After listening to the verbal jousting that had been going on, I was relieved to hear Mr. Parsons tell everyone to take a break and scatter. I took full advantage of it and went outside to the back deck, to light up a half smoked stogie that I had stashed in the front pocket of my dress shirt. It took a few puffs to get it lit, and I stood there and smoked it in peace until two more people came out to join me. Angie came out to light her own smoke, while Nicholas came out to get away from everyone else, or at least that's what my guess was since he didn't smoke anything.

"You okay, man?" I asked Nick, seeing he was a little flustered.

"I'll be fine," Nicholas replied, "Just a little tired."

"This circle jerk won't last for long," I reassured him, "Not with how combative it's gotten."

"You'd be surprised," Angie countered, "Mr. Parsons doesn't like people who agree with everything he says. He prefers to be in the room with smart people who disagree with him. He enjoys being a gladiator in the arena of lively debate."

"Does he now?" I said, slightly intrigued. I did also consider the source, thinking Angie might be daring me to challenge him too harshly, which could cost Rachel some points. It wasn't something I was willing to put past the sneaky bitch.

"We hit him with some doozies," Angie continued, "And he seemed more amused than offended. I just with I knew what this whole charade was about."

"It's a promotion," Nicholas answered, "It's a big one too."

"Does that seem fair?" Angie asked, "That you know what this is about and we don't?"

"If that's true," I interjected, "Then why would he tell us now and give up his advantage?"

"I don't want it," Nicholas said, "I'm happy where I am and don't want the additional hassle that comes with it. My life is too fucked up as it is right now, I don't need more chaos."

"I get it, brother." I said, patting Nick on the shoulder. "Take things easy and let everyone else bloody themselves up for the chance to climb the ladder."

"Well, if it is true." Angie said, smiling. "Then that means one less person to beat for it. Thanks for the heads up."

She put our her cigarette, and walked back into the house.

"What a cunt," Nick said, almost regretting what he had told her.

"Don't worry about it," I said, snickering as I agreed with his assessment. "I'll make sure everyone else knows so she won't try to have an advantage going forward."

"I'll do one better," Nick said, "I'm going to tell everyone when we go back in. Make sure everyone is on a even playing field."

"That works too." I said, liking this idea. "Your boss might not like having his rug pulled out from under him. He might want to share this on his own time."

"Fuck him and his games," Nick said, "Fuck him for not being up front and honest about it."

"Well this evening is going to be a real clusterfuck," I said, snicking again. "I can't wait to see this pileup. He won't fire you over this, will he?"

"I don't give a shit if he does," Nick confessed, "He knows the guy who owns that Ferrari will hire me on the spot if he's stupid enough to let me go. So I doubt it."

"I love it," I said, "I'll have your back if things get too rough."

"Cheers," Nick said, "See you in there."

After Nick left the patio, I could see Rachel walking back into the living room from the bathroom and she looked out at me. She hated it when I smoked my cigars, but this time my habit had helped me gain some key intel for her. I waved for her to come out and join me, and after a little reluctance she came out to the patio.

"What the fuck do you want?" She asked.

"Nick just dropped a bomb out here," I told her, "And he's going to drop it again when we all go back in after this break."

"What do you mean?" Rachel asked.

"He thinks this whole thing is about a promotion," I continued, "That you're all being evaluated for a position that appears to be very higher than where you are now."

"How does Nick know this?" She asked me.

"He didn't say," I answered, "But I have a feeling he's going to let all be known when we gather back up and he spills it for everyone to know."

"Why would he do that?" Rachel asked.

"Whatever the job is, he doesn't want it." I said, smiling at the thought, "But he's going to toss a monkey wrench into your boss' plans. It's going to be fucking nuts."

"Alright," Rachel said, seeming to mental prep for the shit storm to come. "Try to hang back this time, and let Nick do his thing. Once we know what we're dealing with, we can form a plan."

"What for?" I asked.

"You never know," Rachel said, "I might not want this either. Until we know what we're dealing with here, we need to sit back and chill."

"Alright," I said, even though chill was something I had a hard time doing.

"Thanks for the heads up," Rachel said, giving me a kiss on the cheek. "Finish that terrible thing up and get back in here sooner rather than later. Okay?"

"Yes, Ma'am." I said, giving her a half assed salute.

I watched Rachel walked back into the house, taking a moment to admire her ass as she did, and then took a few more puffs of my stogie before putting it out. There was over a quarter of it left, and I'd probably finish it later in the night as I stashed it back from whence it came. I walked back into the house, actually looking forward to Round two.