Spoils of the Game Read Online Free Page B

room and greeted the group with a broad smile. “Good morning, gentlemen. I trust you all had a good weekend.” For a few seconds Austin arranged some papers on the table as he toyed with the small audience. It was clear that all of the key players were very curious about what was to be said, and Austin was having fun with them.

    “So, gentlemen, what’s new?” asked Austin with a telltale smile on his face.

    Everyone in the room knew that Austin had no interest in their words, and each looked around the room for a clue from the others.

    “Well, if you gentlemen have nothing to say, then perhaps I do. I am thinking about taking some time off. I am not sure for how long. Perhaps it will be two or three months, perhaps it will be more, and there is a chance that it will be a lot less. I have a few things that I want to do that involve projects started by my wife. You guys know what you are doing, and the place might run better with me gone for a few months. I don’t know my exact plans, but I might leave right after the stockholders’ meeting next month. You guys can keep me up to date with e-mail, and if there is a crisis, I can come home early.”

    “So where are you going, boss?” said Carl Thomson, knowing that everyone wanted to know.

    “Paris.”

    It was about two o’clock when Austin’s meeting broke up. Everyone was a little surprised and everyone knew that things would be fine while the “Big Guy,” as some called him, was away.

    In Paris there was another meeting with a different result. Claude Badeau and Madeline Rousseau were in Badeau’s office. Badeau had given Madeline instructions on how to handle some of the other people in his department, and Madeline strongly disagreed.

    “Claude, it is not necessary that you treat people like slaves. They are people, and a little respect will do more than your constantly talking down to them. I don’t know one person on your list who would not do whatever is asked of them if you would just stop being an ass.”

    Madeline was about five foot four, but more importantly she could be ten feet tall if pushed into a corner.

    Badeau said, “Madeline, I have asked you to carry out my policies, which are intended to be the best for the department. It troubles me that you are insubordinate. Perhaps I need to replace you with someone who understands what I am trying to do.”

    “No civilized person can understand the mistreatment of personnel. With you, Claude, it’s a stupid power game. You have asked me to take on three separate jobs, and the good news is that I don’t have the time to carry out all of your petty policies. If you want to abuse people, do it yourself. Or if you want to dismiss me, fine. I used to love working here at the Louvre, but Claude, the last two years have been hell, and the last few weeks have been even worse. I will tell you right to your face that I don’t like or respect you, and perhaps a change would be best for both of us. Perhaps you, the managing director of the museum, and I should have a little meeting, and we can talk about the future of Madeline Rousseau at the Louvre.”

    Of all of the people that worked for him, Madeline was one of the few that would fight back. In Badeau’s defense, he had been under a lot of pressure, and recent events with Caron had not made things any easier. He had been allowed to operate his department without much supervision, and he did not need anyone bringing attention to the possibility that many in his group were unhappy.

    “Madeline, we have all been under a great deal of pressure, and perhaps my style is not your style. If you have difficulty with imposing a little discipline, then I will do it myself.”

    “Claude, it is more than a difference in style. So much of your style is unnecessary. You just play your little games and leave me out of it, but don’t be surprised if one day the entire group just walks out.”

    Madeline walked out of her boss’s office and went into