Dapper Are The Rats

Chapter I

As if the space itself was one big window-space or maybe more precisely a big, spacious shark tank full of dark, dangerous corners and sharp atolls providing a convenient hide-out where one could plot and analyse the perfect moment for a deadly attack, that's how stuffed and full of tension the thirty-eighth floor felt this very morning. Normally, one would expect the caveat to come from a slight tremor, the ever present murmurs and significant long stares, or at least the self explanatory dead silence, but much like the sharks, the heavily suited army of corporate predators didn't seem to register this very small ripple that was about to form on the surface and affect their days to come. For now, everything looked exactly the same way as always, the monochromatic shark tank still as ever, with the occasional fin swishing somewhere in the periphery vision a reminder to stay sharp and ready. The murky water perfect for covering up whatever's needed and yet clear enough to monitor the potential dangers coming one's way. No need to play coy, the real game nowhere to be seen and plenty of territory up for grabs to those who want to conquer, for now, anyway.

CONFERENCE ROOM #387, 9:00 AM

"The spacious reception area meticulously styled and subconsciously encouraging the visitor to put on their game faces on as soon as the elevator opens its door with a soft ding and the long-legged receptionist prototype takes notice of the slight change in the air and proceeds to start the war ritual - coffee, lounge area, phone to the boss, slight smile and fashion show worthy strut to the mahogany double door at the far end of the left corridor. High ceilings, bright and airy spaces with floor length windows, plush yet painstakingly light coloured sofas, floor polished like the finest HD mirror, chrome doorknobs and glass coffee tables, soft nondescript music, stacks of corporate materials, absurdly thick newspapers, everything designed especially carefully to put the right foot forward when the possibility of a new deal is in stake. All the effort the interior designer had, that HR tries to change whenever possible and shareholders scrutiny whenever possible, trying to influence you one cactus at a time."

The stark white lightning and clean lines of the massive oblong conference table, the glass - wait, yes, of course. With the push of a button the glass turns opaque and signals everyone what's going on in here without any words necessary. Also, a perfect way how to be dramatic for a change. After all, what fun would it be if these chickens were able to concentrate on something else than what is needed? That's right, the only problem with this Zen heaven is the dozen or so people sitting behind the table and currently living through different stages of panic. Poor little ignorants, especially the one on the left with the questionable hairdresser who's sweating buckets, but to be fair, it doesn't get a lot better looking round the room.

Well, whatever let's get it over with. The sooner this ends, the sooner the new acquisitions can get sorted out properly. A quick look around the room in the desperate search for the PA who was supposed to be here five minutes ago, a slight tug at the shirt sleeve and one depressed peek at the sleek Mikrograph's dial, he reluctantly went on.

"And yet the real tension is nowhere to be seen till you step into one of the wide, never ending hallways that divide the relatively safe commander's bridge from the cut-throat, downright dirty and nasty deck where the real war rages day-to-day. I assume you must have some idea what awaits you, once you really step through one of the office's door, otherwise you wouldn't be able to even get to this stage, but nevertheless... let me tell you one thing. This is not a job, this is a life you need to take on. You, as a person, are of no bigger significance than a bolt in this big machine right now and yet, when you approach a client, you represent the colossus with all its power and glory. So, if one of you by any chance gets the job, remember this - be hard-headed, go full-on, be a shark, be the machine and for god's sake, don't let anyone see you wearing anything of what I can see right now. It's one thing being a rookie and other being a general disappointment to the human race. I'm sure you know where I'm going with this. So sort yourselves out, please. No one wearing bespoke.... that's definitely a first. "He murmured just loud enough to be heard and to still keep them questioning themselves. Finally, the PA arrived, arms full of paperwork, just as the irrepressible need to straighten some tie knots and just plain throw away some of these poorly made jackets almost reached the breaking point and got to the surface.