“I leased a new car,” Leonard said. “We’re buying a pool table for the kids,” Cliff said. “We’re converting an abandoned building into a home,” Julie said. “I’m eating out,” Whitley said. “When?” Leonard asked. “For the rest of my natural life.” Core was a company of millionaires. All of the senior staff, the best salespeople, the top vice presidents and programmers in every division of the company, all had stock, stock options and a very high-paying bonus program that made some three hundred of them millionaires. Millionaires on paper, that is. Or, more exactly, millionaires in waiting. Waiting for the chance to cash in their accumulating bonuses and stock options. “My credit is pressed, though,” Whitley said. “My borrowing is high,” Cliff said. “Please,” Julie said, smiling knowingly at the rest of them. “I’m so overextended I can’t bear to open my mail.” And the laugh they shared—a nervously embarrassed, almost reflexive release—was possible only because of the stock and bonuses awaiting them.
