The Evil that Lurks Within
Rick Lambert walked into the executive conference room holding his binder in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. He greeted the three people already sitting at the foot of the oblong, mahogany table that filled the room. “Good morning,” he said, as he settled into the seat at the other side of the table, “thanks for coming in today.” Across the table to his left sat Jen Morillo, a serious looking woman in her late thirties, her dirty blonde hair tied back in a bun, and wearing a cream-colored pantsuit. A slight smile curled the sides of her tight lips and she briefly looked up at Rick, but then went back to the paper she was staring at before he came in. To her left, Gary Williams sat in his three-piece charcoal gray suit, looking a bit nervous as he fidgeted with his pen with his right hand. This was his first big professional job interview at 25, and he was immaculately groomed, with his thick, straight black hair combed back, glistening with hair gel. You could smell his cologne or maybe it was aftershave from across the room. His perfectly manicured left hand was shuffling the papers in front of him. To his left was Don Risucci, a man in his late forties who looked older with his shock of gray hair, receding hairline, and deep wrinkles that lined his face, a testament to his stressful life and difficult upbringing. Nevertheless, he had an air of confidence about him as he was the only one who continued to stare at Rick even after Rick had met his gaze and looked away.
“You are the final three candidates for this position, and I brought you here together for one final interview before I make my decision,” said Rick. “I know this is unconventional to interview candidates together, but this is an unconventional job. I’m going to ask you each just three questions and then I will make my choice,” he said. Then, turning to Jen, he asked, “What’s your story?” Jen had a puzzled and nervous look on her face. “I’m not sure what you mean,” she said very hesitantly. A broad smile filled Rick’s face. “Let me explain,” he said. “I always thought that if you stopped people on the street and asked them that question, they would know exactly what you mean and would be able to summarize their lives in just a few sentences. So, I’m testing my theory here. I’ll go first. Ask me that question as an example." “Rick, what’s your story?” Jen asked. “Born to a single mom, foster care system, Harvard, vice president,” he replied. “Now it’s your turn.” Jen hesitated a few moments while she organized her thoughts and looked furtively around the room before speaking. “Um, middle class, divorced mom, fine arts background, business professional.” Rick turned to Gary and nodded in his direction. Gary put down his pen, folded his arms in front of his chest, and replied, “Overbearing, perfectionist dad, dean’s list student, driven to succeed, never good enough.” He sighed a breath of relief but had a worried look when Rick’s face suggested puzzlement as he sat back for what seemed a long moment before turning to Don. “Don, your turn,” Rick finally said. Don never lost his air of confidence as he leaned back in his chair, seemingly relaxed. He had a slight smile on his face as he spoke. “Abused child, raised by grandparents, high school dropout, recovered alcoholic, successful entrepreneur.” Rick seemed pleased as he turned back to Jen. “OK, the next question is how would you describe yourself in one word? Jen, you go first”. “Industrious,” Jen immediately shot back. Rick turned towards Gary who immediately said “Driven,” followed by Don who replied “Creative” before Rick could even turn towards him. “OK, I have a bit of news and then one final question to ask. We have found the funds to open another position. Therefore, my question is, if I hire you, which of the other two people would you like to work with and why. I know you don’t know each other very well, so it has to be based on a hunch from what you learned today, either from your first impression before I arrived or what was said just now. Jen, you go first again." “I would like to work with Don,” she said. Rick arched his eyebrows and asked, “why?” “He just looks more mature and better prepared." Gary smiled, and tried to look amused, but it was a nervous smile all the same. “I think I could learn more from him,” she continued. Rick nodded and turned toward Don. “Well, Don,” he said, "Jen wants to work with you. Do you want to return the compliment?” Don shook his head and said, “Actually I would pick Gary. I think we would make a good team. I have more experience, but I like the fact that he looks detail oriented and appears to be a perfectionist. I think in broad strokes, and he would be good at filling in the details. You need both types of people on a team”. “Interesting analysis," Rick replied. He turned to Gary and said, “Don wants to work with you. Do you want to return the compliment?” To Rick’s surprise, Gary shook his head and turned towards Jen. “No," he said. “I would prefer to work with Jen. Don reminds me too much of my father. Jen looks like a more collaborative person who works well with others. I just think our personalities match better and we would make a better team.” Rick reflected on the answer and said, “That’s so interesting. None of you wanted to work with the person who wants to work with you,” he said with a shrug. After a moment of reflection, he announced that he made his decision. “Jen, congratulations, and welcome to our company,” he said as he stood up. Jen stood up as well as they shook hands. “Go to HR and fill out the paperwork. Then go to my office in room 312 at noon for a meeting where I will introduce you to our staff.” Then Rick turned to Gary while still standing. “Congratulations and welcome to our company Gary,” he said as Gary stood up and shook hands. “Meet me in my office at noon as well.” There was awkward silence in the room after Gary left and Don was alone with Rick. Finally, Rick broke the silence. “Don, thank you for participating in this interview,” Rick said as he extended his hand. Don did not get up or extend his hand. Instead, he looked straight ahead, before looking up at Rick. “Can you tell me what I did wrong?” Don said. “I have much more experience than the other two. Is there something I could have done better?” Rick smiled and said, “No. The reason I didn’t pick you, is that I have a better job in mind for you.” "What is that?” Don replied. “I want you to spy on the other two,” said Rick. “Let me explain. I had to fire two people because they were stealing from the company. But I know they were not the ringleader. I don’t know who the ringleader is, but I believe that person will try to recruit the new hires. I want you to go undercover and find out who it is.” “But why me?” said Don. “Because you have a background in security and the skills to do it,” said Rick. “Plus, you already know the company and something about Jen and Gary.” “But that’s not what I want to do,” replied Don. “Just out of curiosity, what are you paying for this position?” “Fifty an hour plus an expense account. You would fly all over the world first class and stay in five-star hotels,” replied Rick. “Well, OK then,” said Don. "When do I start?”
Ronald Lambert was talking furtively in the corner of the room when the janitor wearing dark glasses and a floppy hat walked in. “Excuse me,” said Ronald. Can you wait until we finish here?” The janitor put down his mop and pail and said, “Sorry, no speak eh, English.” He pointed to the floor and continued, “Boss say clean. Sorry.” He shrugged his shoulders as he pleaded. Gary Williams tugged on Ron’s shoulder and said, “Let him stay. We’re almost finished, and he doesn’t understand English. I don’t want him to get into trouble." “Yeah, so Ronny, let’s go over the details again,” said Jen Morillo. “How do I cover it up when the inventory is short, and what is my take?” The janitor glanced at the ticket on top of the stack of papers next to Ronald and noted the name, “Ronald Lambert.” He had the information he came in for.
The next day, Don Risucci walked into Rick Lambert’s office. “Is Ronald Lambert, by any chance, related to you,” he asked. “I went into a meeting disguised as a janitor and I have it on tape that he is your ringleader.” “Yes," Rick replied, “He is my brother.” “When I discovered my birth mother after I turned 18, I found out I had a brother. Ronald has been in and out of jail his entire life. I only hired him because mom insisted I give him another chance. He promised he went straight. The funny thing is my mom was 16 when I was born, and I was the one who was taken away by Child Protective Services and placed in foster care. Ronald was born 10 years later when my mom married and was raised by his biological parents. He was the one who had the more stable home environment. But he was nothing but trouble, getting involved with drugs and gangs, and getting arrested for all kinds of crime. Finally, he said he matured when he turned 30 and said he wanted to use me as a role model. He dropped out of high school, but he has an amazing analytic mind that would be perfect for business. He taught himself dozens of computer languages and speaks five different languages. He stood here in this office, looked me in the eye, and swore he was reformed. I believed him, and he was amazing at his job. I kept promoting him and mom was so proud. I can’t believe he betrayed me like this after I did everything for him, and he was doing so well.” Don listened intently, and asked, “Do you want me in the office with you as a witness while you talk to him?” “No,” replied Rick. “I have the tape recording you made in case he denies it. You can wait outside.”
Don sat on a lounge chair in the central waiting area as he saw Ronald walk by him into Rick’s suite. He could hear the conversation grow louder and louder, though he could not make out the words. Finally, the conversation escalated into screams and finally a single loud pop that Don was certain was gun fire. He had been a medic in the army, and he knew that sound and exactly what to do. Don bolted from his seat toward the suite, yelling at the startled receptionist, “Call 911!” He furiously tried turning the door handle and found it locked. He turned and ran outside the building to the window of the ground floor suite and found it already broken. Evidently Ronald already made his escape out the window. Don climbed in to find Rick slumped on his desk, blood running profusely from his chest, pooling on the floor. Don ripped off Rick’s jacket and shirt at the same time as he took off his own jacket to wrap around Rick as a tourniquet. He managed to slow the bleeding and listened for a heartbeat. He detected a weak beat and found Rick semiconscious and trying to mumble something. “It’s OK,” said Don. “Stay with me,” he continued. “Help is coming.” Don could hear sirens in the distance and in a few moments an EMT had Rick hooked up to oxygen and put an IV unit in his arm.
The next day Don looked down at Rick who was lying on a bed in the ER at the local hospital. “Don, you saved my life,” Rick said. “I’m so lucky I hired you. I want you to know if I don’t make it, I want you to take over the company." Rick looked around the senior staff crowded around Don, who nodded their heads in agreement. “You are going to make it,” said Don. “Don't talk too much now. Just get as much rest as possible. Don’t worry about Ronald. They caught him and he’ll get what he deserves. I hope they throw that bastard in jail, and he rots there for the rest of his miserable life.” Rick managed a faint smile before he closed his eyes and faded into unconsciousness.
The new senior VP walked into his suite. “It was a lovely funeral yesterday, wasn’t it?” asked his administrative assistant. Don smiled and said, “Yes, it was. I only met Rick a few months ago and yet it felt like we were brothers. We had so much in common. We both had this hardscrabble background and overcame so much. We were given nothing and fought tooth and nail for everything we got, using only our God given natural abilities. Ronald was given so much and threw it all away.” Don turned and gazed out the office window into the heavily forested park that surrounded the building. He allowed his gaze to linger as the trees swayed in the breeze. There was so much beauty in the world, he mused. Yet evil lurks at every turn. He snapped back to attention and called the receptionist. “Send Gary and Jen in here,” he said, with a grim tone to his voice.
“You are the final three candidates for this position, and I brought you here together for one final interview before I make my decision,” said Rick. “I know this is unconventional to interview candidates together, but this is an unconventional job. I’m going to ask you each just three questions and then I will make my choice,” he said. Then, turning to Jen, he asked, “What’s your story?” Jen had a puzzled and nervous look on her face. “I’m not sure what you mean,” she said very hesitantly. A broad smile filled Rick’s face. “Let me explain,” he said. “I always thought that if you stopped people on the street and asked them that question, they would know exactly what you mean and would be able to summarize their lives in just a few sentences. So, I’m testing my theory here. I’ll go first. Ask me that question as an example." “Rick, what’s your story?” Jen asked. “Born to a single mom, foster care system, Harvard, vice president,” he replied. “Now it’s your turn.” Jen hesitated a few moments while she organized her thoughts and looked furtively around the room before speaking. “Um, middle class, divorced mom, fine arts background, business professional.” Rick turned to Gary and nodded in his direction. Gary put down his pen, folded his arms in front of his chest, and replied, “Overbearing, perfectionist dad, dean’s list student, driven to succeed, never good enough.” He sighed a breath of relief but had a worried look when Rick’s face suggested puzzlement as he sat back for what seemed a long moment before turning to Don. “Don, your turn,” Rick finally said. Don never lost his air of confidence as he leaned back in his chair, seemingly relaxed. He had a slight smile on his face as he spoke. “Abused child, raised by grandparents, high school dropout, recovered alcoholic, successful entrepreneur.” Rick seemed pleased as he turned back to Jen. “OK, the next question is how would you describe yourself in one word? Jen, you go first”. “Industrious,” Jen immediately shot back. Rick turned towards Gary who immediately said “Driven,” followed by Don who replied “Creative” before Rick could even turn towards him. “OK, I have a bit of news and then one final question to ask. We have found the funds to open another position. Therefore, my question is, if I hire you, which of the other two people would you like to work with and why. I know you don’t know each other very well, so it has to be based on a hunch from what you learned today, either from your first impression before I arrived or what was said just now. Jen, you go first again." “I would like to work with Don,” she said. Rick arched his eyebrows and asked, “why?” “He just looks more mature and better prepared." Gary smiled, and tried to look amused, but it was a nervous smile all the same. “I think I could learn more from him,” she continued. Rick nodded and turned toward Don. “Well, Don,” he said, "Jen wants to work with you. Do you want to return the compliment?” Don shook his head and said, “Actually I would pick Gary. I think we would make a good team. I have more experience, but I like the fact that he looks detail oriented and appears to be a perfectionist. I think in broad strokes, and he would be good at filling in the details. You need both types of people on a team”. “Interesting analysis," Rick replied. He turned to Gary and said, “Don wants to work with you. Do you want to return the compliment?” To Rick’s surprise, Gary shook his head and turned towards Jen. “No," he said. “I would prefer to work with Jen. Don reminds me too much of my father. Jen looks like a more collaborative person who works well with others. I just think our personalities match better and we would make a better team.” Rick reflected on the answer and said, “That’s so interesting. None of you wanted to work with the person who wants to work with you,” he said with a shrug. After a moment of reflection, he announced that he made his decision. “Jen, congratulations, and welcome to our company,” he said as he stood up. Jen stood up as well as they shook hands. “Go to HR and fill out the paperwork. Then go to my office in room 312 at noon for a meeting where I will introduce you to our staff.” Then Rick turned to Gary while still standing. “Congratulations and welcome to our company Gary,” he said as Gary stood up and shook hands. “Meet me in my office at noon as well.” There was awkward silence in the room after Gary left and Don was alone with Rick. Finally, Rick broke the silence. “Don, thank you for participating in this interview,” Rick said as he extended his hand. Don did not get up or extend his hand. Instead, he looked straight ahead, before looking up at Rick. “Can you tell me what I did wrong?” Don said. “I have much more experience than the other two. Is there something I could have done better?” Rick smiled and said, “No. The reason I didn’t pick you, is that I have a better job in mind for you.” "What is that?” Don replied. “I want you to spy on the other two,” said Rick. “Let me explain. I had to fire two people because they were stealing from the company. But I know they were not the ringleader. I don’t know who the ringleader is, but I believe that person will try to recruit the new hires. I want you to go undercover and find out who it is.” “But why me?” said Don. “Because you have a background in security and the skills to do it,” said Rick. “Plus, you already know the company and something about Jen and Gary.” “But that’s not what I want to do,” replied Don. “Just out of curiosity, what are you paying for this position?” “Fifty an hour plus an expense account. You would fly all over the world first class and stay in five-star hotels,” replied Rick. “Well, OK then,” said Don. "When do I start?”
Ronald Lambert was talking furtively in the corner of the room when the janitor wearing dark glasses and a floppy hat walked in. “Excuse me,” said Ronald. Can you wait until we finish here?” The janitor put down his mop and pail and said, “Sorry, no speak eh, English.” He pointed to the floor and continued, “Boss say clean. Sorry.” He shrugged his shoulders as he pleaded. Gary Williams tugged on Ron’s shoulder and said, “Let him stay. We’re almost finished, and he doesn’t understand English. I don’t want him to get into trouble." “Yeah, so Ronny, let’s go over the details again,” said Jen Morillo. “How do I cover it up when the inventory is short, and what is my take?” The janitor glanced at the ticket on top of the stack of papers next to Ronald and noted the name, “Ronald Lambert.” He had the information he came in for.
The next day, Don Risucci walked into Rick Lambert’s office. “Is Ronald Lambert, by any chance, related to you,” he asked. “I went into a meeting disguised as a janitor and I have it on tape that he is your ringleader.” “Yes," Rick replied, “He is my brother.” “When I discovered my birth mother after I turned 18, I found out I had a brother. Ronald has been in and out of jail his entire life. I only hired him because mom insisted I give him another chance. He promised he went straight. The funny thing is my mom was 16 when I was born, and I was the one who was taken away by Child Protective Services and placed in foster care. Ronald was born 10 years later when my mom married and was raised by his biological parents. He was the one who had the more stable home environment. But he was nothing but trouble, getting involved with drugs and gangs, and getting arrested for all kinds of crime. Finally, he said he matured when he turned 30 and said he wanted to use me as a role model. He dropped out of high school, but he has an amazing analytic mind that would be perfect for business. He taught himself dozens of computer languages and speaks five different languages. He stood here in this office, looked me in the eye, and swore he was reformed. I believed him, and he was amazing at his job. I kept promoting him and mom was so proud. I can’t believe he betrayed me like this after I did everything for him, and he was doing so well.” Don listened intently, and asked, “Do you want me in the office with you as a witness while you talk to him?” “No,” replied Rick. “I have the tape recording you made in case he denies it. You can wait outside.”
Don sat on a lounge chair in the central waiting area as he saw Ronald walk by him into Rick’s suite. He could hear the conversation grow louder and louder, though he could not make out the words. Finally, the conversation escalated into screams and finally a single loud pop that Don was certain was gun fire. He had been a medic in the army, and he knew that sound and exactly what to do. Don bolted from his seat toward the suite, yelling at the startled receptionist, “Call 911!” He furiously tried turning the door handle and found it locked. He turned and ran outside the building to the window of the ground floor suite and found it already broken. Evidently Ronald already made his escape out the window. Don climbed in to find Rick slumped on his desk, blood running profusely from his chest, pooling on the floor. Don ripped off Rick’s jacket and shirt at the same time as he took off his own jacket to wrap around Rick as a tourniquet. He managed to slow the bleeding and listened for a heartbeat. He detected a weak beat and found Rick semiconscious and trying to mumble something. “It’s OK,” said Don. “Stay with me,” he continued. “Help is coming.” Don could hear sirens in the distance and in a few moments an EMT had Rick hooked up to oxygen and put an IV unit in his arm.
The next day Don looked down at Rick who was lying on a bed in the ER at the local hospital. “Don, you saved my life,” Rick said. “I’m so lucky I hired you. I want you to know if I don’t make it, I want you to take over the company." Rick looked around the senior staff crowded around Don, who nodded their heads in agreement. “You are going to make it,” said Don. “Don't talk too much now. Just get as much rest as possible. Don’t worry about Ronald. They caught him and he’ll get what he deserves. I hope they throw that bastard in jail, and he rots there for the rest of his miserable life.” Rick managed a faint smile before he closed his eyes and faded into unconsciousness.
The new senior VP walked into his suite. “It was a lovely funeral yesterday, wasn’t it?” asked his administrative assistant. Don smiled and said, “Yes, it was. I only met Rick a few months ago and yet it felt like we were brothers. We had so much in common. We both had this hardscrabble background and overcame so much. We were given nothing and fought tooth and nail for everything we got, using only our God given natural abilities. Ronald was given so much and threw it all away.” Don turned and gazed out the office window into the heavily forested park that surrounded the building. He allowed his gaze to linger as the trees swayed in the breeze. There was so much beauty in the world, he mused. Yet evil lurks at every turn. He snapped back to attention and called the receptionist. “Send Gary and Jen in here,” he said, with a grim tone to his voice.
Comments
Post a Comment