MONDAY “Mike makes my Mondays,” smiled Christopher, as he made his way across town for his weekly catch-up at Cafe ZB with his best friend Mike. Things had been difficult in his professional life. He worked in the cut-throat world of detergents and deodorants. There was always someone plotting against him within the company. Only recently he had to make a stand, and although he prevailed, he could sense a sour, fractious mood every morning when he went into work. There were certain colleagues who really had it in for him. But Mike was always there for him, and there he was at their favourite table at Cafe ZB, unshaven as was his habit, incognito in his alligator shoes, stonewash jeans, a polar fleece zipped to his neck, and a fedora. “Mate,” Mike murmured. “Mate.” “How are you?” “To be honest, I’m . . .“ “Great. You were going to say, ‘I’m great.’ Because you are, and you need to know that. Do you ever look at yourself in the mirror? Take a good long look, because you’ll like what you see. I see a winner. I see a champ. I see a top dog.” Christopher stood there beaming. “Sit,” said Mike. “Good dog.” TUESDAY Christopher was late for work because the cycle lanes made it difficult to cross the road. The first thing he saw when he finally made it through the front door, his heart pounding, were the plotters in his office exaggeratedly looking at their watches, shaking their heads, and sighing. He was a sensitive man who prided himself on a high level of emotional intelligence but he was unsure what the gesture meant. He texted Mike for his thoughts. “Staring them down for a second time might just be the nail in their coffin,” Mike replied. Christopher replied with a smiling dog emoji. WEDNESDAY Christopher held a meeting with Winston, the veteran head of mergers and coalitions, to discuss freight options for a new range of detergents and deodorants. “Let’s fund another round of r & d into a second harbour bridge crossing,” said Christopher. “It’s a gross, shocking waste of money,” Winston said. “But you signed up to it last time we talked.” “ You’ve already blown $100 million on r&d with nothing to show for it.” Winston stood up and left. Christopher wondered if it was a signal that the meeting was over. He texted Mike for his thoughts. “The big picture should never be interrupted by the trials and tribulations of the small thinker,” he replied. Christopher replied with a Gif of a dog jumping to catch a ball. THURSDAY Christopher travelled to the Hutt Valley, Nelson, and Christchurch to meet with detergent and deodorant retailers. Sales were down and he asked which factor was most responsible. The majority, 31%, selected international events such as Trump’s tariffs and the war on Iran, but 29% selected Christopher’s handling of the situation. He texted Mike for his thoughts, but didn’t hear back. FRIDAY Christopher waited by the phone. He knew better than to disturb Mike. He knew friendship was bound by a contract of who held the power. He looked forward to their weekly catch-up at Cafe ZB on Monday. He sighed, and rolled over.
