'The VCs are on at me again about sacking the marketing VP', writes Ed in his diary, 'they're always on at me about sacking the marketing VP. They don't understand our technology, our products or our markets but they think they understand about marketing - everyone thinks they understand about marketing.'
'There are three reasons why I shouldn't sack the marketing VP: 1. He does a good job; 2. The customers like him; 3. He knows all about Christina.'
(Earlier entries in Ed's diary refer to this leggy blonde who Ed hired on £45,000 a year as his secretary. It seems the relationship expanded beyond the strictly secretarial.)
'The VCs have left me in no doubt that it's him or me', writes Ed, 'I call him in.'
'"Tom", I opened tactfully, "have you ever thought that your abilities are wasted here?"'
'"Stop taking the piss Ed", replied Tom, "Are you trying to fire me?"'
'"Tom, Tom", I say, trying to calm him down, "It's not me who's trying to fire you."
'"I know, I know it's the bastard VCs. They don't know tiddly-squat about the technology, the markets or the products, so they hit on the marketing guy as the one to sack."'
Silence.
'"I'll go for a million".'
'"Sovs or bucks?"'
'"Sovs."'
'"Shit Tom I can't get them to agree to that."
"Then I don't go quietly. There's a lot I can say to the press and customers that could have a nasty effect on the IPO. And then there's all that stuff with you and Christina,"
"You wouldn't".
"Try me, Ed."
'"I can't do it legal and honest, Tom, but I'll see if there's a way we can bung you a million in other ways. But you'll have to sign something to say you'll keep quiet about the pay-off and . . . . . .and everything else."'
'"Just get it done", says Tom, "let me know when you want to move. In the meantime I'm taking a fortnight's holiday. The
'Bastard', writes Ed, 'but what can I do? Bastard VCs. Still, it's only 165 days to the IPO and I'll be far from here with a wicked wodge of wonga.
Speaking as a Marketing VP, I admire the ambivalence with which you've created the character here, David. On the one hand we feel sorry for him in that he's good at his job and suffers from (as really happens) everyone thinking they know better. On the other hand, he's obviously a conniving b**tard not above a little blackmail! Anyway, gotta go. In order to collect my future $M, better go and find out about any local Christinas...
That's the way Paul.