Robert William Service, The Law of the Yukon
Raoul through operation managing partner who is U.S based approach U.S Computer Company. They needed a VP Consulting-Europe. Would he be interested? No.
Raoul later called Stefano with a change of heart. Too late, the job was filled, but would Raoul consider running their Latin American operations? Maybe, Can we talk?
A three-way telephone conversation with Stefano and the company's executive VP-Latin America produced an invitation to visit headquarters in the United States. Plan to be here three weeks; they told him, we'll pick up all expenses. It was set.
Raoul's plane arrived safely at Kennedy International, but not his luggage. It was gone, causing immediate confusion and distress. An omen? He wondered. No, he convinced himself, this happens all the time. Buy new clothes, get on with it. Nonetheless, his stress level began to build. He met first with Stefano - easy, relaxed reminiscing - but Stefano was called away, urgently. Raoul waited three hours alone in the office examining knick-knacks, titles in the bookcases and the window views; then scanning corporate literature on the end tables; then pacing. What's happening? More stress. Chest pains, too.
Finally, Stefano returned. He was visibly shaken, lower lip quivering, chin and shoulders sagging, mumbling to himself in Spanish. He hardly noticed Raoul, saying only, "I feel sick. I'm going home." Muerte, Raoul thought, what's happened to Stefano? More chest pains.
Stefano was fired, Raoul learned the next day. Would you be interested in his job, they asked - $750,000 salary, stock options, million-dollar home? No, Raoul replied, too much risk. I don't need it or the money, and Stefano is my friend. Consider it, they asked, stay a few more days, talk to a few people. He did and his anxiety level and chest pain increased steadily. One night he went to the hospital emergency room, it was so bad. They wired him up and kept him overnight.
Days later, the company finally said there was no job of any kind for him. Thank you for coming, but go back to Spain. He went back to the emergency room.
And, when the company refused to pay his expenses - airfare, replacement clothing, hotel, meals, transportation, hospital, etc. - Raoul had to protest and negotiate. More stress, more pain, a third visit to the emergency room.
Ultimately, the company agreed to pay half his expenses. The interview had cost him a friend, a harrowing couple of weeks and almost $15,000 - for nothing.
