Three months later, Jaymi sits alone on a bench at the edge of the central, paved area of Golden Square in Soho. Observing him, there is fascination and calculation in the approaching eyes of Marc, who conceals these qualities as he reaches the bench, nods an easy greeting and extends his hand. “Jaymi Peek, I believe.”
“Good to meet you, Marc.”
“Thank you for agreeing to meet here, away from curious ears,” says Marc and sinks onto the bench. “I’ll be brief, as I’m sure we’re both busy. As you know, Rik Chambers, your friend and my colleague, has moved on well with his you-know-what program, including the role he has you earmarked for. However, I’m not too jazzed that an important product like this one is turning out to involve one of Mainframe’s competitors! And our lawyers are having kittens over the lack of NDAs and MOUs on file. But I believe I have a solution to this.” Jaymi nods in measured encouragement. “I’m prepared to improve on your current salary quite handsomely, if you’re of a mind to join forces in a more proper contractual manner.”
Jaymi looks at him. “Depends on the details.”
“Excellent. Oh, it’s all so exciting, don’t you think? You’re already the face of the future, as you know—but I’d like the mind behind the face to come and run the product launch.”
“When would this start?”
“As soon as you can. It’ll be a great step upward and onward from what you’ve been doing. I can think of no one better equipped to run the marketing and to maximise revenue. That Fitzrovia agency is holding you back, you know.”
“I see. Thank you. I’ll think about it.”
“Good show. Call me by close of business today. You’ll see the sense in it. Besides, I’m sure you’ll find it most rewarding to work alongside a talented fellow like Rik. He has such very good taste, don’t you think? Tell me, how did you get started in advertising?”
“It represented the maximum shortfall from what I was supposed to use my abilities for.”
“Oh, we’re not all such villains, in this industry! Has the shortfall lived up to your expectations?”
“It’s exceeded them. It’s given gave me extra hatreds to cultivate.”
“And you wear them at such rakish angles.”
“Yes. I’ll break myself yet.”
*
Next morning Evelyn Carmello, laboratory manager and assistant programmer, sits at a keyboard in the Mainframe Corporation’s computer lab. Three shelves run around the circular space, which is designed like an auditorium. A series of monitors sits on the top shelf. One shelf ben
