The Mayor Is Coming!
No sooner had they entered the meeting room than they noticed the excitement on the face of the head. It was a routine weekly meeting and all attendants were
looking indifferent and expressionless as usual – even though they realized the presence of their senior, the serious-looking department chief from the bureau
. The head, however, looking unusually blushed, couldn’t seem to wait for another minute to announce to his people the biggest news in the year:
“Listen up, fellas! The mayor is coming!”
Now it was, indeed, shocking, and exciting -- for they couldn’t recall how long it had actually been since they had the honor of the presence of the top official in town. “What a noble mayor! He’s even going down to our level to meet
us and speak to us! He’s not afraid to risk demeaning himself like others!”
said the accountant, breathing heavily. “And sure he is!” said the head, endeavoring to look calm, “it is our greatest event of the year, and we’d sure make the best use of it.” Nobody disagreed on the proposal. Everybody looked as
if they were stung by the news. The section chief of the Business Department then, still looking as if he couldn’t believe what was happening, gave a big talk
on how the company had been suffering from the short budget. “What does that
mean, people, that means our mayor cares about us and knows about our hardship!”
Tapping tea leaves off his clothes, he continued his announcement, “we must give it the top priority and get prepared for the honor!”
The unapproachable-looking VIP from the bureau sure looked pleased with the wide consensus among his inferiors, and graciously gave his instructions. The town government was informed and was already well prepared; the surroundings of the
company, within a radius of ten miles, must be cleaned up; stay aware of any potential unfavorable events; security measures were the most important; do not skimp on banquet preparations; get uniformed on that day, etc. It was an amazement that the pot belly was actually such an expert in reception etiquette.
The sleeves were rolled up and so were people’s socks. People vowed and swore to ensure a most hospitable and most sincere and most welcoming reception. And everybody couldn’t seem to be happier about their returning enthusiasm about
life.
The inspiring meeting lasted for nearly an hour until a sudden harsh-sounding
cellphone ring rang. Everybody stared admiringly at the bigwig on the stage.
The most important man slowly stood up and his face turned pale while answering
the phone for a while.
Turning around to face the meeting, and his voice still amazingly contagious,
the present top official signaled the most depressing knell from hell:
“Forget about it everyone…the mayor’s schedule has changed and he’s not coming….”
Panpanpan.