Part 2 (1/2)
”What's what you want to know?”
”What went wrong. Why.” Prepared for more flailing, Peter's reaction surprised him.
Without looking at Matthew, Peter came toward him. He picked up the pen he had moments before used as a missile. He lowered himself down onto the sofa and casually crossed one leg over the other. He held the pen bearing the Wallaby logo by each end between his fingers. Emphatically, yet softly, he explained. ”You don't understand. You just don't get it. You don't know the truth about inventing products like Wallaby's. In the long run, it's all that really matters. That the products are true to the visions that inspire them.” He gently placed the pen in his pocket, shrugged. His glazed eyes drifted across the room to rest on his docked Joey. ”My visions are my products.”
He remained there for a few moments with a rapt, slightly smiling expression lighting his face, gone inside himself to a place where, the way he saw it, everything was sharp and clear, where he could see things no one else could see.
The only thing Matthew saw was a man gone. Gone mad, perhaps.
Although they'd had arguments in the past, Peter had never seemed so unhinged. In a way, Matthew felt relieved. Having witnessed Peter's distracted state, he was resolved to proceed with his plan.
The young founder blinked. He looked at Matthew with clear eyes.
He was back. He bit his lower lip, and with an expression at once sad and perplexed, he said, ”What is it that you see, Matthew?
What is your vision?”
The car phone jingled, snapping Matthew out of his musing.
Was it Peter? If so, he could turn around at the next exit and be back in just a few minutes. Though he had every intention of proceeding with his plan as it now stood, Matthew would nevertheless give Peter until the very last minute to see things his way.
”Peter?”
”Matthew, it's Eileen.” His secretary. ”I called Peter's office.
Peggy said you left ten minutes ago. What happened?”
”I've decided to go home for the rest of the day,” he said. ”If I have any calls - ”
”You already do. Laurence Maupin.”
”Is it urgent?”
”The two of you were scheduled to discuss tomorrow's meeting.
She's in your office now, holding on the line.”
”Okay. Put her on.”
There was a click, then Laurence's voice. ”Hi, Matthew. I've prepared a short press release to send over the business wire after tomorrow's board meeting.” She spoke quickly, considerate of his time. ”It reads: 'Wallaby Computer, Incorporated today announced a realignment of executive responsibilities. In addition to his current position as president and CEO, Matthew Locke will now a.s.sume the responsibilities of chairman of the board, and vice president of the Joey division...'”
At this last, his heart suddenly quickened. ”'Peter Jones, former chairman and cofounder of Wallaby, will stay on as the company's leading visionary, focusing on advanced technologies and future product designs.'
”Still there?” she asked, giving him an opportunity to comment.
”Go on.”
She continued immediately. ”'Locke has expressed great confidence in Jones's ability to drive Wallaby to the position of technology leader in the desktop computer and personal interactive a.s.sistant industry.'” When she finished reading Matthew's statement, she paused. ”Is that suitable?”
”Yes. That's fine. Thank you.”
”If you'd like to conduct any phone interviews with key press const.i.tuents, I'll need to know that now so I can make arrangements.”