Companies as Characters - Save the Economy

Air Canada sat in the Prime Minister's office, legs crossed and both hands cupping her knee. It was as much a posture of comfort as it was a way to keep his feet from bouncing in nervousness. The office was silent except for the clicking of the old style clock on the PM's desk, but thick with tension. Air practiced holding his breath for as long as he could just to pass the time.

The first sign of the other guy's arrival was the yelling and commotion coming from down the hall. The sounds got closer, gaining thumps and bumps as they neared, when suddenly Petro-Canada burst through the double doors of the office, the PM's executive assistant trailing closely.

"You can't just- I'm sorry Madame, I told him he can't just barge in here- "

"It's OK Percy, I'm expecting him."

"Yeah, y'see Purse, I'm expected."

Petro was decked out in a silk shirt and dark brown leather jacket, an Italian scarf draped loosely around his neck. He pulled an apple from his pocket and chomped on it loudly in the assistants face. Petro turned towards the PM and saw Air sitting there.

"Oh, it's you."

"Sit down Petro," the PM barked. "You're late enough as it is."

"Eh, sorry sir, ma'am, you know how it is, jet-setting around the world, meeting and greeting, selling oil, buying oil," he said with a big smile.

"Well, you certainly have grown awfully big for you britches since you started working for Suncor," Air stated, the annoyance in her voice thinly disguised behind a veil of condescension. 

"Aw c'mon sugar, it's not like you've exactly gotten anywhere sticking with Big Brother if you know what I'm saying."

"I've done well enough and-"

"That's enough you two!" The PM had risen to her feet and was staring the both of them down. "I didn't call you in here so you two could bicker. Petro, sit down."

Petro slumped into the chair next to Air, then bumped it away from Air centimetre by centimetre.

The PM sighed, than sat back down, smoothing her blouse, a gesture she performed more out of habit than necessity since she was always expertly pressed and neat. "I'm sure both of you have been following the media, and are aware that Canada has entered a bit of a recession."

Air nodded enthusiastically, waiting on every word that came from the PM's mouth. Petro just rolled his eyes. 

"Well, the reality is much worse than that. We've been in a recession for some time and now we're about to default on some of our loans. If that happens, China is going to come in and have to possess our country. 

Even petro was visibly stunned, but Air burst into tears. 

"Oh madame! This is awful how could this have happened I had no idea what can I-"

"Quiet Air Canada, I'm getting to it."

Air's mouth snapped shut, but the tears continued.

"Since this is an election year, I can't very well have this news getting out, and the best way to fix this problem is to solve it. So I'm assigning both of you to get out there and stimulate the economy!"

"Oh yes of course right away madame I can do it whatever you need I'll do my best and I won't let you down you'll see-"

But Petro laughed with great barks of noise, and rose to go.

"I'd love to help you ma'am, but I don't work this beat anymore, you know, so I'm just going to go back-"

"Petro sit down!"

Petro sank back into his seat despite himself. 

"I've already talked to Suncor. She's given you back to me until this crisis is over."

"What?! She never told me nothin'!"

"I asked her not to, so I could tell you myself."

"Why that timing no good b-"

"Petro Canada that is enough!"

Petro sank even lower into his chair.

"Look, I know you two have had your … problems, in the past, but I need you two to work together. You each bring your own sets of talents and skills to the table, and goodness knows you both could use some work stimulating the economy in your own sectors-" both Air and Petro coughed and looked at each other sheepishly at that, "but I need you to call in any debts, or favours, or whatever to get this done. This beyond just my re-election – this is about the future of our nation, as a nation."

The tension in the room had subsided significantly, and had been replaced with a sort of resigned determination. Both Air and Petro owed a lot to the PM, and they couldn't turn their backs on the nation, not in a time of need like this.

Air Canada looked at Petro-Canada, nodded, then said to the PM, "You can count on us."