The Fine Print

Ralph has cancer? My eyes become misty from tears I try to hold back. I fail and end up sniffling loudly. The way Rowan looks at me has me wondering if he’s silently offering his apology. 

The next slide is a picture of Brady smiling with an arm wrapped around Ralph’s shoulder. It looks like Ralph is fixing a cart from Dreamland’s first ride. “Ralph is one of our oldest employees at The Kane Company, and our—my—selfish business practices are limiting him from receiving proper cancer treatment.” He clicks and the next slide appears, this time with hundreds of photos. “There are hundreds of similar stories, from people struggling to work two jobs to employees being unable to afford appropriate health care procedures because of limited finances. No person should have to choose between supporting their family or putting their medical needs first.” 

He lets out a deep breath. “As the Director of Dreamland, I want to protect people like Ralph. Because in the end, our employees are our biggest strength. Without them, there would be no Dreamland worthy of the success we have accrued. Therefore, I am suggesting the minimum wage is raised to meet standards consistent with what we expect from our employees.” 

“And what hourly wage do you suggest?” Seth Kane speaks up. 

Is this part of the procedure? Can we all yell out random questions whenever we feel like it? 

“A fifty percent raise at the very least.” 

“That is an extreme increase, given the fact that you voted against the previous wage change.” 

The two board members I don’t know both look at each other. My hands start to tremble, wondering what the heck is going to happen next. 

Martha pats my knee and gives me a reassuring smile. 

Wait. Does she know about Rowan’s presentation? Because if Rowan didn’t know Martha was part of the board, maybe he did a mock presentation in front of her. 

Rowan doesn’t seem the least bit flustered by his father’s questions. He changes to the next slide. “Based on research conducted, higher wages are associated with increased profitability. Top corporations have already made this pledge based on data-driven facts. If we increase wages, we boost efficiency, thus enhancing the overall Dreamland experience for our guests.” 

His father leans forward. “Why would we need to work on employee satisfaction if we are performing beyond expected each quarter?”

Rowan’s next slide includes a breakdown of some kind of exit survey from guests. “When I surveyed over one million guests during my time here, over seventy-two percent of them said Dreamland employees played a key role in their overall experience. On a different question where they were asked what differentiated the Dreamland experience from competing theme parks, sixty-eight percent of guests chose the cast member experience. That means regardless of what rides we have, the employees are the ones who make the difference.” The slide changes to an employee satisfaction survey. 

I remember filling it out myself but I didn’t realize it was for Rowan’s presentation. I’m paralyzed in my chair as I stare at the bar graphs and numbers, trying to make sense of everything I’m seeing. 

“On the flip side, over fifty percent of our employees said they would seek a job elsewhere in the next five years if Dreamland wages remained the same. Employee’s reasons for quitting included an interest in saving up for retirement, a need for affording childcare, a desire to save for their children’s college funds, and an interest in receiving better benefits, including healthcare.”

Rowan’s father tap tap taps again. Either he’s a pro at morse code or he’s silently showing his approval. I mean, how can he not? I’m trying my best not to stare at Rowan because I didn’t even know he was working on all this. It proves that he listened to me, both as Scott and Rowan. That he took everything I had to say about the employees and applied it to his presentation. 

My entire body vibrates from excitement. 

“By not increasing our wages nor improving our company benefits, we are single-handedly giving up our best asset. Our employees are the hidden reason why we stand apart from our competitors, and it’s time we treated them as such. Therefore, I stand by my choice to increase wages and reinstate benefits to preserve the future of Dreamland.”

His father blinks. 

Martha sits up with a smile. “In the past, you’ve mentioned only being interested in temporarily serving as the Director. What happens if we approve these plans and you change your mind again in a year, given the fact that you were the one to introduce cut wages and benefits?” 

Damn, Martha. Sheath those claws. My eyes bounce from her to Rowan. I expect a

“Another good question. The employees of Dreamland will be my utmost priority, given the fact that I plan on remaining here, serving as the Director for as long as they’ll have me.” 

I almost fall out of my chair. What the fuck is going on here? Rowan’s gaze burns into my skin, drawing my eyes back to his. 

The man next to Rowan’s father speaks up. “Are you no longer interested in becoming the CFO?” 

“No.” 

The same gentleman turns back to his companion and begins whispering. 

Rowan’s father crosses his hands together. “Why should I vote yes and approve your plans when I can vote no and take your twenty-five billion dollars?” 

“Twenty-five billion dollars?” I croak. 

I think I’m going to be sick. 

Martha looks over at me with a shy smile. “Here. Have some water.” 

Seth Kane’s eyes snap from his son to me. He stares me down in the same kind of way that makes me feel like I’m being picked apart.  

I gulp down half the glass in one go. Water sloshes out of the rim, splashing all over the table. 

“The main reason I am interested in receiving my shares is because I want to retain enough power to make the best choices for my employees. Dreamland makes up twenty percent of our entire company’s revenue. I can be the kind of Director who works to push us to new limits while protecting our employees. I want to be the one. As I said earlier, I have created countless plans with the Creators that include expanding Dreamland beyond our one park.” He looks around the room at each person. “I have the slides ready to present if you need further evidence to support your decision to approve of my change. While I am interested in renovating the park beyond anything Dreamland has seen before, my first priority is the employees.” 

WHAT?! Is this how board meetings usually go? I almost regret making fun of them when I first met Rowan because this is intense. 

Rowan’s father raises his hand. “That won’t sway my decision.” His voice is flat. 

My elation dies, replaced by acid crawling up my throat. Rowan’s face remains neutral but the tiny vein above his right eye becomes more prominent. 

Would his own father really vote no? After all of that? I know he’s heartless and all but even he has to be somewhat impressed by his son. 

If it wasn’t uncool, I would stand up and give a standing ovation. 

The two men shake their heads. 

Martha lifts her wrinkled hand. “I would like some clarification on something.” 

The corner of Rowan’s lip lifts. “Yes?” 

“I am interested in hearing about your plans for employees with disabilities.” 

For the first time during the entire presentation, Rowan’s cool exterior cracks. He blinks at Martha, who sports a mischievous smile.