e (67 page)

Well done, gentlemen.

Jim

	[email protected] 1/12/00, 5:42pm
to:	[email protected]
cc:
re:	hoorah!

David’s e’d me and he’s so, so thrilled with you! He can’t believe how well you handled Ivana Trump. I knew you could do it – you have such a way with celebrities! And guess what! Melinda has been sneaking behind your back trying to steal the credit. The cow! I never wanted to say anything because it’s not in my nature to judge, but I always had her down as two-faced. I should trust my instincts more often. And David says to send through Brett and Vince’s stupid script. He wants to see for himself how rubbish they are! I knew that all you needed was a rest and you’d be able to turn everything around. Well done, my hero . . . Sx

	Harriet Greenbaum – 1/12/00, 5:47pm
to:	Pinki Fallon
cc:
re:	Freedom

I know you’re in the midst of reviewing this, but something has happened that necessitates tearing up the work and starting again. Call and I’ll explain.

	Rachel Stevenson – 1/12/00, 5:49pm
to:	Zoë Clarke
cc:
re:	pull your socks up

I’ve just talked David out of issuing you with a written warning as to your conduct. It was only your recent bereavement that saved you. He questioned your competence for the job and cited a number of instances where he felt you let him down. He is particularly angry that you failed to inform him of a conference call with James Weissmuller this afternoon. Common sense alone should tell you
that anything to do with the world-wide president must always take top priority.

I know that David can be a tricky boss but I don’t think you are helping yourself. You must concentrate more.

It’s not all bad. Normally he skips the written warnings and goes straight to firing, so he must have a soft spot for you. You’ve got a real chance to make amends now. Seize it with both hands.

	[email protected] 1/12/00, 5:55pm (9:55pm local)
to:	[email protected]
cc:
re:	Coke

I cannot tell you how gratifying it is to see Harriet receiving recognition at last. When she joined a couple of years ago, few people rated her but I saw the spark of something a little special. I must say that David had reservations about my protégée’s ability to manage Coke in my unavoidable absence. I am glad I talked him round. Fostering talent is part and parcel of a Head of Client Service’s job, so thanks are not necessary. Inner satisfaction is its own reward.

My very warmest regards and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, jetlag permitting.

Daniel

	[email protected] 1/12/00, 6:09pm
to:	[email protected]
cc:
re:	Coke

Thank you for your e-mail. I hope you don’t mind if I take it as something of a personal endorsement.

As you know, I am a great believer in giving talent its head,
however untried. I took the decision to award Harriet and Pinki the extra responsibility against the advice of some of my colleagues.

I am glad that for once I did not allow consensus to rule and trusted my judgement.

Roll on Sunday. I have taken the liberty of booking us into the Sugar Club for dinner. A certain Ms. Ciccone is a regular on her sojourns in London, so it is New-Yorker friendly!

Best wishes,

David

	[email protected] 1/12/00, 6:14pm (10:14pm local)
to:	[email protected]
cc:
re:	Coke

Jim, your e-mail gave me an undeniable
frisson
of pleasure.

If I may be immodest for a moment, I have always prided myself on my ability to spot talent.

I found Pinki working in a dead-end agency and decided to give her a shot at the big time.

She has more than repaid my faith.

When I had the Coke idea last week I knew there was nobody else I could trust with it.

To the creative person, one’s ideas are one’s babies and it can be hard to let go.

Yet I knew she would seek my counsel at every stage of the campaign’s gestation. While I have had to apply a few gentle nudges to the steering wheel she has never lost sight of the integrity of
my
idea.

I am so thrilled for her that I am no longer the only one to appreciate her flair and strength of purpose.

I look forward to introducing her to you personally when you fly in from
la Pomme Grande.

Fond wishes,

Simon Horne

	[email protected] 1/12/00, 6:20pm (10:20pm local)
to:	[email protected]
cc:
re:	NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES

Your phone is off the hook but we must talk. I am presuming that you have read Jim’s e-mail. I did not become Head of Client Services by not being able to smell a plot. I am in my room awaiting your immediate response.

	Zoë Clarke – 1/12/00, 6:27pm
to:	Lorraine Pallister
cc:
re:	that fucking, fucking bastard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ve spent the last god knows how long sobbing in the loo!!!!!!! Rachel told me that David wants to fire me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ve bent over backwards all week trying to please him and I just don’t know what to do any more! I need a drink!!!!!! Take me to Bar Zero!!!!!!

	[email protected] 1/12/00, 6:33pm (10:33pm local)
to:	[email protected]
cc:
re:	NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES