Norman told him about Jacqueline and that she had an idea for a
product he would prefer she explained to him herself. He reminded
his boss at several points in the explanation that Pierce had asked him
to help find employees like Jacqueline.
.....
"No company can prosper if it evaluates ideas by their source rather than
their merit," said Jacqueline. "In the nineties, new ideas can come from
anywhere. Have you ever heard of re-engineering?"
Norman expected Pierce to whip out his blank paper, but his boss just
sounded cagey.
"Fads and fashion," said the shadow.
"Not at all," said Jacqueline. "It's an idea whose time has come.
At least for this company."
....
....
The next day, Jacqueline seemed pleased at the idea of meeting with
Norman and Pierce, and it occurred to Norman that she felt it as
important to get close to power as to have her ideas heard. In fact,
it was probably even more important.
.....
......
Jacqueline before meeting Pierce
He looked at Jacqueline, and she looked as serious as ever. She was
wearing another power suit. He wasn't sure, but he thought the stripe
was even more pronounced this time. Norman supposed that was the
essence of power dressing: some small bizarre flaw, like a bright yellow
necktie or an excessive stripe, that allowed the wearer the illusion of
having personal taste in clothing.
....
He looked away and saw Jacqueline fumbling a little to seat herself in
the other chair. She was not unattractive in this [dim] light.
From the side, Norman couldn't see her contact lenses. Her black hair
gleamed where the light caught it, and when she turned her head to look
away from the desk lamp, she showed an expanse of creamy white neck.
....
Jacqueline after meeting Pierce
When he looked up, Jacqueline was standing in front of him. She had
approached so quietly that he was almost startled, the more so because
she looked awful. Her skin was paler than he remembered, and her
face had a drawn look, almost gaunt. Her eyes were rimmed
bright red, which gave her bright blue contact lenses an unattractive but
slightly patriotic effect.
....
Jacqueline shifted her leather portfolio from her right to her left hand,
then rubbed a small bruise on her neck with the right. Her
movements were lethargic in a way that seemed unlike her and her voice
was uncharacteristically soft and monotonous. "I didn't feel well this morning."
....