“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.
Riddle and Robinson got up from their chairs. As they passed us, Riddle stopped to pat me on the back. “Good start, you two. Let’s reconvene in about two weeks. Greer and Jacobi, I’ll be expecting us to see these ideas you’ve been working on.”
“Yes,” stated the representative for the Serranos. “I’ll be letting the Serranos know the firm is off to a good start and going to present plenty of options. Well done.”
Everyone dispersed. I watched as the representative for the Serranos gave us a courteous nod while exiting. I swallowed, thankful we hadn’t fucked up royally. I let out a breath.
Greer walked past me, bumping into my shoulder. I stopped him. He looked down at my hand on his shoulder with a snarl.
“You’re a fucking snake,” I whispered. “Don’t think for one second your name is going to be anywhere near this stadium.”
Greer jerked his shoulder away from my hand, stepping close to my face. “And what are you going to do, Harrison? I guarantee it won’t be creating a better design. You’re coming up short, as usual. This won’t be any different. Senator Harrison can’t bribe anyone this time to get you what you want.”