They Gave Me Nine Dollars So I Took The Whole Company
Platform overhead, marketing spend, client retention costs you think thats free?
You should be on your knees thanking me for the $9.99. Now sign it.
I went to my boss, Mark, looking for a shred of sanity. I found only deeper humiliation.
Whatever Finance says, goes. We cant bend company policy for your personal gain.
Then, with a magnanimous sigh, he added, Look, Ill tell you what. Ill throw in my own money to make it $99.99. For good luck. Happy now?
Later, that same Finance Director used a web of fabricated policies to cut my expense report until I owed the company money.
Thats when I finally understood. I would follow their policies. To the letter.
Two weeks later, I sat in silence during a meeting for a two-million-dollar deal.
My boss had a complete meltdown.
1
Nine ninety-nine. Sign it.
Veronica Lang, the Director of Finance, slapped the pay stub down on my desk. The acrylic tips of her nails clicked against the paper.
Veronica, I closed a million-dollar deal. How is my commission nine dollars and ninety-nine cents? I fought to keep my voice steady, to keep the tremor of disbelief from cracking it.
Hmph. She tapped impatiently at her monitor. That client signed because of the Nexus Dynamics platform. Did you really think it was because of you? Without the company, what are you?
Before I could form a retort, her fingers were flying across a calculator, a vicious staccato in the quiet office.
Your million-dollar contract had the highest overhead of any deal this quarter, she announced, as if delivering a verdict. Lets see we deduct 40% for platform fees, 30% for marketing, 20% for office administration, 10% for post-sale support
She spun the monitor toward me, a triumphant smirk on her face. After all the deductions, you were actually in the negative. See? But the company, in its infinite mercy, decided to forgive your debt and grant you a bonus of $9.99.
Her chin tilted up, a pose of regal condescension. Its an act of profound generosity. You should be grateful.
Of course, a million-dollar deal has higher costs than a ten-thousand-dollar one. But in her mouth, my success became a crime. A hot, tight knot of anger formed in my chest.
My hands clenched into fists. I spun on my heel and stormed into my bosss office, Mark Redmond.
Mark, I need a reasonable explanation for the commission on the Sterling account.
Marks usually warm smile evaporated the moment I said the word commission.
Ava, he said, his tone shifting to one of paternal disappointment. As a sales professional, you need to see the bigger picture. You cant get hung up on nickels and dimes. Think about the platform and the value this company provides for you.
As for the commission, he continued, steepling his fingers, whatever Finance says, goes. We cant bend company policy for your personal gain.
My commission should have been twenty-five thousand dollars, I said, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. I was barely suppressing a volcano of rage.
Marks voice hardened. You need to recognize your position here. Without this company, youre nothing.
Seeing the look on my face, he softened his approach, shifting to a posture of performative charity.
Look, I know its not easy. Ill tell you what. He leaned forward conspiratorially. Ill throw in my own money to make it $99.99. For good luck. Happy now?
I had come to him hoping for an ally, for a sliver of reason. Instead, he handed me a deeper, more personal humiliation.
I forced the words through my teeth. Mark, if this is how it works, who is ever going to close a major deal for this company again? Why would anyone kill themselves to land a big client, only to have Finance gut them and leave them with nothing?
He slammed his hand on the desk, the sound cracking through the office. He pointed a trembling finger at my face. Dont you dare take that tone with me! Ava, youve been here for years. The market is tough right now. You need to be a team player.
His voice dropped again, becoming a soothing, manipulative purr. Just focus on your work. Dont worry, your contributions will be remembered when its time for annual bonuses. Dont be so impatient.
Every word was a needle.
Dont bother, I said, my voice flat, devoid of the emotion that was churning inside me. Ill take the $9.99.
The second I stepped out of his office, I was swarmed. Veronica was at the center of the vultures circle.
Be happy with it, Ava. $9.99 is still money. You came out ahead, one of them chirped.
Exactly. You should be glad you dont owe them. You should thank Veronica and Mark for their kindness.
Some people just dont know their own worth, another chimed in, loud enough for the whole floor to hear. They really think the company cant survive without them.
Even my boyfriend, Liam, hurried over, his brow furrowed in annoyance. Why did you have to go and argue with Mark? he hissed under his breath. Making such a scene over a little bit of money. Youre embarrassing me.
A laugh, sharp and bitter, escaped my lips. Fighting for money I earned is embarrassing? Fine. From now on, why dont you all just donate your salaries back to the company? Work for charity.
That shut them up.
If a million-dollar deal was only worth $9.99, then my efforts were wasted here.
I sat down at my desk and calmly typed out a text message:
Sarah, about that business proposal you mentioned last month. Im in.
That afternoon, a potential investor, Mr. Peterson, came for a site visit. Mark was in full schmooze-mode, bowing and scraping. To showcase the companys strength, he made my million-dollar deal the centerpiece of his presentation.
Mr. Peterson, I wont lie to you, our sales team is the best in the business, Mark boasted. We have deep partnerships with several publicly traded companies. Just last month, one of our top people, Ava, closed a million-dollar contract. Thats the kind of talent we have here. You can rest assured.
He then called over to me. Ava! Come over here for a second. Share some of your insights with Mr. Peterson on how you landed that major deal.
I walked over, a practiced, professional smile fixed on my face.
Mr. Peterson, I said, my voice sincere and earnest, my biggest takeaway is that you must spare no effort in contributing to the companys success.
Mark nodded, beaming with satisfaction.
Here, you can see for yourself, I said, my tone suddenly shifting as I held my phone out for Mr. Peterson to see. Displayed clearly on the screen was my pay stub. And to recognize my contribution, Mark was generous enough to approve a staggering bonus of nine dollars and ninety-nine cents.
My voice was loud enough to carry across the room.
I insist on using this fortune to buy you a coffee later, as a small token of my appreciation.
Mr. Petersons expression darkened. He glanced at Mark, whose face had gone pale.
Your companys incentive program is unique, Mr. Peterson said, his voice now distant and cool. It seems you still have a long way to go.
Sweat beaded on Marks forehead. He scrambled to recover. Mr. Peterson, please dont misunderstand. The younger staff, they love to joke around. Our benefits package is absolutely top-tier
Mr. Peterson held up a hand, cutting him off. I think Ive seen enough for today. Well need to re-evaluate this partnership.
He turned and left without a backward glance.
Mark watched the deal walk out the door, then shot me a look of pure venom.
A moment later, a notification popped up in the company-wide Slack channel, posted by Veronica.
Due to inappropriate and unprofessional conduct during a client visit today, which has caused significant damage to the companys reputation, employee Ava Miller is hereby fined 0-0,000, to be deducted from her salary.
The office erupted in whispers.
Serves her right. Closes one big deal and suddenly shes royalty.
My colleague Rick snickered loudly. Some people need to be put in their place. They get a little success and their head gets so big they cant see straight.
Liam rushed to my desk, his voice a furious whisper. Are you trying to get fired, Ava? Is that it? Everyone knows were together. If youre going to self-destruct, dont drag me down with you.
I gave him a withering look and typed a public reply in the Slack channel, tagging Veronica.
@Veronica Lang, could you please cite the specific company policy this fine is based on? Thank you.
Veronica shot up from her desk, her hands on her hips. It was authorized by the CEO. My word is the policy. She lifted her chin, defiant. And this rule will be added to the employee handbook effective immediately. Does anyone else have a problem with that?
Rick was immediately on his feet, practically bowing. No, of course not! We completely support you and the company, Veronica. He glanced pointedly at me. People who cant follow the rules dont deserve to work here.
Others murmured in agreement.
Liam saw the tide turning and shoved my shoulder, hissing, Go and apologize to her right now, or we are done.
I brushed his hand away, disgusted. If you want to lick her boots, go ahead. I did nothing wrong.
For Gods sake, Ava, can you just be reasonable for once? he practically shouted.
Veronica watched our exchange with a cruel smile. Liam, you deserve better. I have a cousin, she just graduated from Stanford. I could introduce you two sometime.
Liams eyes lit up, even as he mumbled, Oh, you dont have to do that, Veronica.
The shamelessness of it all was breathtaking.
Fine. Were over, I said calmly.
Liam froze, then his face twisted in anger. What did you say? You dont get to break up with me. Im breaking up with you!
I shrugged. Whatever helps you sleep at night.
The next morning, Liam walked into the finance department with his head held high. Not five minutes later, another company-wide notification appeared.
An internal audit has revealed that Sales Executive Ava Miller engaged in a serious violation of contract policy. Without approval from Finance, she unilaterally granted a client an unauthorized discount. As a penalty, this employees salary will be reduced by two pay grades.
It had to be Liam.
I was bored anyway. I decided I might as well see this farce through.
In her office, Veronica tapped a long, crimson nail on a stack of contracts. Who gave you the authority to offer a client a 15% discount? Her voice was shrill, the nail jabbing in the air just inches from my face. This is a grave detriment to the companys interests. Im being merciful by not garnishing your entire salary to cover the loss.
She was warming up now, her voice rising with theatrical indignation. No wonder profits have been shrinking these past couple of years. We have traitors like you eating us out from the inside.
I pointed to the contracts on her desk. Veronica, Mark himself gave me verbal authorization to offer that discount to high-potential legacy clients. The repeat business and add-on sales from those accounts have more than covered that initial discount.
She slammed her palm on the desk. Is that verbal authorization written anywhere in the companys policies? Anywhere at all? No? Then it doesnt count! she shrieked. Dont think I dont see what youre doing, trying to shift the blame. Im already being lenient. Dont push it.
It was a witch hunt. I turned and walked out.
The office was buzzing.
She used company money to buy herself favors. Makes you wonder how she really closed all those other deals.
Rick picked up the thread. I always said there was something fishy. A woman pulling in numbers like that maybe she wasn't just offering them a discount, if you know what I mean.
Tsk, tsk. Acts all high and mighty, but who knows what she does behind closed doors.
I stopped. I picked up the lukewarm coffee from my desk, walked over to Rick, and poured the entire cup over his head.
Theres a sewer rat in here, I said calmly. Its making a lot of noise.
You youre an unhinged bitch! he sputtered, his face turning a blotchy red as coffee dripped from his hair.
I ignored him and returned to my desk, my fingers flying across the keyboard.
They wanted to accuse me of giving unauthorized discounts? Fine.
I went into the system and revised every single one of my active client proposals, setting the price to the absolute maximum allowed by company policy.
The emails from clients canceling their contracts started rolling in within the hour.
For the next week, my sales figures were zero.
On Monday morning, Mark came down to the sales floor himself.
Due to a lack of performance, he announced to the entire team, the two-million-dollar medical account previously managed by Ava Miller will be transferred to our new hire, Leo, who will be taking over effective immediately.
This Leo, Id heard, was a personal recommendation from Veronica. A real superstar.
The team burst into applause.
Congratulations, Leo! Its about time.
Some people just cant carry their own weight. Serves her right.
More daggers, all aimed at me.
During my lunch break, I walked past Marks office and heard voices.
Mark, darling, you can relax. Leos family owns a chain of clinics. He knows the medical sector inside and out. This deal is a slam dunk, Veronica cooed. Werent you worried about Ava having too much power? I found you a real loyalist.
You always know what I need, Mark laughed. Your bonus is doubled this month.
So, they were replacing me.
Too bad for them. That medical account was a minefield. Id spent a month doing due diligence, and the internal politics and technical requirements were more complex than anyone knew. A nepo-hire with a family connection wasnt going to just waltz in and close it.
I was almost excited to see how Leo would handle it.
At three oclock that afternoon, Mark was in his office, practically groveling into his phone. Yes, yes, of course. Dont worry, Ava will still be involved in the project.
The moment he hung up, he posted in the team channel.
While Ava has made some mistakes, I believe in second chances. Leo will remain the project lead, but Ava will provide support as an auxiliary member.
It seemed the client had pushed back. Mark couldnt afford to lose the deal, so he was forced to shove me back onto the team.
Fine by me. The new company Sarah and I were launching wouldnt be ready for a few weeks anyway.
I might as well enjoy the show.
Besides, I still hadnt been reimbursed for my last business trip. I wasnt about to let them keep that money.
I walked over to Veronicas desk with a stack of receipts. She was touching up her lipstick in a compact mirror.
Well, look what the cat dragged in. The companys star employee. The sarcasm was thick enough to choke on.
I placed the receipts on her desk. My expense report.
She poked at them with her pen as if they were contaminated.
Fifty dollars for an Uber? Couldnt you take the subway? Its three bucks.
Veronica, I was carrying three large cases of product samples. Did you want the client to think were broke? I replied patiently.
This hotel bill is outrageous. Why didnt you sleep under a bridge?
That was the cheapest corporate-rate hotel in the area. If youd feel safer under a bridge, youre welcome to try it on your next trip.
Veronicas head snapped up, her eyes flashing. Dont get smart with me. I say its not approved, its not approved.
She picked up another receipt. A hundred and fifty for a meal? What are you, a black hole?
I had to take the client for coffee and a sandwich. Or do you think our clients are black holes?
She was momentarily speechless, her face darkening. She took a red pen and started slashing through my receipts with a vengeance.
This ones blurry. Denied.
This one is past the submission deadline. Denied.
This one hmph, no itemized list. Who knows what sordid things you bought with this. Denied.
She punched numbers into her calculator, a cruel smile spreading across her face. Oh, and I almost forgot. You used a company laptop during your trip. As per the new fixed asset usage policy, theres a daily rental fee of fifty dollars. For eight days, thats four hundred dollars.
She scrawled a final figure on the reimbursement form and shoved it at me.
Read it and weep. For this trip, you owe the company $838. Ill be generous and waive the change. Well just deduct the eight hundred from your She paused, a look of mock realization on her face. Oh, silly me! I forgot we already docked your entire salary this month. Well, well just take it out of next months paycheck, then.
She watched me, waiting for me to break. Im just following company policy, she said sweetly. Is there a problem?
I looked at her mean, pinched face and felt a strange mix of pity and amusement.
No problem at all, I said calmly. Go ahead and deduct it. Consider it my contribution to your medication fund.
Her smile froze for a second before blooming into a triumphant, gloating laugh. Still trying to get the last word in. With all that energy, you should probably be figuring out how youre going to pay your rent this month. Ive seen your type beforebroke, arrogant, and always ending up with nothing.
Back at my desk, my phone buzzed. Another notification in the company Slack.
It has been determined that employee Ava Miller has violated company reimbursement policies with multiple non-compliant submissions. Her reimbursement privileges have been downgraded to the lowest possible level. At this company, policy is paramount. No one is above the rules.
The jackals descended immediately.
Good. Trying to scam the company for money. Absolutely shameless.
Rules are what separate us from the animals. About time the company cracked down on the bad apples.
My ex-boyfriend, Liam, even chimed in, seeking his own moment of glory.
For the record, I want to state publicly that Ava Miller and I officially ended our relationship last week. I am currently single.
The subtlety was overwhelming.
Veronica immediately replied with a tag. @Liam, good for you. My cousin is free this weekend. Ill set it up. Shes a real class act. Not like some people.
Then, she tagged me directly. @Ava Miller, see the memo? Cat got your tongue? Failure to respond to work-related communications in a timely manner is a hundred-dollar fine.
I took a deep breath and slowly typed my reply.
Seen. I am reflecting on my actions.
Veronica responded with a single smiley-face emoji, dripping with the smugness of a victor.
They wanted me to follow the policy?
Fine. This time, I would follow it to the very end.
A few minutes later, my phone began to ring incessantly.
The proposal meeting is starting! Where the hell are you? Why arent you at the clients office yet? Marks frantic voice crackled through the speaker.
I held the phone to my ear, my voice unhurried. Ubers arent a reimbursable expense, Mark. Im waiting for the bus.
Its two million dollars on the line, who gives a damn about an Uber fare right now? he roared.
My tone was placid. Mark, Leo is the project lead. His presence should be more than sufficient.
Ava, the client specifically said if youre not here, theyre not signing the contract. Marks voice dropped, becoming a desperate plea. This is a two-million-dollar deal. We cant afford any mistakes. Just get over here. Please.
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