By Jeffrey Paolano
Ted adheres strictly to the precepts of familial financial budgeting, thereby husbanding family resources. Even so, inescapably, his income is insufficient.
Ted asks, “Can you get me twenty minutes with Carl tomorrow?”
“Subject?” asks Kathy, Carl’s assistant.
Ted, loath to expose his purpose, is nevertheless compelled. “Personal.” Mulling his Masters, his productive past year and no raise for thirteen months, he’s positioned with a solid case.
“Can you be more specific?”
Why does he anticipate rejection?
“I’m sorry, just personal.”
Moments before the appointment, Ted opens Carl’s calendar and cancels. He wagers he can wring a smidgen more from the budget.
These days it’s all a wager. There’s a lot of story behind these 101 words.