Executive Sweet (A Sample)

The song ended and Surfer Boy again walked off the dance floor; he seemed to be able to endure just one song at a time before he needed a rest. Kay followed him, and noticed that Dan was still dancing, but now he had a different partner.

When they got off the dance floor, Kay tried to be friendly. "So, where do you surf?"

He paused and gave her a puzzled look, then raised an eyebrow. "You don't know who I am, do you?"

"Sorry, who are you?"

"I'm O.E. Orton. I built Power AG and sold it to all the big banks."

Kay looked at him with wide eyes but kept her cool. Oh my god, I'm partying with O.E. Orton. Dan had warned her that this would happen. Orton was the famous young entrepreneur, the business genius. You couldn't get your MBA these days without studying his success. "Oh of course, Mr. Orton. I've heard of you."

"Yes, everyone's heard of me." He preened and stood up straight. "I sold my company for a half billion dollars, you know."

Braggart. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Kay. Kay Gershon." This was a rare opportunity to ask him a question about Power AG. She'd puzzled over it in school and discussed it with her classmates, but nobody seemed to know the answer. Surely Orton would.

No, shut up! No nerd talk at a party. But this was Orton, standing right in front of her. She couldn't resist. "May I ask you a question about Power AG?"

"Why certainly." He held his hands out toward her, ready to woo her with his brilliant answer.

"Is your analysis engine stochastic or does it use real historical data?"

Orton's head snapped back and he gave Kay a perplexed look, as if seeing her for the first time. "Who gives a shit? I had the best product because I hired the best people. Ask them how it works, not me."

How embarrassing. He had no idea what she was talking about. "Okay, I'm sorry-I made a mistake. Can we forget I said anything?"

Orton looked her over, one eye arched. "Damn, a beautiful nerd . . . weird . . ." He snapped out of it and looked away. "Say! I need another drink!" He turned to leave but Kay grabbed his arm and forced him to look at her, one last time.

"Very nice to meet you, Mr. Orton." Orton smiled unconvincingly and wandered off in search of a drink, obviously seeking refuge from the nerd girl-refuge that could be satisfied by nearly any other woman here.