Terry and Jack worked in the same office. Jack was one of those good looking, athletic sorts of fellows. He was always seen around town with a different lady friend. His desk was always tidy and clean and he was always bragging about how he finished all his projects before they were due, and how well he did them. He worked out at the gym every day and spent quite a lot of money on his clothing – it always fit him perfectly and looked good on him. His teeth were capped, his hair was styled, and he always had a new joke to tell people. He looked good and he knew it. He was self-confidence personified.
Terry was quiet, and shy. He wore thick glasses and usually looked rather rumpled. He spent his lunch hour quietly at his desk, usually with a book. No one ever saw him out on the town. His desk was usually filled with papers and projects and he was always busy. He was always polite when people talked to him, but they usually snickered behind his back and called him “Geek” and “Nerd”. He just ignored them.
One day the boss called both Jack and Terry into his office.
“I have a big project,” he said. “It’s an important one. The success of this project could double the profits of this company in the next quarter. You two are my best workers. I want the two of you each to put together a presentation – the man whose ideas are chosen will receive a promotion and a big bonus. You have a week. Now get out there and get going!”
Jack looked at his boss and then gave Terry a sideways look and winced.
“What’s the matter, Jack, eat something for lunch that disagreed with you?”
“Huh? Oh, no sir, I mean, I was just…”
“Get going, Jack. If you’re as good as you say you are, you have this in the bag.”
As the two men turned to leave, the boss added, “By the way, Terry, nice job on that last project.”
Jack gave Terry a nasty look as Terry turned and thanked the boss quietly.
Both men hurried back to their cubicles to start work on the project.
For Terry, starting work on the project meant doing research on the project and all the work they had done for that company in the past.
For Jack, it meant stopping to gossip with the other office workers about how he had this one made – he would win it hands down. How could that Terry even begin to think he could compete with a winner like Jack? Why, hadn’t Jack graduated from one of the best colleges in the country? Terry had just gone to State. Jack had been here longer, too, and knew the company better… There were a hundred reasons that Terry should just give up and tuck his tail between his legs and run away home. He just wasn’t ready to play with the big boys! Jack laughed heartily and spent the rest of the afternoon planning how he would spend his bonus.
In his office, the boss smiled and leaned back in his chair. He had a pretty good idea how things would turn out, but it would be fun to watch it all develop. He liked to set up little challenges like this. It kept the workers on their toes.
For the next two days, both men worked on research and began to plan their presentations. Jack would pop into a co-worker’s cubicle and toss a few ideas around and bask in the admiration of his peers. Terry stayed in his own workspace and worked diligently.
By the fourth day, Jack had actually settled into his cubical and appeared to be working diligently. Terry, of course, had been doing this all along. However, if someone looked carefully at what Jack was doing, they would discover that he was really playing solitaire on his computer. He also spent some time on the phone, asking out a different girl every night.
Finally, it was the last day. Terry had an enormous pile of papers on his desk and a portfolio full of his presentation. Still, he stayed at his desk and worked. Jack also had a portfolio full of his presentation. However, his desk was clean and tidy. It didn’t look like he had worked on anything.
The two men went into the boss’s office to give their presentations. Jack went first. His presentation was a little rough around the edges, but the overall thing was brilliant. His ideas sparkled as brightly as his capped teeth. He smiled and gestured with great flourishes and generally was very impressive. Clearly, he was just as good as he said he was. At last he sat down with a satisfied look on his face. “Over to you, Terry old man,” he said.
Terry nervously set up his presentation. It was finished, polished, and every bit as brilliant as Jack’s presentation. His wasn’t a theatrical presentation, but it was calm and competent. He obviously knew what he was talking about. Jack grew more and more nervous as it went on, fidgeting in his chair and running his fingers through his hair.
Finally, Terry came to the last point.
“And to sum it all up,” he said, “I think that you should go with Jack’s ideas. His presentation was good, his ideas were brilliant, and I think he should win.” Terry set down his pointer and stood there with a slight smile on his face.
Jack looked at him with his mouth gaping open. “Look here, I agree with you that I should win and everything, but what the hell?”
“Indeed, Terry, why are you saying this? Your presentation was excellent as well. You two are my best workers, even though you are quite different in style.” The boss frowned and leaned forward. “And if this is some gimmick to make me choose you, it is certainly going to backfire on you!”
Terry shook his head and said, “No, it’s not that. It’s just that while I was researching the company I found out what a great company it is. It was wonderful benefits, really nice people, and better pay. I applied for a job there, interviewed yesterday, and this morning they called to tell me I got the job. I don’t want to win this because I won’t be here. I’ll get better pay, an office of my own, and lots of the people are – well, they’re like me. What you call geeky. The atmosphere there seems to be much nicer and more tolerant and people like to work together on things. I’ll be much happier there. So, this is my two weeks’ notice.” He placed an envelope on the boss’s desk. Then he turned to Jack, who was still sitting there with his mouth falling open. “Jack, I wish you the best of luck in your new position! I’m sure you’ll do fine.” Terry picked up his things and whistled a little tune as he left the office, nodding at the boss as he went.
