Chapter thirty three
   The Announcement

“These are of one mind and they give their power and authority to the beast.”

 John: Revelation 17.13 -New Testament

Christopher Golde

Date:               29th December 1999
Location:        Massachusetts, USA

 

 

             At neatly positioned intervals, around the large polished boardroom table, were six folders and six monitors. Sitting behind each monitor, were six people, three women, and three men. They all sat waiting patiently, and quietly, only an occasional murmur to break the sterile silence of the large room.

            The walls of the room were pristine white and apart from the large table and eight chairs, there were no other decorations except for several framed pictures that hung evenly spaced around the entire room. In every picture, was the face of Bill Gatwick, his wavy blonde hair, his broad smile of success, his bright blue flashing eyes. In every picture, he would be with a notable person, some were Presidents, in one a Queen, another a King, a collection of the world’s most powerful people. The pictures were there as a constant reminder of the success of Macram and most of all, the power of its owner, but to whom it was a reminder, was not clear.

            Certainly, everyone in this room now patiently waiting needed no reminder, as it was the company and the man that had made them all millionaires’, time and time over. Perhaps, it was the competitors that Gatwick brought to this room, hoping to intimidate them into submission. Perhaps, it was for his own benefit, to remind him of whom he was and why he would do anything to stay there.

            A door at one end of the boardroom opened and two men entered proceeding directly to the head of the table, where two seats were still unoccupied. A hushed silence abruptly concluded any murmuring, as Bill Gatwick stood at the head of the table and shifted his gaze over each of the waiting six. Behind him, a screen appeared from a slit in the roof and slowly slid down into place. Just as silently, the Macram logo appeared on its flat surface, an image directly replicated on each of the monitors around the table.

            “You are the people who control the everyday operation of Macram,” Gatwick began, speaking solemnly to his subservient audience, “you are the people who shape and mold the world as we know it. Our company is the most powerful software developer on the planet and therefore the most influential. We allow businesses globally to make billions of dollars every year, we make life easier for the common man, we set standards, and we control destinies. Today, I have called you all here to announce a business deal which we are about to embark on, that will take this company to the next level.”

The eyes of the room were steadfastly focused on Bill Gatwick, they knew their boss was more earnest than usual, even though these pep talks were not uncommon. There was something distinctly different in his disposition today. Some who knew him very well, and had been with him right from the beginning, detected a new level of fanaticism, or was it insanity?

‘His eyes were different today,’ thought Marcia Wales.

Marcia was the division head for Research and Development and had been with Macram for nearly fifteen years, starting with the company soon as she had graduated from university. She knew Gatwick was eccentric, and she was accustomed to his ego running wild, but she had never seen him quite like this.

            “The level I am speaking of is almost an evolutionary development, where software and hardware become as one, and this new combination will be the future model for all computers everywhere.”

            ‘Not this again,’ Marcia thought, ‘how many companies have tried this and failed?’

            She was actually a bit surprised that her boss had kept it a secret from her, usually, new projects would pass to her department for evaluation and yet she had heard nothing.

            “I know what you are all probably thinking,” continued Gatwick, without missing a beat, “it’s been tried before and it has failed. But, I say this with total commitment and conviction, it has not been tried by Macram, and that is what will make this time different. I have always believed, that this would be the necessary evolution of the computer and therefore when we succeed, it will be the most important breakthrough in the world of computing since Macram first created the graphical user interface and changed the world forever.”

Marcia smiled and applauded along with everyone else at the table, even though suggesting Macram created the GUI was a bit of a stretch she believed.

‘Improved it for sure’, she thought.   

Gatwick stood at the end of the table beaming, as he too clapped encouraging the euphoria of the room. Behind him, on the large screen was a picture of a factory.

            "This is to be our first joint venture factory in Japan, where the new chips will be made. These super chips will carry our operating systems and can fit into every computer in the world, right down to the size of a wristwatch. The new chips will be so versatile, they will be used in phones, laptops, televisions, cars, satellites and even small home appliances. They will all have the ability to be able to talk to each other making the world of computers and devices a singularity."

            Marcia saw it again. The flash of what could be mistaken for insanity in Gatwick’s eyes. What scared her the most was, she knew he was right this time. If they could pull it off, and she knew they could, it could be a little bit frightening. Macram could control every technological thinking device on the planet.

            Gatwick continued.

            "Our partners in this enterprise are the giant Japanese electronics company Futuretronics and this is their factory." Gatwick pointed towards the factory on the screen behind him.

            "The joint venture of these two global giants will change the way we live and work, providing computing solutions that will create a new world order. We will essentially give power to the masses by providing them with access to knowledge and interactive devices once only dreamed of."

            She saw it again, the glimpse of a megalomaniac.

            "I know that most of these types of decisions have traditionally been made by this management board, but the delicacy of these negotiations have warranted the secrecy and I apologise if any of you feel left out, especially you Marcia and your research and development team," he looked directly at Marcia, "but I can guarantee you of your involvement going forward with this project."

            Marcia smiled as sincerely as she could. Gatwick seemed to accept it as genuine.

            "You will be working closely with our Japanese counterparts and tomorrow you will be leaving with a small team to visit the factory and look at the progress to date."

            Now, she found it hard to smile. She was right in the middle of Christmas New Year break when she was called in for this meeting and now she would have to travel to Japan and spend New Year there.

            "The rest of you will be involved in preparing our announcement to the world, which will happen appropriately on the first day of the new millennium."

            Around the room, each executive looked at each other with astonishment. Their holidays were over.

            One brave voice spoke up. He was Mace Carter, responsible for the software writing team.

            "Bill, is it really so necessary to rush this, I mean that’s just three days and we have only just found out." Mace was flushed. Not many ever dared question Bill Gatwick.

            Gatwick stared at him, as if he were staring at a blank wall, totally expressionless.

            "Mace, it is the beginning of the new millennium." He began to walk around the table towards Mace as he spoke. Marcia felt nervous at what the reaction might be. She could not even imagine what Mace was feeling.

            "You know how hard we have worked to create fear about the millennium bug." He was now standing right next to Mace and he put his hand on his shoulder. Mace could feel how firm the grip was, even with the padding in his suit shoulder.

            "For the sake of a few holidays, you wouldn't want to miss the moment, would you? A moment that will define this company forever."

            Mace looked nervously up into Gatwick's face.

            "No, I guess not." He could see a spark of something in Gatwick’s face that was just not right. He gulped audibly. Gatwick looked around the room not releasing his grip on Mace's shoulder.

            "Is there anyone else who feels like Mace?"

            There was complete silence. Gatwick turned to a suited security guard that stood by the door.

            "You," said Gatwick to the guard, "take Mr. Carter to his office and help him to pack it up."

            The rest of the team was totally stunned and fear burned in each one of their stomachs. This had never happened before, not to one of the Executive, they were thought to be untouchable.

            Marcia knew she must be visibly red and perspiring. The chip had not even been built yet and her world had already changed completely, and tomorrow she would be in Japan.

            Gatwick had walked back to the head of the table and Mace had left with the security guard. He put his hands on the table and looked around the room.

            "Are there any more questions?"