He sat outside the main office of the newspaper where he worked and looked out the window. There were so many people of so many different types. Men, women, children. One million lives, one million stories. He had worked for the the paper for a few years and was getting restive for a different type of assignment. Just then his boss and mentor came and waved him into his office.
'How's it going, John?" Mr. Fresp offered as he was warmly welcomed into the sparsely decorated, but nonetheless fashionable office of the president and CEO of Fisher Publishing Corp.
"Great. I'm staying busy with all the extra work since we picked up the magazine and the dailies from the surrounding counties. I don't know that I thought I would be as busy as I am with editing and administrative work as I am."

"I know. I remember as a journalism grad thinking that all I wanted to do was to write my great American novel and go to book signings and walk around in my cardigan sweater! It's funny the turns that life sends our way."

"And speaking of life and turns...what's up? As much as I enjoy your company, I know I wasn't called up here in the middle of the day for a chat about philosophy."

"I have an offer to make. I am going to be stepping down in a few years and I'll be looking for a new editor-in-chief. I'd like you to be that person."

"Why me? Why not Alan or Jeannie? They've both been here longer and both are vying for the position."

"They don't have the balance of skill and compassion that I'd like in a new chief. The business has not been doing well for a while and many have become cutthroat because of competition from the internet and other media outlets. And few can really read anymore. The decline of literacy in the US."

"Give me some time to think about it. I've got to get to my desk. Deadlines you know!

He walks out through the newsroom and sees.....