“From the moment we stepped onto that tarmac, the reception was telling,” Alicia said.
She described the scene with precise detail.
“Other executives were being greeted warmly. We received stares and whispers.”
Sarah leaned forward.
“Can you be more specific about these whispers?”
“I heard comments about how some people don’t belong on this side of the runway. There were jokes about me getting lost, suggestions that I must be someone’s assistant.”
Alicia’s tone remained even, but her words carried weight.
“How did your actual assistant react?”
“Sasha was upset, naturally. But we’ve both faced similar situations before.”
“We stayed focused on the business at hand.”
Sarah checked her notes.
“The deal fell apart over an aircraft inspection.”
“That’s what they’d like people to believe,” Alicia said.
“The reality is they presented us with a dirty, outdated plane for our demonstration flight. When I questioned this, they said it was more my style.”
“And this was different from what was promised in the contract?”
“Substantially different. The contract specified a new G650 for the demonstration.”
“Instead, they offered an old jet that hadn’t been properly maintained, parked far from their pristine fleet.”
“What went through your mind at that moment?”
Alicia’s response was measured.
“I thought about every person who’s ever been told to accept less than what they’ve earned. About every qualified candidate who’s been shown to the back door instead of the front office.”
The studio felt charged with tension as she continued.
“So I made a decision. I called my legal team and canceled the deal right there on the tarmac.”
“That’s a $770 million decision,” Sarah noted. “Some might call it rash.”
“Some might,” Alicia agreed. “But I would argue it’s the most rational decision possible.”
“When someone shows you who they are, believe them. Their actions demonstrated clearly how they would treat our partnership.”
Sarah shifted topics.
“There are rumors circulating about your emotional state during this encounter.”
“Yes, I’ve seen those.”
A hint of amusement touched Alicia’s voice.
“Apparently, maintaining one’s dignity in the face of discrimination now qualifies as unstable behavior.”
“You seem very calm about these attacks.”
“Because they’re predictable, Sarah. When you can’t defend your actions, you attack the character of the person exposing them.”