The Possession of Ally McBeal
Whatever possessed Ally to act against her nature, instinct and inclination?
A combination of circumstance, luck, and something less human-ly that drove her to commit what appears to be a reckless and irresponsible act, even from her standpoint.
Ally deeply abhors her decision and action that has caused harm to her (wrecked by guilt and regret). She also feels she has let her supervisor, who has put her on it, very, very down. The latter is what hurts her most, the feeling she has squandered the trust and belief supervisor has in her.
The story:
Together with Cally and Sally, Ally has been working on a contract. They have been meeting the client, negotiating and amending the clauses where required.
Friday evening, client called for second meeting for that day. His frustrations were iterated: terms were too scary, being harshly and strictly worded – his hands were tied and he refused to sign.
Now Ally has a pre-bought show to catch on Friday night, a show that she already has missed before due to a friend’s work commitments. She is watching with someone else tonight so she is concerned whether she can make it.
In Ally’s mind, she had things worked out: she’ll monitor the discussion carefully and check for the ominous signs of abating, change or whatever. When push comes to shove, she can cancel the movie date, risk wrath of friend whom she’s not seen for ages and who has been waiting patiently outside the theatre all the way.
The strangest thing did happen, the signing was established as not taking place, whatever that was supposed to be happening would be postponed to months later to allow for careful drafting of mutually agreed terms and especially, to buy time for more talk on the matter at hand.
The consensus lasted for more than half an hour.
In Ally’s judgment (which was later proved to be disastrously erroneous), she has believed in good ill and faith that they have pretty much come to the end of things. Nothing seemed to warrant change, all parties were in tandem and most importantly, such has been so for the last 30 minutes and more. They were just casually chatting now, informally making small talk and suggestions for the future that would only occur much later. (NB: The overall important thing is whether contract gets signed. Since it cannot be, that is it).
So, Ally left for her show, while reminding Cally and Sally to keep her informed of any changes and updates.
After the show, Ally still had not received any news from Cally and Sally. She called and sms-ed both. Neither picked up nor replied. A scary thought crossed Ally’s mind: Could the discussion actually have been prolonged and is still taking place?
But there’s nothing Ally can do if no one is updating her, especially after she has tried to contact both girls. She decided to banish that scary thought and tried to believe that the girls were just too tired and were already in bed.
An unnatural feeling of unease and discomfit trailed.
When Ally checked her work account in the middle of the night, she was appalled to receive an email of announcement from her leader that thanks to Cally and Sally, the deal has been done, contract signed and everything as per normal. Apparently, the deal was just newly inked only.
Now, if that were the case, and we backtracked in time, Ally would still have been in the heat of the action had someone answered her calls and sms-es. She was ready to return to office. But no one updated her.
By nature, Ally thinks well of people. She knows how people can forget in heat and excitement, or even competition of things. But it leaves her somewhat bitter. But she understands. She cannot blame Cally or Sally for not informing her that the tide was somehow turned, or simply, perhaps, just wanting to shine. Three’s a crowd, maybe that’s always true.
If anything, Ally kicks herself for not being vigilant, sensible and mature enough to stay till the every end till every single person in the discussion has left. Good will, faith, and honest beliefs aside, that’s what she should have done. And Ally deserves to have all these uncomely things happening around her by acting like a reckless and irresponsible party girl.
Georgia had remarked in amazement upon hearing Ally’s tale, that she is quite surprised Ally would leave. It’s just not in character.
Ally thought it over and agreed, somewhat reluctantly.
Oh dear, she has been reckless and irresponsible simply by going for the show despite best intentions and erroneous judgment.
Sure, she has called frantically but really, she left when she should have stayed. It would be very good and great had Cally and Sally let her know for her to come back (there would still be at least a good one and a half hours of participation before the signing), but she also concedes they have no obligations to make it their priority.
Ultimately, Ally did not chose to stay and that is her fault. She cannot blame others.
Ally has learned an important moral and hopes to spread the message: Stay in meetings till the very end – do not leave, for you never know what may change and what caused it.
Cally and Sally hedged when Ally tried asking about what led to changes and Ally decided to leave it. The stone’s thrown, dice’s cast and damage’s done. Ally must have this etched in mind since she is paying price for the lesson learnt.
And no less important, no one owes you a living. Ally has always been vigilant about office politics. Still, she believes and trusts when necessary. The incident only reminded her to be even more vigilant.
A combination of circumstance, luck, and something less human-ly that drove her to commit what appears to be a reckless and irresponsible act, even from her standpoint.
Ally deeply abhors her decision and action that has caused harm to her (wrecked by guilt and regret). She also feels she has let her supervisor, who has put her on it, very, very down. The latter is what hurts her most, the feeling she has squandered the trust and belief supervisor has in her.
The story:
Together with Cally and Sally, Ally has been working on a contract. They have been meeting the client, negotiating and amending the clauses where required.
Friday evening, client called for second meeting for that day. His frustrations were iterated: terms were too scary, being harshly and strictly worded – his hands were tied and he refused to sign.
Now Ally has a pre-bought show to catch on Friday night, a show that she already has missed before due to a friend’s work commitments. She is watching with someone else tonight so she is concerned whether she can make it.
In Ally’s mind, she had things worked out: she’ll monitor the discussion carefully and check for the ominous signs of abating, change or whatever. When push comes to shove, she can cancel the movie date, risk wrath of friend whom she’s not seen for ages and who has been waiting patiently outside the theatre all the way.
The strangest thing did happen, the signing was established as not taking place, whatever that was supposed to be happening would be postponed to months later to allow for careful drafting of mutually agreed terms and especially, to buy time for more talk on the matter at hand.
The consensus lasted for more than half an hour.
In Ally’s judgment (which was later proved to be disastrously erroneous), she has believed in good ill and faith that they have pretty much come to the end of things. Nothing seemed to warrant change, all parties were in tandem and most importantly, such has been so for the last 30 minutes and more. They were just casually chatting now, informally making small talk and suggestions for the future that would only occur much later. (NB: The overall important thing is whether contract gets signed. Since it cannot be, that is it).
So, Ally left for her show, while reminding Cally and Sally to keep her informed of any changes and updates.
After the show, Ally still had not received any news from Cally and Sally. She called and sms-ed both. Neither picked up nor replied. A scary thought crossed Ally’s mind: Could the discussion actually have been prolonged and is still taking place?
But there’s nothing Ally can do if no one is updating her, especially after she has tried to contact both girls. She decided to banish that scary thought and tried to believe that the girls were just too tired and were already in bed.
An unnatural feeling of unease and discomfit trailed.
When Ally checked her work account in the middle of the night, she was appalled to receive an email of announcement from her leader that thanks to Cally and Sally, the deal has been done, contract signed and everything as per normal. Apparently, the deal was just newly inked only.
Now, if that were the case, and we backtracked in time, Ally would still have been in the heat of the action had someone answered her calls and sms-es. She was ready to return to office. But no one updated her.
By nature, Ally thinks well of people. She knows how people can forget in heat and excitement, or even competition of things. But it leaves her somewhat bitter. But she understands. She cannot blame Cally or Sally for not informing her that the tide was somehow turned, or simply, perhaps, just wanting to shine. Three’s a crowd, maybe that’s always true.
If anything, Ally kicks herself for not being vigilant, sensible and mature enough to stay till the every end till every single person in the discussion has left. Good will, faith, and honest beliefs aside, that’s what she should have done. And Ally deserves to have all these uncomely things happening around her by acting like a reckless and irresponsible party girl.
Georgia had remarked in amazement upon hearing Ally’s tale, that she is quite surprised Ally would leave. It’s just not in character.
Ally thought it over and agreed, somewhat reluctantly.
Oh dear, she has been reckless and irresponsible simply by going for the show despite best intentions and erroneous judgment.
Sure, she has called frantically but really, she left when she should have stayed. It would be very good and great had Cally and Sally let her know for her to come back (there would still be at least a good one and a half hours of participation before the signing), but she also concedes they have no obligations to make it their priority.
Ultimately, Ally did not chose to stay and that is her fault. She cannot blame others.
Ally has learned an important moral and hopes to spread the message: Stay in meetings till the very end – do not leave, for you never know what may change and what caused it.
Cally and Sally hedged when Ally tried asking about what led to changes and Ally decided to leave it. The stone’s thrown, dice’s cast and damage’s done. Ally must have this etched in mind since she is paying price for the lesson learnt.
And no less important, no one owes you a living. Ally has always been vigilant about office politics. Still, she believes and trusts when necessary. The incident only reminded her to be even more vigilant.
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