Patrick worked at Macy’s, a major department store at the corner of 12th and G Streets NW in Washington, D.C. His wife passed away years ago, and all his kids grew up and moved away. Patrick’s job was to set up mannequins on different floors throughout the store to be dressed for display. Occasionally he took some of the child-size mannequins to his home to be fixed. He never missed a day of work in 25 years.
Mrs. Baker was the store owner, but she had a board of investors to help her manage the company. Times were changing. The store needed a new look inside to attract younger shoppers. Out with the old and in with the new!
Mrs. Baker’s grandson, Hudson, had just arrived from New York City to serve on the board. He walked up and down all the floors, eventually going to the cellar. Patrick didn’t see him right away. Hudson heard Patrick talking to a mannequin as if it were alive.
“How long have you been working here?” Hudson asked. Patrick looked up. He had never met Hudson before today.
“Twenty-five years,” Patrick answered.
Hudson put his hands on his hips and turned to walk back up the stairs.
“There’s going to be some changes here soon,” he said. “This store has too many mannequins. I’m getting rid of them all.”
That can’t happen, Patrick thought. These are my friends. They must not be harmed.
“Oh, 25 years; that’s too long,” Hudson said. “I’m going to put together a retirement package with all the benefits.”
Patrick asked what would happen to the mannequins. Hudson grinned and said, “They will be sent back to the manufacturer to be destroyed. Burned, I guess.”
“Did Mrs. Baker say this?”
“No, not yet. My grandmother is old in her ways. But she will see it my way.”
Hudson walked off into the board meeting, where Mrs. Baker and the staff were discussing layoffs and changes that were needed to bring new customers.
“Hello, Grandmother,” Hudson said. “Sorry I’m late. I just saw that old fool Patrick talking to a mannequin. I told him that I’m making changes and he will be let go with his full retirement package.”
“You did what?” Mrs. Baker shouted. “Hudson, I own this store; it is not yours yet. That decision is mine and only mine to make.”
“But Grandmother, he’s crazy. He must be let go.”
“I must think about that for a few days, and then I’ll give you my decision,” Mrs. Baker said. The board members agreed, and the meeting was over.
That same day, Patrick left the store depressed. He took the Metro to a market, walked around looking at different things, and found himself standing in front of a statue of a fallen angel. How I wish I could get rid of that Hudson, he thought. He’s causing problems.
The statue opened its eyes and said to Patrick, “I can make him go away for you.”
Patrick’s eyes almost burst out of his head. I’m really losing it, he thought.
