Then he pushed the cart toward the service door.
Nobody stopped Craig.
Nobody apologized to Benjamin.
Nobody asked if he was okay.
But someone had seen everything.
A young woman standing near the ballroom entrance.
Her name was Olivia Grant.
She worked in the company's legal department.
She had noticed something strange.
Benjamin hadn't reacted like a frightened employee.
He had reacted like a man who had seen this kind of behavior before.
As Benjamin disappeared behind the service door, Olivia looked at the photograph on the wall.
Then she looked back toward the hallway.
She suddenly felt that she had seen the old man somewhere before.
She just couldn't remember where.
Five minutes later, the elevator doors opened.
Six executives stepped out.
They were not wearing tuxedos.
They were wearing dark business suits.
And every one of them walked directly toward the service corridor.
Craig looked confused.
“Who are they?”
Tiffany's smile disappeared.
The six executives stopped beside the ballroom entrance.
The oldest man among them looked around.
Then he asked:
“Where is Benjamin Anderson?”
Craig laughed nervously.
“Why?”
The executive looked directly at him.
“Because the CEO is waiting for him.”
Craig's face changed.
“The CEO?”
“Yes.”
The man paused.
“And so is the board.”
Craig couldn't move.
The music had stopped.
The ballroom was silent.
The six executives stood in the doorway.
Olivia Grant recognized every one of them.
They were among the most powerful people in the company.
One was the chief financial officer.
Another was the chief legal officer.
Another was the chief operating officer.
The others were senior members of the executive committee.
They didn't come to the fortieth floor for ordinary employees.
Craig swallowed.
“Who exactly are you looking for?”
The CFO answered:
“Benjamin Anderson.”
Craig laughed nervously.
“The janitor?”
The executive's expression hardened.
“Yes.”
Craig looked at Tiffany.
She looked equally confused.
“But why?”
The CFO didn't answer.
He simply turned toward the service corridor.
“Take us to him.”
Benjamin was standing beside his cart.
He had cleaned the salmon from his uniform as best he could.
He was replacing a trash bag when the executives approached.
He looked up.
“Good evening.”
The six men stopped.
The CFO smiled.
“Mr. Anderson.”
Benjamin nodded.
“Richard.”
They shook hands.
Craig stared.
“You know him?”
Richard looked at Craig.
“Yes.”
Craig looked at Benjamin.
“How?”
Benjamin said nothing.
The chief legal officer stepped forward.
“Mr. Anderson, the CEO is ready.”
Benjamin nodded.
“Thank you.”
Craig finally found his voice.
“Wait.”
Everyone turned.
Craig pointed toward Benjamin.
“You're saying the CEO wants to see him?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
The legal officer looked at him.
“That is not your concern.”
Craig laughed.
“This is ridiculous.”
Benjamin quietly closed the trash bag.
Then he looked at Craig.
“It's all right.”
Craig frowned.
Benjamin turned toward the executives.
“Give me five minutes.”
Richard nodded.
“We'll wait.”
Benjamin pushed his cart toward the service elevator.
Craig watched him disappear.
Then he looked at Tiffany.
“What is happening?”
She whispered:
“I don't know.”
Five minutes later, Benjamin returned.
He had changed his shirt.
His gray uniform was gone.
He now wore a dark navy suit.
His silver beard was still neatly trimmed.
But his entire posture seemed different.
He no longer looked like a janitor.
He looked like a man who belonged in a boardroom.
Richard opened the elevator.
“After you.”
Benjamin stepped inside.
Six executives followed.