"Now, dressed like this, you'd think I could probably do some of the thinking you guys do to make amazing computers, right?"
"Right!" the audience echoed, playing along with his skit.
"Wrong," he said. "To have the systems you folks have, guys like me have to leave it to you, the experts."
Here goes. He felt his heart pounding wildly, and he took a deep breath.
"What I'm about to announce may at first come as a shock to you," he warned, serious now, "but please," he said emphasizing with his hands, "before you throw your chairs, give me a moment to explain."
As he had feared, an anxious murmur started up in the crowd. He had to act fast.
"Today," he said, raising his voice, "I'm very excited and proud to announce the merger of Wallaby and International Computer Products.
Mayhem exploded throughout the audience.
"Wait, please!" William shouted with raised palms, his voice barely audible in the angry cacophony. "Wait. Please, let me explain…" he said, moving across the stage, closer to the incensed crowd.
* * *