Backstage
It was a cold and drowsy morning. Rain Gods were at their most furious mood. As usual bugsy came late to the office. “Hi dear. Good Morning” he gave me a bear hug. My vision blurred. I started sweating. Stars seem to circle me. I started counting 1, 2,3,…. “ Goo..dd.. Morn..ing, Goo..d Mo..rning” I shouted back.
Opened my laptop once I regained myself. “Today’s meetings.” The name of the MNC appeared on the screen . For quite a long time I was trying to get an appointment with MNC Nair. 16 times had been to his office to meet his PA regarding the appointment .Despite all the visits and numerous phone calls made nothing fruitful came. Every time she gave an excuse for postponing the appointment. Once she said he had been to Kathmandu and will be back in one week time. But in real he was at Kattakkada , a local place.
Anyway today am not going to leave him. Took the land phone from next cubicle, kept it in front of me and started dialing. As soon as I started dialing I heard a loud cry “Ayyooo”. My colleague had tripped over the phone cable. I said my apologies and started calling again. Luckily this time I got him and he asked to come and meet by 11am.
Rehersal
Opened the latest presentation I had made. Made some corrections. Yeah, now its perfect. “Great!” I told myself.
“You said something?” It’s the team lead from other department.
“Yes. The first over you bowled in the last cricket match was, Great!” I told with a smile. He smiled back and thanked me.
Went to the wash room checked my attire, polished my shoes once more.
“Good. Now you are ready for the show” told myself. Came back to the cubicle studied the presentation once again.
Act 1
The girl at the reception welcomed me with a smile.
“I got an appointment with Mr.MNC Nair” I told her.
“Please wait.” She tried some phone and told “Sir, MD’s no: is engaged. “
I said, “O.K. I’ll wait”
It’s a good office with expensive furniture. Pulled out a magazine and started reading. After finishing 2 articles I realized its more than 10 minutes. I asked the receptionist to try again. She told some internal meeting is going on. So it will take 10minutes more.
“OK fine I will wait” I had no other go.
Meanwhile I started calling other clients and colleagues. It should have been half an hour when I asked her, “ What happened? Sir is still busy?” She started dialing the number.” If its getting too late I’ll take my leave. Will come back again once he’s free” I told her as she was making the call.
“Sir told to wait just 10 minutes more”. She told apologetically. My other schedules are getting affected. Even though I came by 10-50 am he has not called me in. Started dialing other clients for rescheduling the meetings. Some told no we are going out so we’ll meet tomorrow. Means I have to go through all the custom of calling that client and his/her office for appointment. I start becoming impatient. It is almost 12. I stood up.
“I think sir is busy today. I’ll call him and come back tomorrow. Now am late for another meeting.” This time receptionist asked me to wait 1 minute and called him again. Mumbled something over the phone. She raised her head and told “Sir you can go inside now.”
Act 2
“Good Morning sir. ” I said with a grin. He seemed to be too busy with some work in the computer. I
Sat down as he shown the chair. It’s a nice office, well maintained. I slowly opened my laptop and started to give presentation. It went well and as it progressed he started showing more and more interest. I concluded the presentation and looked at him.
“See boss your product is good. But am not sure how my people will use it. They are not technically sound and won’t appreciate anything new. “ He started talking as he leaned back to the chair.
“ What you can do is send a commercial proposal for this and we’ll meet again. “ He started staring at me as he explained. I looked him with utmost interest. He is the customer. Customer is king.
“I had been to Malaysia last week. There they were using something like this. 2 months ago I was at China. There I had asked them to design something like this. Am happy that someone from India has made this.
“ Sir if you were that keen. Why can’t we implement it tomorrow itself.”
“No, no, no… What I meant to say is I want this product. But my budget for next one year has been fixed. I can’t change that. My Accounts Head won’t allow that.” I had met his accounts head earlier. One old gun with no enthusiasm. His main job was to say Yes boss. In my farthest dream I won’t believe he will make any suggestions on anything. Above that his boss won’t listen to him on any advice. Kept persuading him on different points. But he’s not agreeing for a closure.
“ Ok sir. I will send proposal. You please discuss with your Accounts head.” I started winding up the meeting .Its almost 1 hour. “Once you see that we’ll sit for negotiation and finalize”.
After bidding good bye I came out. Receptionist was there with a smile.
“ How did it go Sir?” she asked.
“ It was good. He is interested”. I said hiding my disappointment.
“ As you went inside itself I knew he won’t agree. He had told that to me. Today it was his grandmothers death anniversary. He won’t sign any new deal this week. Its bad omen for him. First I thought I will tell you this. Then on second thought I didn’t want to discourage you.” I started feeling a shiver as she finished the last sentence. I felt like lifting the monitor before he and hitting on her head.” Then why the heck you didn’t tell me early. I would have saved my 3 hours and done some other useful calls.” I felt like shouting at her.
Instead I composed myself and told her.” Oh! Really? My bad luck. Let me try to meet him next week. Thank you”. Saying this came out and relaxed. Took the phone. Dialed the next number
