Numbered Account

Sylvia tapped her nails on the message slip and picked up the phone. She wasn't seeing anyone at the moment, why not call him back? She reminded herself that he was independent like her, that she could date him without too big a risk of involvement. She preferred her relationships to have a maximum of passion and a minimum of commitment. Special treats she allowed herself once or twice a year. She'd worked too hard for her own freedom to give it up by getting stuck in a relationship- any relationship. She expected that someday she'd want something more secure, something for the rest of her life, but for now she was happy with things as they were. Then why, dammit, couldn't she ignore the sentiment tickling deep inside her stomach that he might be the one?

Sylvia dialed Nick's extension. The phone rang once. A male voice answered. "Hello."

"You're supposed to give your family name. You're too friendly."

"Which one of you is this?" Nick asked. "Dr. Jekyll or Mrs. Hyde?"

"I'm sorry, Nick. Forget that call ever happened, would you. You caught me off guard."

"Deal."

A familiar voice drifted in from the hallway. "Fraulein Schon, are you in your office?"

Sylvia bolted upright in her chair. "Nick, I have to call you back. Maybe I'll come up to see your new office. Okay? Gotta run."

She hung up the phone even as his voice said "Bye."

"Good morning, Dr. Ott," she said brightly, already circling her desk to shake hands with the vice chairman of the United Swiss Bank. "An unexpected pleasure." She was not happy to see the rotund form rolling into her office for an unannounced visit. The man was a worm.

"The pleasure is all mine, Fraulein Schon." Ott stood before her, his hands interlocked on top of his bulging stomach. His lips had the habit of telegraphing his intention to speak three seconds ahead of time. Now Sylvia saw them beginning to squirm, as if disturbed by a weak current. "We have a tremendous amount of work to do," he said. "Many tasks to accomplish before the general assembly."

"Hard to believe that only four weeks remain," she said pleasantly.

"Three and one half, to be precise," corrected Ott. "Letters to your department's personnel regarding the voting of their USB shares at the general assembly must be written today. Be sure you make it exceedingly clear that everyone must vote for our slate of directors, either by proxy or in person. Everyone. I'll need a copy by five o'clock this afternoon."

"That's rather short notice," said Sylvia.

Ott ignored her comment. "In one week, you will phone each and every member of your department to learn which way they will vote."

"I don't mean to be impolite, but do you really believe that any of our employees could think it in their interest to vote for Konig?"

Ott bent forward at the waist, as if he had not heard her clearly. "Do I believe that?" he asked. "In the best of all possible worlds, of course not. But that's beside the point. The Chairman has instructed me to ensure that you personally telephone every member of the finance department. You are to encourage all employees to attend the meeting. A half day's leave will be granted. He's under the impression that you're well respected by your charges. You should be thrilled."

"I am. Just pressed for time. I'm leaving for the States next week. I've faxed an interview schedule to all the major schools we've worked with in the past. Harvard, Wharton, Northwestern, a few others."

"I'm afraid your trip will have to be postponed."

Sylvia smiled awkwardly. Had she heard him correctly? "We have to visit these schools before the end of March, or the top graduates will have committed to other companies. The trip will only require two weeks of my time. I planned on sending up a schedule to your office tomorrow."

Ott's lips twitched for a moment, then he spoke. "I am sorry, Fraulein Schon. Surely you can see that the Chairman requires your skills at home. Unless we repel Mr. Konig, we will have no need whatsoever for your crop of M.B.A.s."

Sylvia went to her desk and picked up the itinerary for her recruiting trip. "If you look at my schedule, you'll see that I plan on returning a full week before the assembly. Plenty of time to ensure that all votes will be cast for Herr Kaiser."

Ott brushed away the schedule and lowered his bulk into a chair. "You're still under the impression that since Herr Kaiser asked you to go to New York in my place, he has taken an interest in your career? My dear, your dining with Mr. Neumann showed admirable foresight. Very clever, indeed. Kaiser was quite impressed. Oh yes, you've poisoned the Chairman against me. That I grant you. I shall not be going to New York. But alas, Liebchen, neither shall you."

"Really Herr Doktor. I'm sure we can find a solution acceptable to you and to Herr Kaiser. I can shorten my trip."

"I think not. As I said, your services are too much in demand here."

"I must insist," Sylvia said loudly, unable to keep her desperation from spilling into her voice. "It was the Chairman's wish."