Chapter 22
"Ladies and gentlemen, please find your seats," the announcer's voice boomed through the bustling auditorium.
The seating was already jammed to nearly full capacity as thousands of Wallaby employees filled the auditorium. A few front rows remained vacant, reserved for VIPs and the press. The stage was illuminated with a bright circle of light focused on an empty podium.
Backstage, William Harrell parted the curtain an inch and peered out at the gabby crowd. Hank Towers squeezed in beside him and also surveyed the crowd.
"I've never given a speech to so many people dressed like that,"
William remarked.
Beyond the first few dark rows, wave after wave of bodies clad in T-shirts and jeans stretched all the way to the back of the auditorium.
William stepped away from the curtain and rearranged his tie.
Hank patted him on the shoulder and laughed. "You look like you've gained twenty pounds," he joked privately.
"They're going to witness the world's fastest weight-loss program," William said with a cunning grin, referring to the surprise he had prepared for today's announcement.
"Get ready, William," Martin Cohn said, gesturing for everyone to move away from the curtains.