A Doll for Ashley
an excerpt

"Dahl, this work is unacceptable." Carl Simmons slammed the prospectus on his desk as Lance Dahl sat watching in amazement. "How can you expect to achieve here if you're too afraid to go for the jugular?" Mr. Simmons shook his head and turned to look out the office window. "We've lost this account, Dahl. You know we spoke about this already."

"But Mr. Simmons, I really feel..."

"Dahl, Lance, you know I personally really like you and that's why you were hired. My partners told me to not take a chance on you because you were too soft spoken, you didn't push yourself enough." Mr. Simmons shook his head putting his fingers to his lips when Lance tried to speak. "Is there trouble at home, Lance? Is that what this all is? Maybe I could buy some time for you that way if only there was a reason for your action or I should say inaction."

"Mr. Simmons, I did what I was told on this one but the client just didn't like my approach."

Mr. Simmons looked at Lance Dahl. If nothing else Lance was always an impeccable dresser sitting there in a dark suit but the shiny knees were evident and Simmons noticed the elbows on the jacket were threadbare as well.

"Why didn't you just go with the client to dinner? What was the big deal? Sounds like Jones didn't have that problem did he?"

Lance hung his head and cleared his throat. "If being a Mormon is wrong here then..."

"We don't discriminate here at Simmons, Barnes and McCauley, Dahl. What I needed you to do with this client was to schmooze him not refuse to go to dinner because is was in a bar." Simmons grabbed Dahl's prospectus once again. "You've got some good ideas here but..."

Lance's cell rang. He felt his face burn as he looked at the boss.