The Build Up (15)

“No. Just felt like it needs to be said,” Greer retorted.

Robinson nodded. “I’m inclined to agree with Greer. I think there needs to be a ‘less is more’ approach here.”

I sighed. Of course, Robinson would agree with Greer. Greer was his pick for partner. He would do anything to make that happen. Including, undermining a perfectly logical design.

Riddle, trying to cut the tension, interjected. “Well, you two, this is a splendid start I think, but yes, it may be a bit much for our clients.”

“They’re Spanish. This shouldn’t look like a Dominican bodega,” said Greer.

The rest of the senior associates chuckled. Riddle gave Greer a pointed look, and he stopped laughing and cleared his throat. I looked over at Ari, her head held high. In the weeks since working here, her confidence soared. I had to admit that it was rubbing off on me.

“I hear what you’re saying but... I think if we just present it to them with some minor tweaks...they’ll appreciate it,” I said.

“And it will only need minor tweaks. I promise our next showing will be stronger,” said Ari.

Robinson looked at the notes and wrote some things down, finally saying, “I hope so. As you know, the Serrano Group will need to see progress toward an outstanding design during this concept phase. I’d hate to see them dissatisfied.”

“Over my dead body,” mumbled Ari. I stifled my laughter. I liked this woman. She was tough as nails.

“That would be a lot of body,” Greer, seated to my immediate left, said under his breath. A few of the associates laughed. Riddle and Robinson didn’t hear, as they were having their own discussion with the Serrano representative. I hoped Ari didn’t hear him.

“What was that, Greer?” asked Ari.

Oh. Shit.

The associates went silent. “Oh...nothing. It was nothing,” said Greer. I could see him getting hot under the collar. I was sure his painted goatee would melt off his face like a Dali clock.

“Let’s try to keep it professional,” I said, speaking directly to Greer and out of earshot of the partners. “The firm is a team, man. A win for one is a win for all.”

“Well, since you brought up teams, I’d like to make a proposal,” blurted out Greer, looking over to the partners to get their approval to continue. Both Riddle and Robinson nodded.

Ari looked at me wide-eyed. I shrugged, not sure what was going on. Our meetings weren’t like this usually. Greer was trying to throw a monkey wrench in it.

Greer continued. “If I may. This stadium is a big deal for this firm. I mean, really. We’re the first African American lead architectural firm in the nation to build something of this magnitude. For something with so many stakeholders, I think maybe we should get some...alternative concepts for the Serrano Group. Porter and Ari, what you’ve presented was...interesting. But I think the Serranos deserve to see what the best of this firm has to offer. That includes perspectives from, well, the best.”

Ari’s jaw went slack. Before she could say anything that started with a “mother” and ended with a “fucker,” I held up my hand. “You mean yourself?”

Greer shrugged, nonchalantly. “I mean, now that you’ve mentioned it, Jacobi and I have been mulling around some ideas. I mean, we would have brought them to you guys but you appeared as if you had a handle on things. But it seems, I was wrong. This is a daunting task. We’re more than willing to present what we have. If the partners and Serrano Group are interested.”

Ari scoffed. “So, you’re trying to make this some sort of competition?”

Greer let out a breath and adjusted his cuff links. “Oh, Ms. James, it’s not a competition. That’s so juvenile. We’re beyond that. It’s just about...options. Everyone likes options. Especially when the options are exceptional rather than just acceptable.”

My nostrils flared. This weasel. Of course, Greer and his stool pigeon Jacobi would conspire to come up with a design of their own. I looked over at Ari who was totally dumbfounded. We both watched as Riddle and Robinson whispered to each other, and then to the Serrano Group representative. I looked at Greer out the corner of my eye. He sat there, beaming as if he’d won a prize at a state fair. I wanted to knock that smug grin off his face.

Riddle cleared his throat. “Well, what Greer has proposed is highly unorthodox. And yes, we aren’t competitive at this firm. But he’s right. We need to give the Serrano Group as many options as possible. But what you presented was good.”

Robinson nodded. “Yes. It was good. But we want great. You two seem to enjoy being creative. The design reflected out of the box thinking. Impressive. But there also must be an element of practicality. That wasn’t clear in the design you presented today. The two of you seem to make an incredible team. We know you can give us something better. So go back to the drawing board. I look forward to seeing more from you all. In the meantime, we will field other designs from Greer and Jacobi at these meetings as well. We’ve got plenty of time to get this right.”

I watched as Ari’s body language went from stark-raving mad to defeated. I had to get this meeting back on track. “Mr. Robinson, I can assure you, Ms. James and I can handle unorthodox. This is our project.” Ari tapped her foot violently as she sat next to me. She had gone from defeated to pissed off. Eventually, she rubbed her hands down the side of her pencil skirt a few times, settling her restlessness.