Yi. Please call my direct line if there’s any change…I’ll have an answer late next week…Monday then.” I ended the call with our head of procurements in China and buzzed Brad, but his EA answered. “Bradley Morgan’s office.” “This is J.D. Is he not in yet today?” I was surprised Brad didn’t answer. When he wasn’t in his office, he usually had calls forwarded to his cell. “Mr. Morgan is on vacation, sir.” Ms. Barkley was old school. We could never get her to use our first names. She sounded embarrassed to be telling me something I should know. “He’ll be back in three weeks.” “Thanks, Ms. Barkley.” I’d forgotten about the Barton orientation. I called Brad’s cell. “So the sleeper awakens,” he answered. “Nice to see you’re in the office today.” “‘The sleeper awakens’ is from Dune,” I said, “not Dragonriders of Pern.” “Yeah, well,” he said. “Where were you yesterday? Brooding?” “I told you I’m not broody. I’m stoic.”
