Friday morning at the Sterling Era Training Complex was usually loud. But today the office was quiet.
Michael Sterling sat at his desk. He was staring at a box.
It was a black box. It looked expensive. A courier had delivered it ten minutes ago and Arthur Milton was circling it like a shark circling a boat.
"Open it Boss," Arthur whispered. "It might be a bomb. Or cake. I hope it is cake."
"It is not cake Arthur," Michael said. "The courier asked for a signature. You do not sign for cake."
Michael reached out. He lifted the lid.
Inside nestled in black velvet lay a trophy.
It was heavy. It was shiny. It was the Barclays Manager of the Month award for January.
"Whoa," Arthur gasped. "It is beautiful. It is shiny enough to see my face in it. Look at my nose. It looks huge."
Michael picked it up. It felt cold and solid in his hand.
