Regality incarnate, impressive figure sits at the head of their company's table with countenance that bears striking resemblance to the kings of old. Large fingers adorned in gilded rings remained folded, Hazel gaze holding laser intense focus upon the PowerPoint display currently being pitched to the board. The varying graphs, rows of numbers, and profit projections may have been utter gibberish in the eyes of most... but to Tiranus, these mathematical configurations were nearly second nature by now. Everything looked good... except...
"Sooo; what's with our profit margins? The numbers between cost of production and net gain seem... skewed. Putting it mildly, anyway."
The voice, thick and rich with the patois of a man who grew up around two spoken tongues rumbles from his chest in serious inquiry.
"Sir? We've ran calculations several times, this is the highest we can charge for our product and still maintain decent public relat-"
Bejeweled hand waves in interrupting dismissal. They weren't seeing the bigger picture here. Maybe putting it into perspective would help.
"You're missing the point, Malcolm. Think in the opposite direction of profit raising. These are fully functional, completely independent, artificial organs; the chance of bodily rejection in early test subjects nearly nonexistent. This invention is not a quality of life improvement, people. We have the potential to save lives here, and I will not see it reserved exclusively for the financially elite!"
Despite being the youngest member that currently sat with all of the fat cats, he was confident; bold and forward. It was the only way they'd take him seriously, after all. Intense gaze slowly travels from one end of the table to the other; establishing personal eye contact with each and every one of them.
"Let us discuss dropping the price. Significantly."
His father was there of course, still technically the official head of Sanyal Consolidated... on paper at least. The paternal figure had great trust in his son's judgement, however even his eyes narrowed suspiciously at bold declaration.
"By how much?" The question bestowed in mien of true neutrality, neither challenging nor encouraging son's audacious stroke.
Though credit was due here, since Ty was forthcoming and direct in his stance; just as he'd been taught to be since childhood. Beating around the bush leads to a ******** of opposing expectations. Nay, not when cutting to the quick solved most debates one way or another.
"A thirty percent cut would be ideal." Silence.
Though most everybody in the room held faces of darker tones; they all paled by a shade of two in this instance. The first to speak up was an older woman. One about forty-five years old or so. Tiranus's... second, no third cousin. Shrill voice begins in it's rant cutting holes in philanthropic ideal, delving into numbers that essentially narrowed down to incessant worrying over everybody's personal pockets in the end. Valid points were made, others chimed in indicating favor towards one side of the argument or it's opposite; and through it all his father remains silent, unreadable. Amber novas subtly search for any of the stone faced man's occasional tells, but can find none.
Alright... here we go. Standing and slamming balled fist upon the table, it was a certain way to silence scattered conversations. Once again, the floor was for sole voice; spotlight trained upon that same figure.
"You guys realize what's going on right? We're discussing the price of innocent lives right now. That's exactly what we're doing. Can you sleep at night, knowing somebody can't afford to save their child's life... because you want more money in your savings account? I know I couldn't."
Well timed pause allows question to sink in, though it isn't long before he carries on. "I get that we've all got families to take care of. But let's not act like we don't already have the means to do that and then some. Perhaps a thirty percent cut at it's launch is a bit rash... but I can't settle for anything less than twenty-three percent; and neither should any of you. Dad, what if a different company had come out with this sort of technology say... when Silvia was still with us? Wouldn't you have wanted the option of saving her to be available for an affordable cost?"
There it was. A subtle twitch at the corner of the older man's lips. It was nearly imperceptible, but Ty knew he'd struck a c***k in his father's armor. One he might pay for later, but might prove helpful for the time being. Silvia was Tiranus's mother after all. She'd had two kidney transplants; both of which her body had completely rejected. Not long after she had passed on. It might have been a slightly underhanded tactic, but it was the most effective strategem devised within heat of the moment. Suffocating silence ensues, before the elder finally speaks with steeled finality.
"We will drop the cost accordingly. Though you and I will have words after this meeting; to discuss numbers and such."
s**t.
It was a ruse to be certain, for his father was never one to berate anybody in public. He didn't believe in public humility; particularly when raising children. Chastising was always better done in private; even on the occasion that it's done to a grown a** man.
As if on queue, smart watch vibrates with new notifications; a short message attached to each upon their opening.
"Excuse me. I'll be but a moment."
Swift strides sail directly into the hall just beyond sky high meeting room. Pressing a button upon wrist mounted gadget's side, it is poised near lips that form their response.
"Sure thing. Just finishing up a meeting then heading home." The first message is sent, and Ty nearly walks back into the room full of ruffled feathers before pausing to compose a second. "Hope your day is going well. See ya soon love." There, that was better.
Vented sigh as thoughts are collected, filed away and focus honed. Tie is slightly refastened, tailored créme colored lapels adjusted before those double doors swing open to admit him once more. Time to get the rest of this over with.
