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The Bottom Line, by Jim Bartlett

17/6/2022

 
Franklin leans back in the plush chair, his focus lost to his phone rather than the board members gathered around the table. When he finally sets it down, his antsy fingers shift to his name plate – William Franklin, CEO Americana Commercial Holdings – tapping it back and forth as he lets his gaze slowly circle the room. He abruptly stops, seeing an empty chair where Marsha Clemens, his Marketing Director, should be sitting.

“Where is she?”

Thomas Prickerton, the CFO, bristles. “Her nanny didn’t show this morning. Something about not being able to afford the gas.” He smirks. “Damn hard to get good help these days.”

“Guess we know where her priorities lie,” Franklin huffs. He juts his chin at Roger McDuff, his Logistics Director. “Okay, let’s make this quick. I’ve got a tee-off at 1:30 and I’d like to have some lunch at the club first.”

McDuff nods, his face flush. “Well, as noted, fuel costs are higher, so even with a doubling of home deliveries we’re not quite up to the 30% profit margin we’d hoped for. I think that—“

The CEO cuts him off, stabbing a finger in his direction. “Make it happen.”

“Yes sir.”

“Next.”

Andrew McKinsey, Construction and Sales VP, nervously slides his chair forward. “Sir, with interest rates tripling, real estate sales, with the exception of luxury homes, have tanked. We’d projected a 40% profit this quarter, but when you add the dismal sales to the new construction costs—“

Franklin raises an open hand. “Enough. I know where this is going.” He turns to Dennis Frazier, Automotive Sales. “You got anything better?”

“Well, Mr. Franklin, as with housing, luxury car sales are through the roof, particularly the hybrid and electric models. And that’s helping to take the edge off the drop in standard model sales. But with inflation, fuel prices, and worker complaints about wages and benefits, we’re having to lower our expectations.”

“’Lower expectations’ is not a phrase I care to hear. Ever.” He looks down at his phone, noting the time. “Marty, with all this nonsense about rising costs and the damn poor people, I can only hope our energy division is pulling its weight.”

Marty smiles. “We’re booming, Boss. Profits way, way up. Even with oil at $125 a barrel, we’re raking it in.”

“Finally some good news,” Franklin says, winking. He looks to the last man at the table. “What’cha got Chris?”

Chris stiffens. “It’s been tough times for folks out there, sir, so grocery sales are off. Except for soups and broths. They’ve become extremely popular because they’re less expensive.”

Franklin leans back. “Tough times, indeed. It would seem we all need to help out wherever we can, eh?” He points at Chris. “And here’s where you can help out...with our profits, that is. Raise the price of soup and broth by 15%.”

Chris’ mouth opens, but no words escape.

Franklin stands. “That’s it, gentlemen. There’s a martini with my name on it waiting at the 19th hole...”
​
Doug
17/6/2022 08:17:05 am

Nicely written Jim. What a dog eat dog world we have become.

Jim Bartlett link
17/6/2022 03:30:04 pm

Thanks, Doug. Sad but true...
Jim

Mimi Grouse
17/6/2022 09:29:02 am

Yep. That's about right. Nice one, Jim.

Jim Bartlett link
17/6/2022 03:30:58 pm

I wish I didn't agree...
Thanks much, Mimi
Jim

Marjan Sierhuis
17/6/2022 01:06:46 pm

I enjoyed reading your story, Jim. Some truth to the aphorism, 'The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.'

Jim Bartlett link
17/6/2022 03:31:53 pm

Ain't it the truth, Marjan?
Thanks ever so much for the nice words!
Jim

David Lowis
17/6/2022 02:17:40 pm

An enjoyable read, as always, despite the repulsive CEO.

Jim Bartlett link
17/6/2022 03:32:34 pm

Thanks ever so much David. So glad you enjoyed it
Jim

Don Tassone link
17/6/2022 04:42:51 pm

Hardball! Well done, Jim.

Jim Bartlett link
17/6/2022 08:30:13 pm

Thanks so much, Don

Michael McCarthy
17/6/2022 05:37:02 pm

Perfect timing with a scathing put down of a revolting CEO whose priorities will never change . Great

Jim Bartlett link
17/6/2022 08:30:57 pm

Thanks, Michael. Appreciate your kind words
Jim

Paritosh Chandra Dugar
17/6/2022 05:50:30 pm

Isn't it about social Darwinism? Poor people with money-monsters around them. Jim, your story tells a great truth.very well don.

Jim Bartlett link
17/6/2022 08:37:11 pm

Thanks so much, Paritosh.
Jim

Paritosh Chandra Dugar
17/6/2022 05:52:31 pm

Very well done.

Peggy Gerber
17/6/2022 09:43:09 pm

Your story feels like Friday non-fiction. You painted quite a vivid picture and I can just imagine scenarios like this happening all over the world.

Jim Bartlett link
18/6/2022 12:00:30 am

Thanks, Peggy. I only wish your words weren't true...

Take care
Jim

Michael Borjon
18/6/2022 08:23:13 am

Well done Jim!! So much truth in your fictional story. The bottom line between every line, seems to be GREED…

Jim Bartlett link
18/6/2022 03:32:32 pm

Thanks Mike. You have appropriately capitalized the key word here.
Take care
Jim

Padmini
18/6/2022 08:57:11 am

Franklin could any CEO from the real life. A story close to reality. Nicely written, Jim

Jim Bartlett link
18/6/2022 03:33:18 pm

I only wish it weren't so, Padmini. I only wish.
Thanks much
Jim

Pamela Kennedy
18/6/2022 09:00:16 am

Your story is so realistic...👍👍👍

David Milner
18/6/2022 11:21:18 am

This one's for the CEO Scrooge, the A-holes, and the dry martini...read em and weep. Good stuff, Jim B

Jim Bartlett link
18/6/2022 03:35:05 pm

If only there weren't such a large audience of them, David.
Thanks much for the kind words
Jim

Jim Bartlett link
18/6/2022 03:33:57 pm

Thanks so much, Pamela.
Jim

Candace Arthuria Williams
18/6/2022 03:15:41 pm

Whoa! Slow down, Jim. I need my own martini to help me digest all that food for thought. I had to get up from the table before I became one of those people. So much more dignity in writing about them. (If you're able to live off your dignity.)

Jim Bartlett link
18/6/2022 03:38:29 pm

That table is awful tempting, and the chairs oh so comfy, eh?
Sadly, the way the world is set up these days, dignity doesn't do much for the wallet, but at least it helps when looking in the mirror.
Thanks Candace. Always appreciate your comments
Jim

Krystyna
18/6/2022 04:11:53 pm

There are too many ‘Franklin’ types in our world. Driven by greed and no compassion for those who are barely able to survive. Jim, you’ve painted an accurate and chilling picture of humanity. Sad!

Jim Bartlett link
18/6/2022 04:30:10 pm

Thanks so much, Krystyna. I wish I could say I didn't agree with you, that the world was a much better place and humanity was more humane. But...
Thanks again
Jim

Dee Lorraine
19/6/2022 03:13:51 am

Wow, Jim. Your story is so reality-based it's scary. Good thing you have those fictional names and titles."Chris’ mouth opens, but no words escape." I feel like Chris.

Jim Bartlett link
19/6/2022 03:45:57 pm

Thanks, Dee. Sadly, I think many of us (myself included) feel like Chris on so many levels as we look out at the world.
Take care
Jim

Sue Clayton
19/6/2022 06:51:15 am

Oh Wow, Jim. Did you every hit the nail on the head regarding the state of play in the world today. Profit always seems to win out over Poor.

Jim Bartlett link
19/6/2022 03:49:39 pm

Thanks, Sue. In all honesty, I have nothing against a fair profit - that's what keeps a company thriving, its employees paid and with good benefits, and the economy moving along. I think we've just lost the balance of life, community, and profit, and that at some point enough has to be enough (when it comes to money made). There never seems to be enough these days, and it doesn't seem to come fast enough.
OK, off my soapbox now. ;-)
Thanks again
Jim

Alex B
21/6/2022 03:08:29 am

This story A hole in one well 19th hole May have been an Eagle or a birdie

But i bet that wear they Make All they major decisions and talk a about profit margins as they chasing a ball around
As the rest of us are slaves to they minimum wage

Jim Bartlett link
21/6/2022 04:49:45 am

Thanks for the kind words, Alex. Corporations do deserve to make a fair profit, but workers also deserve fair wages.
Take care
Jim

Drew Lackovic
21/6/2022 09:41:50 am

What a gutpunch of a story. well done, Jim!

Jim Bartlett link
22/6/2022 06:16:02 am

A gutpunch, indeed, But, maybe more so, a sucker punch.
Thanks so much for the comment, Drew
Take care
Jim

Phyllis Souza
27/6/2022 06:42:01 pm

The way of a selfish man ... raise the price... I hope he falls into a sand trap...

Great story!

Jim Bartlett link
28/6/2022 11:09:24 pm

The Karma bus seems to be understaffed and excessively high in demand. I wouldn't hold my breath on that sand trap.
Thanks so much for the comment, Phyllis
Jim


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