hehe.he
12.12.03, 11:24
This is a story about a Mr Frazer, a Mr Holliday, and the company they both
worked for, the Hoverton Engineering Company.
They had both joined the company on the same day, thirty years ago. Frazer,
who had started as a Junior Clerk, was now Chairman of the Company.
Holliday, who had begun as nightwatchman, still reported for duty as
nightwatchman six days a week.
Everyone in the Company knew him and liked him. Each day, as they hurried
home, they met him on his way to the factory to
start work.
Few people knew Frazer, for he was a man who kept himself to himself. He had
the reputation of being a good employer, but a hard businessman.
The Company had branches all over Europe - in Paris, in Madrid, in Belgrade
and in Hamburg - and it was Frazer's custom to attend the opening of any new
branch in person. Last year, Hoverton opened a new factory in Genoa. and
Frazer announced that he would be flying to North Italy for the opening.
Three days before he was due to leave, his secretary. told him that Holliday
was waiting outside in her office, and that he insisted on speaking to the
chairman. This was rather unusual, but because the nightwatchman had been in
the firm's employ so long, Frazer: told her to show him in.
The nightwatchman was clearly embarrassed, so Frazer asked him to sit down,
and they talked about the old times for a few
minutes. Finally, he asked him the reason for his visit.
Holliday's story was simple and clear. For two nights running he had had a
dream in which he had seen Frazer boarding an airplane, watched it take off
and disappear into the distance. He had also seen the plane crash in flames.
He couldn't tell where the accident had occurred, but he knew that just
before it plunged to the ground, the plane had been flying over high
mountains. He begged Frazer not to take the plane to Genoa.
Frazer would not have admitted it to anyone, but he was a superstitious man.
He didn't admit it; yet the nightwatchman's story worried him al] that day.
Finally, he asked his secretary to cancel his reservation, and to book him
onto the Dover-Genoa overnight express train. It was supposed to be
extremely fast and comfortable.
His secretary booked the tickets. Frazer took the night train,arrived to
Genoa opened the factory, and returned to his hotel.
While waiting for his guests for dinner, he read in the newspaper that the
plane he had once planned to take had crashed in the Alps. There were no
survivors.
The news of the disaster didn't stop him flying back to London. Immediately
he arrived in his office. He sent for Holliday. Holliday arrived. Frazer
asked him to sit down offered him a cigarette, took out his cheque book, and
made him out a cheque for 2000 pounds. That was for saving his life.
He also dismissed him, immediately.
The Question is: Why?
Don't read the answers before
find out the answer by youself
