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miro_o
Imagining a world where trek wasn’t a company who made cop bikes and being known as “the racism factory”
I’m an up and coming gal in their marketing dept who sits on chairs the wrong way round, wears their cap backwards and loves to perch on people’s desks for a quick chat about about the local vegan bakery in the morning, that is before my manager comes in and commands the room. I try to wiggle behind Jody the taller girl and big Ken
“So as we all know the philly bike expo is coming up and since specialised rebranded a 10 year old bike top of the line for the boutique market the ol board is on my back to make an entrance”
The team groans, they know what’s coming, we’ve been here before
“Yes that’s right we will be having to postpone holidays…kevin…kev… you can still have a Friday off to see your new born, we’ll need people in on the weekends too”
Everyone is physically uncomfortable at this point, no more me as big Ken treads on my toe
sorry..
I hear from above
“I’m sure you’re gonna be wondering what my vision is for this bike right? Some shred wagon? Gnarl muncher?? Well I’m thinking something a bit off the wall and on brand..”
People at this point visually disinterested yet their mouths some how held in stasis to support a smile
“We got the trek 720 right? Trek 920…”
A faint oh no is heard from the back
“WHAT WAS THAT”
Oh no this is going to be sweet! I holler back in retort from the corner of my mouth
“Excellent… so I’m proposing the trek 420… get it?? Right!!!… the weed number baby on brand and cool, when Trevor heard this one he could barely contain his excitement, if it wasn’t for his Botox he would be smiling..”
The crowd at this point is a shell, nothing more than empty vessels there to fulfil an order for the child who stood in front of them, happy to destroy their social lives, family lives, and general well being for a single product launch, yet they can’t let it show
“I’m thinking we lit it out with a few MADE IN AMERICA PARTS, maybe one of those titanium dangle bongs I be seeing… some of those Paul components bar ends with the secret compartment… ayyyyy ….AAAAAYYYYYYYYY…”
The crowd reluctantly Ayyys, fearful of their livelihoods
“I’m going to need some more ideas tho, this is a team effort, Simon.. what you say..”
Simon looks uncomfortable and mumbles
maybe we could put some nice vintage components on it, make it look like a modern re…
“AAAYY MIRANDA WHAT YOU SAYING”
Sensing that this was the same as the other meetings Miranda says what He wants to hear
We could put sram axs on it? The new suspension fork and electronic dropper?
“That’s WIKKIDY WIKKIDY WICKED MIRANDA… Dave what you saying about wheels”
Dave has clocked on too and follows Miranda
we have a box of zipps out back their new gravel ones
“Now we’re shredding… sunnyyyy what you saying about finishing kit”
It was routine now, He could have asked anyone and the answer would have been the same
uhhh.. yeah we got some ‘wizard’ new enve we can put on it?
“Hell yeah team! This is what I like to hear, a team plan and a team vision, I’m going to get the pizza and beer delivered and I’ll catch you all around 8pm for the check in”
The team looks relieved as He left, some slump to their desks consoling one another, others just have their head in their hands at the window but all of them are alerted by an email blast
Fishing my phone out my pocket it reads
“Sorry guys head honcho is on me, it’s all gonna be bontrager, all of it, and make it red, also call it the 920s, I know you wanted our vision but sacrifices are part of the team”
A lingering sigh hangs over the room, stifling to all, but comforting in its familiarity.