3000 Most Common Words This is a clean and tidy office. A photo is displayed on the wall. It shows the Memory Stationery staff standing proud in front of a new warehouse. Everyone’s face is full of optimism. But today the company atmosphere is tense. A4, the CEO of the company, is at his desk and on the phone; he is facing out the window at the sky. His facial expression is timid. “I hear you, Mr. Scissors,” says A4. “But it’s impossible. I can’t take our prices down that low. You’re asking me to sacrifice our entire profit margin.” A4 sits in silence as he listens to the response. A bead of sweat runs down the CEO’s face. The voice on the other end is frightening him. “Sir, last month I discounted our products to the bottom line… Yes, but, please, sir, I’m just an honest wholesaler. I promise I’m not trying to take advantage of you… Other retailers are happy to pay market rate—” A4 suddenly pulls the phone away from his ear. The voice is furious and aggressive. It is blasting out the tiny speaker. When the harsh noise calms down, A4 puts the phone back to his ear. “No, please, don’t cut me. Please, sir. You’re right, okay? You’re right. That was rude of me, I’m sorry… I know. I’m a scrap. You’re right. I’m no better than a tissue. You’re right…” A4 changes his tone. He isn’t pleading anymore. He sounds like he has given up. “Mr. Scissors. I’ll look at our margins and call you back. There might be some way we can go down lower…” A4 hangs up the phone. He leans back in his chair. His eyes are glazed over. He is deep in contemplation. He imagines the brutal scenario of Mr. Scissors cutting him into a thousand pieces. Throughout this entire time, A4 has been recording the conversation onto his paper body. This is his natural ability. A4’s unmistakable memory is the reason why he is the CEO. A4 picks up the phone and dials a number. Life returns to his eyes. “Backpack, get everyone together in the meeting room. I have an announcement.”