Jones, on sabbatical in New England, was offered a "visionary at large" role after being ousted by Locke and the company's board of directors, according to one source. However, Wallaby officials declined to comment on Jones's plans for returning in his new non-management role. "Matthew Locke hopes that Peter will return to Wallaby soon," said Wallaby spokesperson Laurence Maupin. "We all miss him and look forward to having him back at work soon."
Jones could not be reached for comment.
- - - - - - - - - -
Peter folded the newspaper and sipped his orange juice. The sun was hot and the air smelled fresh and clean. All around him, people in summer dress clothes walked leisurely about the village, and the news of Silicon Valley felt very, very far away. He closed his eyes…and a moment later he sensed a shadow blocking the direct sunlight.
"Think you'll go back?" asked the elderly man standing before him. Beneath his arm was a folded copy of the "Journal."
Peter eyed the stranger. "I don't know."
The man placed his large, tanned and weathered hand on the back of the vacant chair beside Peter. "Okay if I join you?"
"Sure," Peter said, leaning back in his own chair.
The man removed his cap and signaled the waitress. He fixed his gaze on Peter for an instant. "Congratulations on the new product," he said with a wink. He unfolded his own newspaper and laid it over Peter's copy. "Your whiskers threw me for a second or two, but I used to slack off now and then on the shave - though not because I was masquerading."
"It wasn't my product introduction," Peter said, stroking his light beard unconsciously.