Chapter 2

Robbie worked as a midlevel manager in the Distribution Division of the As The Cookie Crumbles company. Headquartered in Atlanta, the company had 250 outlets throughout the south. They specialized in extra large cookies with unique flavors. Founded eight years before, they had grown from a single mom and pop shop in Atlanta to a billion dollar company with 20,000 employees. Robbie had gone to work for them four years ago, getting two promotions to become one of two managers directly reporting to the Distribution Division manager. That manager, Percy Simmons, was reaching retirement age, and the rumor was that he would retire within a year. Robbie knew that he was in competition with the other direct reporting manager, Derek.

Robbie and Derek were both good managers, but very different physically. Robbie was six feet tall and due to his exercise regime he weighed 155 pounds. Derek was shorter, about five feet nine, and weighed a plump 220 pounds. They both felt they were next in line for Percy’s position, and both worked hard to show their excellence.

Mallory was well aware of Robbie’s ambition. They had talked about it many times and she supported his desire to move up. He worked extra hours and constantly looked for ways to improve the Division so that he would impress Percy. An idea formed in her head. She turned her attention back to Heather saying, “I wonder if he really would be willing to put on weight if it would get him that promotion he wants.” Heather thought about it for a moment and asked, “But how would you convince him that he needed to pork up to get promoted? He wouldn’t believe you if you just told him that he needed to gain weight to get ahead.”

“You’re right, he wouldn’t. He knows I want him to put on weight, and he’d think this was just a scheme to get it. And he’d be right. But if it came from inside his company…”

“Like, if a rumor started that Percy would want his successor to be chubby?” Heather mused. “But how would you start such a rumor, and how would you get Robbie to believe it?”

Mallory grinned mischievously. “You know, every big company has office assistants, secretaries, whatever you want to call them. And they all have a network. If one office assistant hears something, every OA in the company will know it and quickly. The question is where to start.”

“How about with Percy’s OA? If she were to start that rumor, everyone would believe it.”

“True, true,” Mallory answered. “But the OA for Robbie and Derek would have to be in on it. We just have to figure out how to get her on our side. I’ve met her a couple of times. Her name is Felisha. She seems nice. And she’s kind of plump, so maybe she’d be okay with helping me fatten up Robbie.”

“If Robbie got the promotion, wouldn’t he bring Felisha up with him? So if she helps us, there’s a promotion in it for her.”

“I like it. The only problem is Percy’s OA, Rebecca. She’d have to move to another position or retire. I’ve met her too. She’s probably retirement age, but I don’t know if she’s ready to retire.”

Heather thought for a minute. “So, all you have to do is get Percy’s OA to start a rumor that he’ll want his replacement to be the chubby image that As The Cookie Crumbles is known for. And Felisha will have to make sure Robbie hears the rumor and believes it. Piece of cake, right?”

“The company Christmas party is in three weeks. It’s always an open bar, so everyone gets a little toasty, at least. I’ll see how it goes and maybe I’ll try to talk them into it after they’ve had a few drinks.”