Page 7 of Nothing to You
“Too often, corporations shy from social responsibility,” Franco said as the women stepped out of the path of the screen.“Huddle Hope will embrace that responsibility.”
“Our users have proved they accept the gravity of their words and actions.We’re there for our people for debate and for the good times.But not so much for bad times.”
“On numerous occasions, Huddle has experienced users reaching out to the service, to others when they are in need,” she said.“We have no provision for handling this officially… until now.”Their placeholder logo appeared on the screen.“We want to create a safe place to support those in need.Initially, we would pilot a befriending service.A buddying system.Something for those who need support.Moving up to group sessions.Therapy.A secure environment to talk about more difficult issues.”
“Mental health.”
“Trauma.”
“Domestic abuse.”
“Any number of issues that we can form a network of support around.”
“It will not be a substitute for appropriate medical or other professional help.Though we would prefer our structure involve a foundation of appropriately trained professionals.And we shouldn’t branch into uncertain areas.We must take advice at every stage…”
“Let us show you our vision,” Helena said, stepping into the spotlight.
Her boss glittered.Roux could be charming… in the right light.She could be unpredictable too.Volatile.She got that she wasn’t everyone’s favorite cookie, but her great rack excused many sins.
The panel consisted of two men and two women.Equal opportunities.Would that work?Franco did okay with the ladies.She wasn’t sizing up the panel’s sexual preferences.It was just a fact that people were nicer to people they liked.They weren’t exactly getting a great opportunity to project their personalities.If the panel liked the pitch of twenty different groups, they’d use non-pitch reasoning to narrow down the candidates to a shortlist.
Helena was good at this.Excellent.Even she was enthralled by the speech.Franco did the technical stuff with the presentation.Helena’s honeyed tones tempted; at least that was the hope.
The woman could dazzle with charisma.Thank God someone could.Maybe she was a hothead.No.Yeah.She was a hothead.
Helena was so good that she almost missed her cue.
Standing perpendicular to the presentation, only the peripheral view of the final slide prompted her to talk.
“We have a great passion for this project,” she said, covering for her almost slip.“We welcome questions and are willing to work hard.Very hard.For this worthy cause.”
“Your cost projections are conservative.”
A chill went down her spine.That didn’t come from anyone at the table.
“We took median figures,” Franco said, clearing his throat.“But vastly overestimated our contingency, aware that the budget has to be realistic.”
“It’s lazy accounting.”
Okay, what was going on?That was Mr.Loaded Dude at the back.Had to be.
“I want accurate figures.”
Was that a…?
Franco was a whisper away from pulling at his collar.“We can…” another throat clear, “I can tidy that up.Get more accurate numbers.”
“We’re nowhere near financial scrutiny,” one guy at the table said and twisted to look over the back of his chair.
So Table Guy wasn’t interested.Loaded Dude was.Good.If they were going to get anyone on board, the higher up the ladder, the better.
“I can’t assess the proposals without an accurate forecast.”
“You are not assessing anything,” Table Guy said to the boss man.“This is not your duty.Delegation.It’s what you’re good at.This is not my first rodeo.Just trust me, would you?”
The brow raise was subtle; she only just caught it as she turned to disconnect the laptop.
“Yippee-ki-yay.”
