What Underwriter?

 It’s a Tuesday afternoon in a (re)insurance company.

In a small cubicle sits an official staring at his screen without blinking. The screen displays statistics and colorful graphs, including a beautiful bar chart that resembles the skyline of a modern city. A cup of coffee rests on his desk; the aroma suggests freshly roasted Arabica beans. The air conditioning runs at full blast, ensuring he does not perspire while doing the complex job before him.

His glasses reflect the glow of the screen as he continuously scrolls through the data. The official looks as if he is involved in something extremely technical, almost as though Albert Einstein himself were reworking the theory of relativity.

While scribbling something on his notepad, he briefly glances at a person approaching him. The man, dressed in a shiny blue coat, looks as formal as George Clooney. He carries a fashionable black bag bearing the initials “Hermès”.

Mr Hermès quietly approaches the seated official. Lost in deep thought, the official does not acknowledge the presence in front of him.

“Ahem, ahem,” Mr Hermès clears his already clear throat to get his attention.

“Yes, how can I help?” the official says with a grin.

“Well, I am glad to see you. If you recall our conversation, I sent you the requested data. I hope you are ready with the terms.”

The official looks confused. “What terms?” he asks.

“Didn’t I send you the geological report related to the project for which I am seeking terms? I thought you were scrutinizing it right now. Jeez, I tried reading it myself—it was difficult to understand. Also, we have floated this slip across the market. Hopefully we will get some aggressive terms. I hope you have gone through the documents…”

Mr Hermès continues speaking for another four and a half minutes. Eventually he notices that the official seems more interested in the wall clock behind him than in his submission.

“Wait a minute, aren’t you the underwriter?” Mr Hermès asks with a hint of frustration.

“What underwriter? I’m from sales. Oh! I reckon the person you are looking for sits at the back, at the junior desk. Don’t worry, he will sign whatever you bring. He used to sit here, analyzed too much. He got demoted. Now we are analyzing his demotion,” the official chuckles.

“What?” Mr Hermès exclaims.

“Just kidding. You can approach him. Nice guy. If you still find him analyzing, call me. I’ll make him accept,” the official affirms.

“Alright, I’ll check with him. Thanks.”

Saying this, Mr Hermès quietly walks towards the junior desk.

It is still a Tuesday afternoon.