know what to say. I should go now. I’m really not a bad person. I like you so much, Alice. Please don’t hate me. Oh-Christ, goodbye.”
15
From: Wife 22 ‹Wife22@netherfieldcenter.org›
Subject: New Questions?
Date: May 15, 6:30 AM
To: researcher101 ‹researcher101@netherfieldcenter.org›
Researcher 101,
Is the new set of questions coming soon? I don’t want to rush you or anything, and you probably have some timetable of when you send the questions out, but I seem to have a lot of anxiety these days and answering the questions calms me down. There’s almost a meditative aspect to it. Like confession. Have any other subjects reported feeling this way?
All the best,
Wife 22
From: researcher101 ‹researcher101@netherfieldcenter.org›
Subject: Re: New Questions?
Date: May 15, 7:31 AM
To: Wife 22 ‹Wife22@netherfieldcenter.org›
Wife 22,
That’s very interesting. I haven’t heard quite that response before, but we have heard similar sentiments along the same line. Once a subject described answering the questions as “an unburdening.” I believe the anonymity has a lot to do with it. You can expect the next set of questions by the end of the week.
Best,
Researcher 101
From: Wife 22 ‹Wife22@netherfieldcenter.org›
Subject: Re: New Questions?
Date: May 15, 7:35 AM
To: researcher101 ‹researcher101@netherfieldcenter.org›
I think you’re right. Who knew anonymity could be so liberating?
16
Alice! Alice, my dear. It’s Bunny Kilborn from Blue Hill. It’s been a very long time. I hope you’ve been getting my Christmas cards. I think of you so often. How are you and William? The children? Is Zoe off to college yet? She must be close. Maybe you’ll send her back east. Look. I’ll get straight to it. I have a favor to ask. Remember our youngest, Caroline? Well, she’s moving to the Bay Area and I’m wondering if you’d be willing to help her out a bit? Show her around? She’s looking for a job in IT. Maybe you even have some contacts in the tech world? She’ll need
