707. After the Meeting

"Now that we have decided to accept you as a sub-contractor of our project, you will be interacting with the senior executives of our firm, while executing the contract. So, I will introduce them to you" Senthilkumar, the Managing Director of the firm told Marudhachalam.

He then called the peon and asked him to bring the executives specified by him.

Presently, five senior executives of Senthilkumar's firm entered the room and took their seats. 

Senthilkumar introduced them to Marudhachalam, by giving their names and designations.

He then turned to his executives and said, "This is Mr. Marudhachalam, Managing Director of Dhanam Industries. The other gentleman is his General Manager...What was the name you said?..Yes. Dhandapani. Dhanam Industries is going to be a sub-contractor for our project. The two of them will be interacting with you, during the implementation of the project. That is why I thought I should introduce you to them." 

They discussed for a while about the details of the project. After that, Marudhachalam and Dhandapani took leave of Senthilkumar and others. 

While driving back to their office, Marudhachalam was in deep thought. After some time, he turned to Dhandapani and said, "Mr. Dhandapani! I think we will rather not take up this contract!"

"Why, sir? This is a profitable contract. We got this contract, amid tough competition from several other firms, including some big firms. Mr. Senthilkumar said that he would issue us the work order next week. Should we withdraw from the project at this stage?"

"Fortunately, they have not yet issued the work order. They have only orally informed us that they have decided to give us the contract. After reaching our office, we can send them an email that we won't be able to take up the contract."

"That can be done, sir. But, I don't understand why you don't want to take up this contract? Did Mr. Senthilkumar or any of the executives say something that you didn't like. Did I miss something?" asked Dhandapani, perplexed. 

"They spoke to us well, alright. But, Senthilkumar doesn't respect his executives. The executives also harbour a feeling of resentment towards Senthilkumar. The disharmony between the Managing Director and the senior executives may create some problems for us, when we will be executing the contract. The executives won't be able to take any decision, make any commitment or assume responsibility for anything. Senthilkumar won't allow them to take decisions, or use their discretion either. We will be caught in the crossfire" said Marudhachalam.

"How did you gauge this, sir? I didn't get any such impression from what they had said during the meeting."

"We might not have been able to infer anything from the words spoken by them. The impression I gained was based on their face expressions. Words can't reveal a person's agreement or resentment as much as his face reveals" said Marudhachalam, laughing.

"I am scared, sir. If I ever consider the idea of looking for some other job, you may find out my thinking, by looking at my face!" said Dhandapani. 

"I have been looking at your face for the past several years. Can I not find out what is in your mind? In fact, I have found it out already" said Marudhachalam, looking at Dhandapani's face.

"What do you mean, sir? I have no such ideas" said Dhandapani, somewhat shocked.

"Nevertheless, I have read what is in your mind. You won't leave me, even if I push you out!" said Marudhachalam, touching Dhandapani's shoulder affectionately.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 71
Divining the Mind

Verse 707 (in Tamil):
mugaththin mudhuk kuRaindhadhu uNdO uvappinum
kAyinum thAn mundhuRum.

Meaning:

Nothing is more revealing than the face. It beats the mind in revealing whether the mind is pleased or vexed.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'santhippukkup piRagu' by the same author.) 

Verse 706
Verse 704