The Family W/ The Bitter Kool-Aid By Brendan Whitt

Art Work by Brendan Whitt

Part I – The Invitation

        Richard sat at his desk scribbling notes on his tablet as he went over his brief. The office had emptied out hours ago but still, Richard toiled away. He worked for a prestigious advertising agency in Santa Monica. It was the job he always wanted. Pretty good pay, some benefits, and the opportunity to be creative for a paycheck. Unfortunately, Richard became stuck in the same position for the past five years, junior copywriter. Watching one old white man retire to Florida after another as their sons, nephews, and sons of friends filled the vacant offices. Richard could feel the excitement tingle through his body as he finished his notes. His desk phone rang, it was his boss Presley.

       “Hey Presley, I was just finishing my notes on the brief.”

       Presley’s voice was chipper. “That’s why I like you. You’re a hard worker who never slacks off. But listen, I have one more thing to ask you before you jet off for the night. You mind coming to my office?”

       Richard rolled his eyes. It was going on 8 o’clock on a Friday and he was ready to leave. “Umm sure.” He tried his best to hide the reluctance. “Let me grab my things and I’ll be right over.” Richard hung up the phone and leaned back in his ergonomic office chair, a gift from a past client. He ran his hands through his coily black hair as he let out a longwinded sigh. Richard grabbed his belongings, slung his jacket over his back and made his way to Presley’s office. It was Presley’s doing that had Richard staying so late. He didn’t want to assume the worst but firing Richard at 8 on a Friday night was on brand for a guy like Presley. Richard made his way from the cluster of open-air cubicles down the hall, past the conference rooms and through the large wooden double doors of the c-suite.

       Presley was sitting in a tall leather office chair. You knew it was genuine leather the way it creaked whenever Presley shifted his weight. His hands were clasped together as he donned a bright and disturbing smile. His silky black hair was perfectly manicured and slicked back. “Richard, my favorite junior copywriter. How’s it going?”

       “I guess it’s good” Richard said. “This new energy drink is pretty run of the mill so I should have some copy ready for the art department soon.”

       “About that, I have something even more exciting than some energy drink. And I think you’re just the guy.”

       Richard perked up in his seat. “So, I’m off of the energy drink campaign?”

      “For now, yes. I just got off of the phone with the reps for this rising African Playwright. They want us to handle the campaign for his big American debut.””

       “That’s great. Where do I fit in?”

       “I’m glad you asked.” Presley stood up and looked out at the illuminated skyline. A beautiful backdrop of skyscrapers with near perfect glass facades coupled with an endless array of mountain and hilltops stared back. Richard waited for Presley to finish his statement. “I want you to head his project. You’ve been here for some years now and I like your work ethic. It’s time that we used you more.”

       “Excuse me?” Richard said.

       “You know, capitalize on your strengths. I think this will be a good opportunity for you to move up in the company. Somebody like you won’t get many chances at something like this.” Presley sat back down in his chair. “I know you’re ready to leave and start your weekend, so how about you and your family come to my house for dinner. We’ll talk about the campaign then. How is Saturday?”

       Richard didn’t want to sacrifice his Saturday for work, but concessions had to be made. “Saturday is perfect.”

       “Great, see you then.”

       The two men shook hands, Presley’s smile was still eerily shining bright while Richard’s lip struggled to curl. The backhanded manner in which Presley offered Richard the lead on the new campaign didn’t sit well with him. Presley had done this before so what would make this time so different? Whatever his motivation, Presley was right. An opportunity like this for Richard was rare. When Richard got home his wife Natalie was feeding their one-year old daughter. “Babe guess what,” he said as he walked through the door, “Presley invited us to dinner at his house.”

       “Your boss?” Natalie was confused.

       “Yeah.”

       “The old swagless White man that you can’t stand?”

       “Well yeah but what does that have to do with anything?”

       Natalie took a break from feeding their baby. “Nothing. It’s just funny how much you hate him and how awkward his nose and lips are. Why are you so excited about going to your boss’ house that you hate?”

       “Presley said that they’re taking on a new client and they want me to lead the campaign.”

       Natalie heard this story before. She didn’t want to rain on Richard’s parade but something was amiss. Her women’s intuition was kicking in. “What’s the campaign, cocoa butter or Black women hair care products?”

       “Actually, it’s neither” Richard said smugly. “It’s a play by a Nigerian playwright.”

       “Mmhmm. I knew it was something Black. The only time they ever give you a big campaign to work on it’s always something Black. Don’t you get tired of being the token?”

       “I helped with the Sprite campaign.”

       “A Black athlete was in it.”

       “What about that sneaker campaign?”

       “A rapper was in that.”

       “Damn. Can’t you just be happy that I get this opportunity? It’s not like they’re lining up to hand out promotions to me or the other two Black people in the office.”

       “You’re right.” Natalie said, “What they servin’. I’m not eatin’ no quinoa and avocado toast.”

       “I don’t know. He didn’t give me a menu. Let’s just take this all in stride and be happy that I’m gettin’ this opportunity.”

       Natalie took heed to her husband’s plea, enough ball busting. “Alright, I’ll ease up. It’s gonna be interesting to see how the other side lives. At least I can get cute and play trophy wife.”

       “Thank you, that’s all that I ask” Richard said.

Part II – Preparation

       Natalie got the baby dressed as Richard stressed over what to wear. He didn’t want to dress too formal like he was going on an interview or to court. He also didn’t want to dress too cordial. This was a dinner after all. Richard’s nerves were at an all-time high. The voice in his head began to ramble off questions to his conscious. “What are the stakes of this dinner. Are there going to even be any stakes, or steaks? What the fuck am I even thinking about right now?” Richard got out of his own head and got dressed.

       “Richard” Natalie called out from the other room.

       “Yeah” he answered.

       “Can you grab a few bottles from the refrigerator and put them in the diaper bag?”

       “Sure” Richard said. On his way to the kitchen Richard caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He stopped to look at himself and admire the jean and blazer combo he put together. He straightened his collar and smiled. “You got this” he said to himself.

       Presley’s wife Jennifer sat at her large marble island that was situated in the middle of her large custom kitchen with a glass of a fine red pressed firmly against her lips. She took a few sips leaving her bright red lipstick stained on the rim of the glass. She had high cheekbones, possibly enhanced, with a perfectly done up face. “I understand that you two work together but did you HAVE to invite them to our home for dinner? Whatever the two of you have to discuss I’m sure that it could have happened at a restaurant.”

       “Come on now Jenn, this is going to be a great night. We haven’t hosted guests in a little while. Besides, Richard is a decent guy.”

       Jenifer finished her wine before pouring another glass. Her long Blonde hair cascaded down her back. She moved her hair so that she could take another sip. “What is it that you like about this Richard so much?”

       “Well-” Presley stared off into space as if the words he wanted to say were going to suddenly walk through the door. “For one he’s a hard worker, you know that’s rare for them. He’s always first one in and last one out. And he does just about anything I tell him.” The truth was that Presley admired Richard’s sense of individuality. Richard was best at being himself. He listened to the music he liked, could speak on multiple topics around the water cooler, and he got along with everybody in the office. Presley wanted to connect with his subordinates but he rubbed everyone the wrong way. If Richard could enjoy himself at Presley’s then maybe he could leverage that to show everyone that he was a good guy, like Richard.

       “I’ve never heard you compliment someone from work who didn’t sign your check.”

       “Yeah well he’s a good one. Besides, I’m making him team lead on this project.”

       “At least he’s educated. I hope this doesn’t mean that you’ll start inviting them to our barbecues.”

       Pressley and Jennifer’s oldest child Anastasia walked into the kitchen holding a gym bag and a tennis racket. “Hi Dad. Are we having guests? I saw the caterer’s truck outside.”

       “Yes. I’m having one of my colleagues and his family over for dinner.”

       “We’re feeding the poor” Jennifer said under her breath.

       Anastasia was tall and modelesque like her mother but with curlier hair. “I’ll have to go and get washed up. Practice was pretty intense.”

       “If you see your brother around tell him that we’re expecting to see him for dinner” Richard said before exiting the kitchen. Jennifer, now done with her second glass of wine, stumbled to her feet as she fixed her couture dress. “I need this to night to hurry up and end already.”

       Presley was in the couple’s master bathroom. He spritzed himself with cologne, combed his hair, and applied a face cream. He stared into the mirror as he worked the cream into his skin. As he rubbed the last of the cream in, he could hear Jennifer call out his name.

       “Presley, are you in here?”

       “I’ll be out in a second dear.” Presley checked his face and straightened his clothes.

       On the drive, Richard and Natalie thought about what Presley’s house and home life were like. Richard knew that Presley lived a pretty sumptuous life by the way he dressed, the Tesla that he drove, and the fact that he was one of the executives at the firm. Richard always felt that Presley had a very dry personality, one of the reasons he wasn’t well liked.

       “He’s the typical rich White guy if you ask me” said Richard.

       “And what is that?”

       “You know, generally always happy, questionable fashion sense, off-color remarks. The typical stuff.”

       Natalie looked at their baby through the rearview mirror. “I wonder what his wife is like. You ever meet her?”

       Richard’s face turned up as he tried to recall if he ever met Jennifer. “Once but not formally. She came in then went straight to his office then left. I guess I’ve never met her but I’ve seen her before.”

       “What did she look like?”

       “Skinny, white, like a woman in her 50’s.”

       “What else. Elegant, fashionable? C’mon man. Use that writer brain. Give me some good adjectives.”

       “I don’t have any,” Richard said. “I think this is their house right here.”

       Richard pulled up to a large house that was surrounded by a gate. He rolled down the window and spoke into the intercom. “Hello, my name is Richard Williams. I’m a colleague of Presley’s.”

       “Mr. Barnes has been expecting you.”

       A buzzer sounded as the gate opened up and Richard drove through. The driveway as well as the walkway were lined with in-ground lighting. A large water fountain greeted Richard and Natalie as they walked up to the modern glass façade of the house.

       As Rachel and Natalie made their way to the door Natalie turned to Richard. “How much does he pay you again?”

       “Not enough” Richard said. “This nigga got a water fountain and we don’t even have a yard.”

       Once they got to the door they were invited in by a Jeeves. He escorted them through the foyer, down a corridor, and into the living room. The couch was so white and clean Natalie hesitated before sitting down. The room was full of fine art from canvas paintings that occupied entire walls to oblong and abstract sculptures. The couple sat in silence as they awaited their hosts.

       “Richard!”

When Richard stood up to greet Pressley and Jennifer, he noticed that Pressley as well as Jennifer’s smiles were tighter and faker than usual.

Part III – Examination

       Everyone at the table was jovial and full of laughs. The drinks were strong and the food was good. The Jeeves brought out platter after platter of food and hors d'oeuvres. Presley and Jennifer laughed and joked with Richard and Natalie as if the two couples were old friends. Anastasia played with the baby while Bryson, Presley and Jennifer’s son was nowhere to be found.

       “Anastasia, where is your brother” Jennifer queried.

       “I told him to come down an hour ago. He’s logged into his VR headset.”

       “That thing is safe to use” Richard asked.

       “This isn’t the test model we saw in the office. This is the more complete product. It should be at retailers this fall.” Presley took a sip of his old fashioned. “So, Richard, let’s go into my office to talk business.”

       Richard turned to Natalie, “You ok?”

       “I’m fine. Go and handle your business, that’s why we’re here.”

       Richard gave Natalie a peck on the cheek before going off with Presley.

       Richard lost track of how far they had walked but he figured it was more than just going down the hall. When Presley opened the door to his office Richard was amazed at how big it was and also how similar it looked like Presley’s office at work. “Another drink my friend” Presley offered.

       Richard obliged. “Sure.”  His phone vibrated while Presley poured the two of them some some scotch. It was a text from Natalie that read, “This woman has not blinked or stopped smiling since we got here.” Richard looked up at Presley and texted back, “Presley ain’t stopped smiling either. This is weird even for him.”

       “So, Richard,” Presley started, “Did you finish reading the play?”

       “I did. I enjoyed it. A great story of brothers fighting to keep a kingdom together.”

       “Good. We get free tickets to the premiere just to let you know. So, what are your thoughts on the campaign?”

       “Since the play is so popular in Africa, we should definitely play into that. You know phrases like ‘internationally recognized’ or ‘internationally acclaimed playwright.’ New York, Atlanta, and DC are going to be our biggest markets to start.”

       “How far along are you with the proposal?”

       “The team should have something by the middle of the week.” Richard was beginning to feel confident about his ideas for the campaign.

       “Good to hear” Presley said. “Let’s go and rejoin the ladies then shall we?”

       As Richard stood up he noticed a small droplet running down the middle of Presley’s head. Normally Richard would have looked away but the droplet had a distinct discoloration to it. Richard stared at Presley’s forehead as the droplet continued to roll past Presley’s eye brow.

       “Richard, Richard, is everything ok? Is there something on my face?”

       “Your sweat has a color to it” Richard said.

       Presley tapped on his forehead with his index finger, when he pulled it away his fingertip was covered in a light peach colored substance. Presley and Richard stood in the middle of the office staring at Presley’s finger.

       “Hey man, you ok?” Richard asked.

       That same big fake smile reappeared, “I’m good.”

       “You sure, because you got something running down your face.” Richard was trying to get a better look at Presley’s forehead. “Are you feeling ok? Maybe you should sit down.”

       “I’ll meet you downstairs.” Presley put his hand over his forehead. His sleeve collar was stained as his hand dripped as well.

       “Bruh, are you melting? Is this real right now?”

       “Shut the door.”

       Richard backed away, “Ima go get you some help- “

       “I said shut the door!” Presley calmed himself down. His smile had now subsided. “If you want to keep your job, shut the door.”

       Richard closed the door but stood close by it petrified. His boss was leaking a liquid that wasn’t blood. “I need you to tell me what’s going on.”

       Presley took a stiff swig of his drink. “I know that I may appear to be and that I live my life as a White man but the truth is that I’m Black.”

       Richard’s eyes grew big. “So, your skin is melting. But why?”

       “It isn’t melting. It’s defective.” Presley tossed Richard a small jar full of a cream that was the same color as the drips on his head and hand.

       “Defective? What is this?”

       “This is a new brand of racial concealer. I’m a principal investor in this particular brand so I figured ‘The least I can do is try the stuff myself.’ I’m going to lose money on this investment.”

       “I always heard of racial concealer but I thought it was Hotep conspiracy. There was guy in my college dorm who they said used it. I guess they were right.” Richard tossed back what was left in his glass.

       “I’m sorry that you had to see me like this.” Presley’s head was hanging low.

       “Does Jennifer know you use it?”

       “She does but since only my dad is half-Black, she says that I’m White. But I know that deep down I’m- “

       “Black?”

       Presley nodded his head yes in shame. Richard sat down on the small couch and stretched his arm along the back. “Who else knows?”

       “No one.”

       “Wow. So, Presley Barnes is Black. Everything you got, is because people thought you were White. But here you are, a White passing Black man playing it up.”

       Presley went on the defensive. “No. I’ve worked for this. I went to school, I worked, became a partner in a prestigious advertising firm. Everything that I have I earned. Nothing was given to me!”

       “Yeah but the Presley pretending to be White with racial concealer did those things. I always thought ‘Maybe Presley works me this hard because he’s a shitty old White dude. Everybody else is so respectful towards me. They commend me. But here you are, just a self-hating octoroon.”

       “So, what’s your point?” Presley snapped.

       “I don’t have one to be made. What I would like to know is what you willin’ to do to keep this secret between us?”

       Presley was stunned as his face went flush with anger. “What do you want?”

       Richard started with his list of demands. “I want a bigger office, with a window. Norm’s old office is still vacant ain’t it? I want that one.”

       “That’s it” Presley said smugly.

       “Heel naw.” Richard got up to pour himself another drink. “I want a full month of paid vacation, keys to the company time share, and a parking spot on the first floor of the parking garage.” He took a sip before sitting back down.

       “So you want executive perks?”

       “With the title and pay raise. Or you become a regular degular ol’ nigga like me.”

       Presley’s voice was somber. “I can make a recommendation – “

       “Nooooo. Fuck that. Use that new hologram screen we did that campaign for. Send an IM to the guys. We should handle this tonight. Richard took a picture of Pressley, “For proof” he said. Now go on ahead and put ya lil cream on and make the call.”

Part IV – Conclusion 

Richard and Natalie’s baby lay fast asleep in her car seat as they talked about dinner. “I think his wife was racist on the low.”

       “What makes you say that?”

       “She had the nerve to say ‘You keep her hair so well managed. I can only imagine how hard it is.’” Richard laughed. “That’s not funny” Natalie retorted. “and what’s up with their son never coming down to eat? So rude. What did you guys talk about? You were up there for a while.” Natalie gave her husband a side eye.

       “Man quit playin’.” They both laughed off the quip. “He gave me a promotion. We called an emergency meeting per my request to all of the board members and we rushed it through. I will be introduced as the new Creative Director of Urban Media.”

       “So now you’re the Glowing Negro of the office. Did you get the perks?”

       “Pffft. Of course I did.”

       “Aww shit. Vacation at the company time share. Ayyy turn up!”