Schontag's Short Stories

By Benita Cunha Schontag

In TANGO AT TWILIGHT, Bart is offered a promotion to vice chairman in order to work with the chairman in strategizing the Bank's expansion plans. He soon learns, however, that relinquishing his power as president to a younger, ambitious CIO and given lesser responsibilities and duties by the chairman that he is slowly being moved to early retirement. Should he fight back or unhappily retire when he is not ready to? It all depends on the unlikely influence of Carla and the pull of the powerful, sensuous Tango.

In THE STRADIVARIUS, Ann is attracted to Johann, one of the world's foremost violinists. In her privileged world of wealth and status she meets and encourages a relationship with him. Johann then finds he is not only attracted to Ann, but her beloved and priceless Stradivarius as well.

In THE MAGIC PLANT, Stan Wickam, a partner of W&D Pharmaceuticals, hires professors Arthur Pond, an anthropologist, and Tom Davenport, a botanist, to take him to Kalimantan, Borneo, so he can meet with Pond's friend, Makuto, the chief of a small tribe of Penans, and persuade him to sell a few of their "magic" (hair-restoring) plants for research. Although the Chief is hospitable at first and shares some of the tribe's mystical practices with Pond, events change when Wickam challenges the reluctant chief, and he, Pond and Davenport have to leave with fear for their lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Benita Cunha Schontag
• Release date: Apr 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310723964

Benita Cunha Schontag

Benita Schontag lives with her husband Peter in the San Francisco Bay Area. She graduated from U. C. Berkeley in 1975; studied writing, which included the course "Method Writing by Mail" at the University of Massachusetts; and started writing short stories after her retirement as a legal secretary. "Schontag's Short Stories, Volume One" is her first book.

Book preview

SCHONTAG’S

Short Stories

—VOLUME ONE—

TANGO AT TWILIGHT

THE STRADIVARIUS

THE MAGIC PLANT

Benita Schontag

Copyright © 2014 Benita Schontag

Smashwords Edition

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the author or publisher.

Cover design by Stewart Williams

CONTENTS

TANGO AT TWILIGHT

THE STRADIVARIUS

THE MAGIC PLANT

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TANGO AT TWILIGHT

Bart Winson picked up his board meeting agenda and left his office, eyes downcast as he passed his secretary. If he looked at her, he would have to smile; and, he was not in the mood.

The board members were talking and didn’t notice Winson when he took his seat. Then, Charles Marlow, the Chairman and CEO of United Banking Services, tapped the conference table with his pen and called the meeting to order, ignoring the gusts of wind rapping the windows. Winson looked through the window in back of Marlow, his thin lips and square jaw firmly set. He scanned the top of the Chicago Tribune Tower and other skyscrapers, oblivious to Marlow’s droning voice as he covered the approval of the minutes. His mind drifted back to their last conversation regarding changes in management. Marlow had told him that he wanted to promote Dan Yeager, the Chief Information Officer, to a top management position. He had been very impressed with Yeager, a team-builder with strong management capabilities. Winson agreed. Then Marlow said, You’ll be retiring in three years, Bart. It would make sense to promote Dan to President now so you can groom him before you leave. I’d promote you to Vice Chairman so you could also work with me in strategizing the Bank’s growth. Winson had been stunned and immediately became suspicious. Marlow didn’t just think of making Yeager President; he always had a game plan. He knew he was being moved aside because Marlow preferred Yeager’s management style to his, so why would he want him to groom Yeager? He didn’t want to give up his presidential powers when the bank was undergoing significant changes; but, it was no use fighting Marlow, the grandson of the Bank’s founder. He either had to accept it or resign.

Then he heard Marlow say, The next item of business addresses the promotion of Bart Winson to Vice Chairman. Do I have a motion to approve his promotion? A motion quickly followed, seconded by the Chief Financial Officer, Arthur Cole, and unanimously affirmed. Marlow smiled at Winson. "It’s now official, Bart. Congratulations!

Winson smiled weakly as the other members gave their congratulations. Thank you for your support during my ten years as President. I look forward to working with Charlie in the overall strategy for the Bank’s future growth. He was glad he wore his tinted glasses.

Marlow quickly moved to the next item. Do I have a motion to approve the promotion of Dan Yeager to President? The board approved his promotion also. Dan, congratulations! The announcements will go out tomorrow, and these changes will take effect on Monday.

Yeager’s boyish face beamed and his teeth glistened as he smiled. Thank you, everyone. I’ve enjoyed my job as CIO, but I’m looking forward to leading our efforts in developing more e- business and expanding our customer base.

Winson looked around the table at the members’ approving smiles and lowered his eyes. Later, when the meeting adjourned, he shook a few hands, making small talk, until he saw an opportunity to leave. The 34-story elevator ride