The Last Network - Chapter 7
Kendra Calling
Rabbit stared at a door locked with a keypad. He was trying to get to the parking garage and didn’t feel good about this latest obstacle. Somewhere along the way he’d taken a wrong turn. He tried the handle. It was locked, and it was cold. He pressed his ear to the door and heard whirring fans behind it. That was a server room, not a stairwell. Disappointed, he turned and retraced his steps. His phone rang as he walked down the hall.
“Rabbit, it’s Kendra. Got a minute?”
“Sure, but first things first. Do you have any idea where my stairs are?”
“My building keeps them in the northwest corner.”
“I have no idea where I’m facing. No windows back here.” Rabbit reached the end of a hall and paused looking left then right. “What’s up?”
“Paolo still can’t stop talking about the demo. You need to let me take a ride sometime, maybe I can go out on one of your dates with you.”
“Funny Kendra.”
“I’m not kidding. I think it would be hot to watch you wine and dine some sexy little strumpet.”
“Peared can do so many things, and your first thought is voyeurism. Sorry Kendra, but there are no sexy little strumpets. I’m the child in my relationships. I’ve been dating divorcees. Women with kids, the type that does barre and only has time for dinner once a week.”
“That doesn’t sound like you. Still haven’t gotten over Diana yet?”
“Oh, I’m well past her. Hard not to be given how things went. No, I’m putting everything I have into Peared. A night out a week is all I can spare. Matches up well with a certain type.”
“Well Peared is what I am calling about. We’ve seen a lot of tech specs—it looks like Immercast has that covered. I like your new COO, Sonny. He has his shit together. What we haven’t seen is branding and positioning. Who is the target market? Where are the customer archetypes? What does success look like? We need branding, life cycles, and marketing budgets just as much as the API docs.”
“It’s coming. I’m meeting with Em Nichols tomorrow. She’s leading our product launch.”
“You got Em Nichols? Now, that’s impressive. I’d love to have been inside your glasses when you pitched her. If Paolo is raving, and Em is onboard, this thing must be good. I’m getting that magical tingle I love so much.”
“Kendra, I don’t remember you being such a perv.”
“The money tingle, Rabbit. You know it’s been a little dry around here. I need Peared to make it rain.”
“I’m going to drown us all, Kendra. Just give me your best people and stock up on umbrellas.”
“That’s what I like to hear. Next time Malcolm and I are in town, we are going out for dinner. A double date with one of your cougars. Maybe we’ll head out on the boat after?”
“Sounds nice Kendra. Say ‘hi’ to Malcolm for me.”
“Will do. I can’t wait to see what Em comes up with.”
“Me too.”
“And Rabbit, just retrace your steps. It’s an office building, the stairs can’t be far away.”
“You’d think that. I’ll see you around Kendra.” He hung up and turned left.