My name is Luiz

meu nome é Luiz

“Five minutes after eight and I’m not at my desk yet,” Sal worried as he kept pushing the elevator button, trying to make the door close faster. Suddenly, as the door finally started to close, an unexpected hand reached in and pulled it back to the starting point. Sal was not happy.

Universal Systems, a relatively small computer simulation company, paid their employees well, very well… There were no hourly paid employees; each technician was paid a salary based on their negotiated signed contract. Those represented by agents always fared better than those who weren’t. Sal, an intellectual, kind-hearted Brazilian, was of the latter. Sal’s given name was Luiz Henrique Santos; however, his colleagues thought it was a bit much, so they decided to reduce it to a syllable associated with his native country, Salvador da Bahia. Luiz accepted his American nickname, but his parents …not so much.

His parents, both educated, were determined to have their children excel far beyond their own accomplishments. Knowing the high cost of education, they started saving and planning almost immediately after their wedding. Unfortunately, as fate would have it, Luiz would be their only child; this meant the college fund put aside for at least two children could be generously used on just the one.
Brazil’s public colleges, known as federal universities, offer tuition-free education to admitted students. However, the students who are accepted into free universities are predominantly middle-class or wealthy students, in essence the students who can already afford to pay for college.

The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, a.k.a University of Brazil was the school of choice for both Luiz and his parents. The entrance exams were very competitive, but not for a struggle for the young astute Brazilian. Luiz was an exceptional student who excelled in every class he took; so, after graduation, his invitation for an internship in the United States, was not a surprise to anyone. Luiz was exceptionally smart, but often struggled with the pronunciation of certain English words. This would be a minor setback.

                                                          Universal Systems, Inc.

Every morning began with some degree of anxiety. The scenarios varied but the tension was always the same. Smiles were scarce, and greetings were either frigid or unmentionable. On Sal’s second day of employment, a colleague mistook him for a maintenance worker and asked him to adjust the temperature in his office. Sal simply smiled and said “I wish I had time to help you sir, but I’m busy trying to amend the presentation for Ramp associates. The man’s face turned beet red, as he tried to collect himself. “Ramp Associates?” … he asked with a lump in his throat. …” That’s my account!”

…And so, it began. Within weeks a subtle flow of indifference erupted into a blatant storm of prejudice. Sal did not allow himself to become bitter; he had an agenda far removed from the practices of Universal Systems, Inc. The isolation that was forced, helped him to stay focused on his mission. Although he was segregated from the population, the population would not segregate themselves from him.
Michael O’Brien, a pompous little ginger-haired man with an inferiority complex, depended on Sal more than any other staff member in the company. Not only did he take credit for Sal’s hard work, he also sabotaged any effort Sal made to advance himself. The cheap shots he constantly took at Sal’s expense always came with a pinch of racism, served with a humiliating sense of humor.
At least two or three times a week, a situation would arise and a dramatic entrance into Sal’s office would occur. Sal was usually amused by these exaggerated visits; however, on this particular day he was anything but amused. He was at a loss.

“Sal! Scott Raymond from BicTel has finally agreed to a meeting. He asked me to bring a technician along to demonstrate the software. Are you up for it?”
It took a moment for Sal to comprehend the question. “Did he just ask me to demo at a billion-dollar company?” Sal shook off the initial shock, and quickly realized the significance of his presence: BicTel International’s home office was in South America.

BicTel International, a private global software company who had recently gone public, was now making a loud noise on Wall Street. The late blooming company sprung up out of nowhere in 2000 and quickly grew into, not only a lucrative, but a very prestigious company. A company most technicians, especially Michael O’Brien, would give their eye-tooth to be part of. For years, Michael wanted to get his foot in the door of global company like BicTel. However, he was committed to a five-year contract that would not be satisfied for another two years.

“This is the one Sal. This is the company I’ve been dreaming about. I’d like to turn some of those euros into good-old American dollars.” Michael said gloating with the prospect of possibility.
“Euros?” Sal laughed, and shook his head at the audacity. “Michael, no euros.” He simply said. If Michael had done his research he would have known, in Brazil their currency is called the real.

The subsidiary for BicTel was in Cambridge, Massachusetts; situated directly north of Boston, across from the Charles River. Michael had always been infatuated with the Bay State or anything affiliated with Harvard University. His lifelong dreams had always included attending Harvard and being the CEO of some prestigious company; now, as he entered the auxiliary of a powerful company the hope for at least one of his dreams seemed possible. Michael sat through the meeting agreeing with everything. He sucked-up to all the significant players and made claims that could be challenged by any technician with half a brain. Sal sat patiently waiting for the end of, what he considered to be, a ridiculous sale pitch.

Finally, … “I’d like to introduce one of our technicians, Sal Santos. Sal will be demonstrating our “Universal One” software product this morning.”

Sal was furious with the butchering of his name but somehow, he blamed himself for allowing the massacre in the first place. “My name is Luiz” he said under his breath. And then suddenly, he felt a surge of dignity. He felt like himself again.

“Bom dia, meu nome é Luiz Henrique Santos.” Translation: Good morning, my name is Luiz Henrique Santos. Luiz felt proud speaking in his native language. He felt like the man he was, and apparently someone among his peers took notice.

It took months of negotiating before BicTel agreed to sign a contract with Universal Systems. Two of those months were spent doing damage control caused by an overzealous Michael O’Brien.  Luiz, no longer referred to as Sal, walked away triumphally with his dignity in tow and a high-ranking position at BicTel International.

                                                                 The interview

“Five minutes before eight and I’m not there yet,” Michael panic as he rushed through the pedestrian traffic of Harvard Square. It had been five years since his last visit to BicTel International, three years since his dismissal from Universal Systems and two months since his last unemployment check.

“Good morning, Mr. O’Brien. …Please sign-in, take a seat and someone will be with you momentarily.” The receptionist said in a rushed voice.

Michael was ten minutes late for his interview, and by the tone of the receptionist, it was obvious. He hurried to sit down as if that would make up for his tardiness. As he sat there, trying to regain some composure, a man came up from behind and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Hey Man! I see you finally made it.” Gary said.

Gary Donnelly, a good friend and former coworker, was now the Senior sales manager for BicTel, and apparently when a position on his sales team became available he immediately reached out to Michael. Michael’s first reaction was paranoia, he uncomfortably recalled the disastrous meeting with BicTel that ultimately cost him his job at Universal. However, Gary assured him there was nothing to worry about.
He explained that the entire team he addressed five years ago were no longer with the company. He also reminded him of his dire situation. “What do you have to lose?” he asked.

“Mr. O’Brien, they’re ready for you now. Please come with me.”

Michael’s brain was running rampant as he trailed nervously behind the fast-pacing receptionist.

“Good morning. Thank you for coming in,” a friendly voice spoke out from the interview panel.

Suddenly, Michael felt rejuvenated. It was as if the friendly voice was indeed friendly and spoke for all the new faces that sat in judgment. The questions were firm, and Michael’s answers were fixed. He spoke with authority and unlike his old self he found no reason to fabricate anything. Finally, after several grueling hours of interviewing, Michael was on his feet smiling and shaking hand with everyone in the room. “I believe things went well.” One of the members of the panel whispered. “of course, the CEO has the final decision.”

Luis began his career at BicTel as an application engineer, and within a year he was developing and implementing mission critical, global technologies and building the operations and IT organizations to support them. He had quickly become the golden-boy and the home office took notice. Over the next three years, Luis served in a variety of key executive roles at BicTel, overseeing sales organizations in North and Latin America. He grew press and industry awareness, led multiple international events and launched several new offerings to the marketplace. The years that followed were also very productive; not only was he a sitting member on the board of trustees, he also owned a healthy amount of BicTel stock. However, the idea to boldly invest in the company came from his parents who urged him to use his untouched college fund, which by than had accumulated a considerable amount of interest. Luis attributed his career to his father, but his financial success was largely due to his mother’s constant nagging about him starting a family. “Are you saving your money, son? Wives and babies don’t come cheap”

When sudden news about the possibility of a new CEO began to circulate throughout the company, all eyes were on Luis. However, to the board of trustees the news was anything but sudden. For months the approval rating of the Chief Executive Officer had been declining, and for months a concerned panel of decision-makers relied heavily on the decisiveness they were now getting from Luis. Luiz was oblivious to all the accolades being proclaimed behind his back; he had always been a humble man and only consider himself doing the job he was paid to do; however, as the river of influence continued to flow it soon became apparent that Luiz Henrique Santos would become the new CEO of BicTel International, Inc.

Shortly after the interview, Gary and Michael were standing outside when a black Sedan abruptly pulled up and stopped beside them. As the driver jumped out and open the passenger side door, Gary’s laidback demeanor quickly shifted to a working stance.  

   “I thought he was coming back tomorrow” he said.

“Who?”

“Our new CEO”

Michael closed his eyes for a second, hoping they were deceiving him.
“Sal? …Oh my god!” he said at the sight of an impeccably dressed Luiz emerging from the car.

 Gary was not aware of the history between Michael and Luiz, he started working at Universal Systems the same month Luiz left to begin his career at BicTel.
By that time Michael, without the assistance of Luiz, had been reduced to an insignificant employee who could not be trusted. Gary, unaware of the rumors, had become his only friend.

“Welcome back!” he shouted, as if greeting a long loss friend.

Michael just stood there, like a tree planted on the edge of a volcano about to erupt. He wanted to run. He wanted to remove himself from the heat he generated years ago. He wanted to take back the flow of fiery words he used to discredit an undeserving man. He tried turning away to avoid recognition, but the eye-contact had already been made. Luiz, with his head held high, smiled cordially and then without a word he was gone. Michael was overwhelmed, not with guilt but with terror and a strong sense of inadequacy. His face turned an ash white and beads of sweat began to show on his forehead.

“You look as if you’ve just seen a ghost.”

“I have, and I might as well kiss that job good-buy” Michael replied, as he recalled the last words whispered by a panel member. … “of course, the CEO has the final decision.”