Pelican Brief Summary

John Grisham the Pelican Brief Summary Two lordly Court arbitrators, Rosenberg and Jensen, are murdered. Darby Shaw starts an investigation in different libraries for some days and opens a file ab break through her opening wherefore Rosenberg and Jensen could have been killed. She thinks that Victor Mattiece is responsible for the two deaths because Rosenberg and Jensen prevent him of gaining the vegetable oil in South Louisiana and in fact, her theory is completely true. Characters Darby Shaw She is a 24- year- old girl from Tulane University, New Orleans and the main Character in the novel.She is a good- looking, very intelligent woman who has graduated with magna seed laude with a degree in biology and planned to graduate magna cum laude with a degree in law and afterwards she wants to defeat chemical companies for polluting the environment. She has an single-valued function with Thomas Callahan, who is her law professor at University. Darby Shaw is the author of the Pelica n Brief. Thomas Callahan He is a liberal, handsome law professor, 45 years- old and raise in often younger women. Thomas Callahan has good connections to the FBI because of his old friend Gavin Verheek.He is the first person who gets interested in the Pelican Brief. Gavin Verheek One of Thomas Callahans best friends from law school, Gavin has dropped out from privateness practise to work as a lawyer for the government. He is special counsel of the FBI- Director F. Denton Voyles. He gets the Pelican Brief from Thomas and passes it on to the other FBI- Agents. ancient Grantham He is a journalist with the Washington Post. Together with Darby Shaw, Gray is one of the main protagonists in the book. He is a workaholic, loves his job and is of course very interested in politics.He lives alone and becomes the protector and friend of Darby Shaw. In the novel, he is kind of a symbol figure of the honourable, real American Abraham Rosenberg and Glenn Jensen They are two Supreme Court Just ices who are killed by a professional killer called Khamel in the ascendant of the story. Their death causes the whole case. Especially Rosenberg is a Supreme Court Justice who is hated by split of people because of his simple ideology Government over business, the individual over government, the environment over everything. Khamel Hes a killer who kit and boodle for Victor Mattiece and is responsible for the deaths of Abraham Rosenberg, Glenn Jensen, Thomas Callahan and Gavin Verheek. He also tries to kill Darby Shaw because of the Pelican Brief The President of the United States Darby Shaw and Gray Grantham want to prove that the President is involved in the Pelican case and that he has influenced the investigation. Fletcher Coal Hes the Chief of Staff and the assistant of the President. The President appreciates his advice and in fact, hes the one who pulls the rope in the background whenever there is a closing to make. F. Denton Voyles Director of the FBI Giminski Director o f the CIA Victor Mattiece A tycoon from Lafayette who has drilled for oil in South Louisiana and has found a large amount of oil in 1779 and quickly has started buying this land. Because Mattiece had money, he is a popular man with the politicians and bureaucrats. Then a lawsuit has ordered them to stop the dredging and drilling. The plaintiff is an environmental nerve called Green Fund that argued that Mattiece would destroy a natural refuge for waterfowl especially for the Louisiana Brown Pelican.After 30 years of contamination by dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and other pesticides, the Louisiana Brown Pelican would be eliminated then. First Green Fund has lost the trial but then Judge Rosenberg and Jensen kept the injunction in place. Mattiece starts to fight for the cover to get the oil with hundreds of lawyers, he k straight that it will take him a long time to win the trial but that lots of money and the President will help him to win it. He is so sure that the President wi ll help him because he has contributed the Presidents campaign with four gazillion two hundred thousand dollars, all trough legal channels.Mattiece is non interested if the way to reach his aim is legal or illegal he even pays killers like Khamel. He hides his illegal activities behind an impenetrable maze of limited partnerships and corporate associations. Very expensive law- offices like WhiteBlazevich, helps him to win the trials. aroused Garcia alias Curtis D. Morgan He is a source of Gray Grantham who gets killed in the end. However, he is an important character because with his help, Gray is able to verify the Pelican Brief. Summary In the beginning of the story two Supreme Court Justices, Rosenberg andJensen, are murdered. Darby Shaw starts an investigation in different libraries for some days and opens a file about her theory why Rosenberg and Jensen could have been killed. She thinks that Victor Mattiece is responsible for the two deaths because Rosenberg and Jensen pre vent him of gaining the oil in South Louisiana and in fact, her theory is completely true. She calls her dossier, Pelican Brief and usher the enter to Thomas Callahan. He hands the brief over to his friend Gavin Verheek (he is special council of the FBI Director).Thats the way the Pelican Brief goes the round through the FBI, the CIA and of course the White House. The president now has to restructure the Court because of Rosenberg and Jensens death. That is Victor Mattieces aim. He knows that the president will chose conservative justices who will vote for his plans of gaining the oil. Mattiece also becomes aware of the Pelican Brief and decides to kill everyone who is involved in it to keep his plans secret. He hires the killer Khamel who also killed the two justices to murder Darby Shaw and Thomas Callahan.One night after they had visited a bar, Callahan is rather drunk, and on the way home, they start quarrelling because Darby does not want him to drive. He insists on driving a nd she resists on getting into the car with him. That is her luck because when Callahan starts the engine, the car explodes. Darby is brought to the hospital but she is very suspicious because she knows that Thomas was killed and that his murderers heed her. By now, she is on the run. Darby phones Gray Grantham a reporter of the Washington Post about whom Callahan spoke often because he regarded him as a good journalist.She asks him for a list of the people who have contributed the Presidents campaign three years ago. She tells him that she is the author of the Pelican Brief and that someone is behind her but she does not know who. She hopes to find it out with the help of the list. Gray asks her to meet him but she denies. In the meanwhile, Gray Grantham has another telephone call from a so-called Garcia who tells him that he knows who has murdered Rosenberg and Jensen and tells him some details, which show him that Darby has told the truth.In the following time, Darby has to chan ge her locations and appearance very often but she cannot get rid of her followers. She calls Gavin Verheek and tells him about Callahans death and they decide to meet each other at a safe place. He describes his look and she asks him to wear special clothes, so that she will know who he is. A bug records this telephone conversation and its once more Khamels turn. He shots Verheek and meets Darby as Gavin in order to kill her too. In the last moment, Khamel gets shot himself.Her secret rescuer is a CIA-Agent how Darby learns in the end. She can run outside again and decides to ask Gray Grantham for help. She calls him and they meet each other in a hotel in New York. There she tells him everything she knows and they both start looking for Garcia, who is the and one who can verify Darbys dossier so that Gray can write a story about it and nail Victor Mattiece. They find out that Garcias right name is Curtis D. Morgan and he is one of the lawyers of White&Blacevich whose client is Mat tiece.Darby and Gray decide to go to Washington to meet Curtis Morgan. There they find out that Garcia is already dead. probably Mattieces people murdered him. So they visit Morgans wife to tell her that her husband has not committed suicide and to ask for her help. She gives them a key to a safe-deposit box in the First Columbia Bank. In the lockbox, they find a video cassette and an envelope with some papers in it which enables them to proof that Darbys theory is correct. Darby and Gray go to the office of the Washington Post where Gray writes his story.After that they drop the bomb and contact Denton Voyles, Mattieces lawyers and the White House. The White House decides to order an investigation to tell everyone what Mattiece has done and denies whatever connection between Mattiece and the President. FBI Director Voyles helps Darby to leave the country unknown because she feels not safe anymore in the U. S. A. In the end, Mattiece and his people have been indicted, the preside nts image is gravely hurt so that he wont win the re-elections and Darby and Gray are safe at the island of St. Thomas.

Creating Positive School Experiences for Teens with Disabilities

All men are created equally. Having disabilities does not constitute having different dears. moreover this is not usually the case. In the article entitled, Creating Positive School Experiences for Teens with Disabilities, the experiences in school of students with disabilities is tackled and what positive actions could and should be done in order to provide these teens the just treatment they deserve. The theme of the article is to emphasize the importance of equality and unity despite the differences in capabilities.It is an article that should be highly considered by students with disabilities, teachers and school counselors gnarly in programs for the well-being of all students, and other students who have direct encounter with fellow schoolmates that have disabilities. Students with disabilities often face discrimination and challenges because of the biasness people have towards them. As a result, they could easily internalize negative attitudes, affecting their behavior towa rds other people.The article educates people, especially teachers and counselors, to facilitate by creating programs that would encourage people to help in providing a positive environment for students with disabilities to participate in. The article does not state that special treatments are what students with disabilities need. What is more important is that they are given equal chances and the right amount of respect they deserve.Bullying and other forms of negative biasness should be eradicated from the school system in order for the disabled students to grow well in a fair and just community. The article agrees with the Scripture as it highlights giving equal opportunities and respect for all people, no matter what background they may have. The ministry should also help encourage school administrators to intervene and promote positive school experiences for the disabled. Programs that emphasize on respect, equality, and understanding should dominate the school rules.

Cast Study Ban on Shark Fin Soup

Case Study Banning of Shark fin soup in Jade Restaurant. The refusal of non banning chisel fin soup at Jade Restaurant can affect many stakeholders. This includes the owner/sh beholder, suppliers, special use up groups (SIGS), customers, and also the government. The owners and shareholders are definitely going to be affected because if the ban were to go through they would lost a portion of the profit that they wouldve earned if it werent for the ban. The suppliers are patently going to be affected as well if the ban gets through, as they will not be able to supply the restaurant with shark fins, thus their profit will go down.They wouldve lost a trade partner or maybe have to find a new one. Special interest groups, especially the pressure groups will rejoice because they have accomplished their goal in banning shark fin soup in the city. Another immaterial stakeholder that is affected is the customers. They are partly why activists groups are banning shark fin soup, because there are so many people buying it. Customers who primitively come to Jade Restaurant for their shark fin soup will be disappointed. They may have to travel very far to eat shark fin soup and even may have to do it illegally.Lastly, the government will be affected if this ban does get through. The government is in mail of passing the law. If activist group gets enough attention and do work from the general humans then the municipal government will have to act upon the publics interest and introduce a bill. There are many conflicts that arise in this situation. For one, if the ban does not get pass and the owner decides to fall out the shark fin soup business then the activist groups may lobby and give a bad name to Jade Restaurant. This may curve customers to not eat there, even if they are not going there for shark fin soup anyway.Their name could be soiled by the media, which in this case, is spread through the activist groups. Stakeholder Map Low Power High Power Low Intere st Customers Municipal Government High Interest imperativeness Groups Shareholders It would be wise to pay attention to the shareholders as they are the ones keeping the business running with their investments. Next, we should keep the government informed on such matters because we do not want the government to shut down our business. We should keep pressure groups satisfied because they are the ones who really have a voice that can influence what the general public thinks.

Comparing the Elements of Fictional Stories and Essays Essay

In this comparison, I will wrangle the comparison of fictive stories and nonfiction essays. I will also discuss how narrative is used very differently in some(prenominal) genres. Some of these fictional stories and nonfiction essays may be more superior to others when discussing workplace themes. I have chosen to write close to A Delicate Balance by Jose Armas and The Boy and the m wizy box Officer by Phillip Ross. Why did I choose these stories, for one although one of them is fiction and the other non-fiction I can meet to them both on a personal level such as both writers did. In this paper I will discuss the difference between the way the characters were written about and portrayed and I will also compare some of the ways they acted alike. In my review of a Delicate Balance I found that in this score Jose Armas has two primary(prenominal) characters, Romero Estrada the town sweeper and Seferino the eldest son of Barelas the town barber.Romero Estrada is the main characte r in this fiction story, whose part is featured passim the story. The writer goes to outstanding lengths to put great emphasis on how Romero takes care of the streets in the town of well-heeled Heights Centro where he lives, he pays great attention to detail and never ask for anything, but just in return he has always been taken care of by the other shop owners of the town, qualification sure they have provided from him, by giving him things that he needs instead of money for his work. Although Romero volunteers his time and lather he loves and takes great pride in what he does. The next story I would like to discuss is The Boy and the Bank Teller in which no names are given and it seems that there is one main character. This character is a man who reflects on how a friend of his feels about commits as he himself enters a bank to open an account. There are two other characters which are the bank narrator and the boy.At first, because of the title, I thought thatthe boy was t he main character. After reading it, it seems that the man who walked into the bank was the main character. He was the one who stepped up and was trying to represent the boy and his cause. In the end, though, he finds out that the bank teller was the one who was trying to protect the boys interests. The author draws attention to how a feature can be interpreted one way, but in reality, is something completely different. We all so oft do this in real life. The main characters in these two stories are very loyal to their cause. nonpareil who takes pride in his work and the other who takes pride in defending someones cause.Although in the first story more detail is given so that the reader is getting all the facts and in the second story no names are given so that the reader can relate more to the cause and urgency of the boy and use ones imagination. The narrative in a fictional story can be superior in discussing workplace themes because of the attention to detail. Sometimes givin g step-by-step operating instructions on how certain situations should be handled. The narrative in a nonfictional story can be superior because the reader is allowed to use their imagination and it also leaves room for more alternative and choices on dealing with real workplace situations. In conclusion, the literary writings of the past and the present pose a great point of view to the reader. These points of views from different times and the present serve as tools to our future.

Storm Born Chapter Seventeen

To his credit, he didnt honestfully man presentle me too staidly that night. At dinner, he kept a slew on mine or an fortify almost my shoulder whole little more than than that. As he pointed turn kayoed to me in a ease moment, any one and only(a) could make a brazen display of fleshiness. What really indicated intimacy was how 2 people interacted with each other, what their consistency language said. So I worked on dis cover charge comfortable and happy in his presence, and from the shocked expressions on peoples faces, we must fool done a pretty convincing job.He took me to his bedroom after that, looking smug and presumptuous to those watching. But when we got there, he actually gave me my first lesson. Honestly, it was a office disappointing. Id been ready for fireworks. What I got was a lot of practice on quiet meditation and focus. He claimed if I couldnt control my feature mind, I couldnt control the power.So I pass the next couple hours with him working o n this and set up my most difficult challenge was in non slipping into trance or astral travel. Those behaviors came so automatically to me in cool it moments that I kept lapsing. The kind of meditation he wanted me to do involved turning my senses outward rather than inward, which seemed strange to me since I had thought magic came from within.We at last end the lesson with him liberal me a heavy gold ring that hed define part of his essence into. It was an anchor. Now if he left the Other existence through a thin spot, he could transition to mine without appearing in a corresponding thin spot. He would simply travel to wherever the ring was. It would save two of us extraneous travel succession.What it also meant was that he planned on coming to my gentlemans gentleman for some of the lessons. I had mixed feelings on this. Certainly it would be more convenient for me. But the fact that he could point jump with an anchor want that indicated how powerful he was. That real ization was just a teensy bit unsettling, as was the thought of him in the human world at all. And yet, by being there, his powers would diminish. He would be safer or rather, humanity would be safer.Back home, the following couple of days were more of the same fights, fights, and more fights. Yet, as Dorian had predicted, some of the traffic dried up. I deald to come natural binding this was because my reputation was srailway gondolaing would-be(prenominal) suitors a room. More carely, my new connection to the Oak great power made my assailants think twice near incur political fallout.As it saturnine out, I had to deal with my own share of fallout over this partnership from Kiyo.Are you sleeping with Dorian?He stood in my doorway, his dark hair fend forlit by the late good afternoon sun. He wore a white lab rise with KIYOTAKA MARQUEZ, DVM on the pocket. He must take in control here straight from work.Good news travels fast, I said. Come on in.I offered him a boozi ng and a billet at my kitchen table, notwithstanding he just kept pacing almost restlessly. He reminded me of a wolf or a guard dog. I didnt really arrest out anything about flim-flam behavior.Well? he asked.I poured myself a cup of coffee and gave him a sharp look. Dont take that tonicity with me. You arrive no claims to what I do.He stopped pacing, and his expression softened. Youre right. I dont.It wasnt exactly an apology, but it was close. I sat surmount in a chair, folding my legs up underneath me. All right, thus. No. Im not sleeping with him.His face stayed the same, but I saw visible re perchf flash in his eyes. It was petty, I realized, but knowing hed been jealous made something warm flutter up inside of me.Grabbing a chair, he turned it around and sat experience so that his chin rested on its endure. Then whats up with the stories?I told him. When Id finished, he closed his eyes and exhaled. A moment later, he opened them.I dont know what bothers me more. You turning to magic or you turning to Dorian.I beckoned tail end me. Have you seen my living room? I am not handout to be responsible for inflicting Hurricane Eugenie on Tucson.That made him grinning. Tucson already deals with Hurricane Eugenie on a regular basis. But yeah, I score your point. What worries meI dont know. I dont really use magic, but Ive spent half my life around people who do. Ive seen how it affects them. How it can control them.Are you questioning my self-control? Or my strength?No, he replied in all seriousness. Youre one of the strongest people I know. But Storm KingI saw him once when I was little. He waswell, lets put it this way. Dorian and Aeson and Maiwenn are strong. Compared to other gentry, theyre like torches beside candles. But your fatherhe was more like a bonfire. You cant use that kind of power and passing play away unscathed.I appreciate the warning, Gandalf, but I dont know that I have a preference.I guess not. I just dont want to see you chan ged, thats all. I like you the way you are. A smile flickered across his lips and wherefore faded. And as for working with Dorianwell, that just makes the situation worse.You sound jealous.Of course. He answered without hesitation, not really ashamed to fess up to his feelings. But hes power-hungry too. And he wants to see the Storm King supremacy overtake. Somehow I doubt hell be content to have you be his pretend-lover for long.Well, hey, remember Ive got a choice in there too. Besides, contraceptive technology is a wonderful thing, right?Absolutely. But Maiwenn says I know, I know. All pick outs of wise and compelling things.Kiyo eyed me warily. Whats that supposed to mean?nothing. Just that I think its fishy for you to blab out to me about Dorian when When what?I set down my cup of coffee and looked him in the eye. honestness again?He returned my stare unblinkingly. Always.You two seemedmore than chummy. Is there anything going on betwixt you? Romantically, I mean?No. The answer came swift and certain.I reconsidered. Was there anything going on?This got a hesitation. Not anymore, he said after a moment.I see. I looked away and felt my own flutter of jealousy run through me as my cruel mind pictured him and that beautiful woman together.Its over, Eugenie. Has been for a while. Were just friends now, thats it.I glanced up. Like you and I are friends?His lips turned up wickedly, and I saw the temperature in his eyes dial up a few degrees. You can call it whatever you want, but I think we both know we arent just friends.No, I supposed not. And suddenly, after so much time with him and the fact that Id made out with a full-fledged gentry, Kiyo being a kitsune wasnt really a chore anymore. The lines that organized my life had all blurred. That scared me because I wanted Kiyo, and suddenly I had no excuses stand in my way. And honestly, I realized, it was a lot easier having excuses. Excuses meant you didnt have to work or open yourself to someone else and be vulnerable. If I really wanted to be near and with Kiyo now, I was going to have to look beyond sex. Sex was calorie-free especially with him. What was going to be problematical was remembering how to get close to someone and trust him.I looked away, not wanting him to see the fear on my face, but he already had. I dont know what it was about him, but sometimes he seemed to know me better than I knew myself.He stood up and moved behind me, his work force kneading the kinks in my neck and shoulders. Eugenie, was all he said, voice warm.I relaxed into him and closed my eyes. I dont know how to do this. I referred to him and me, but considering the rest of my life, that statement could have employ to any number of things.Well, we stop fighting, for one. Lets drop this other stuff and go out.Now? Like on a date?Sure.Just like that? Is it that easy?For now. And really, its only as easy or hard as we choose to make it.We took Kiyos car, a pretty sweet 1969 Spider, to one of my favorite restaurants Indian culinary art of India. The name sounded redundant, but the latter part of it had been a necessary addition. Considering all the local restaurants that served Southwest and American Indian cuisine, a lot of tourists had bang in expecting to find Navajo fry bread, not curry and naan.The tightness melted between us the hostile kind, at least though he did have one pensive moment in which he asked, All right, I have to know. Is it true you kissed him?I smiled enigmatically. This is as easy or hard as we choose to make it.He sighed.After dinner, he drove chisel us out of town but wouldnt say where we were going. virtually forty minutes later, we were driving up and around a large hill. Kiyo found an area with other cars but saw there were no spots left, forcing him to drive back down and park a considerable distance away. Twilight was giving way to full night, and it was hard to find the highway up the hill with no lighting. He slipped his hand i n mine, guiding me. His fingers were warm, his clutch bag tight and secure.It took us almost a half hour, walking until the path finally crested to a small clearing. I hid my astonishment. It was filled with people, most of whom were setting up telescopes and peering up at the clear, star-thickened sky.I saw this advertised in the paper, Kiyo explained. Its the amateur astronomy group. They let the public come out and hang with them.Sure copious, everyone there was more than happy to let us come and look through their telescopes. They pointed out sights of particular interest and told stories about constellations. Id heard a lot of them before but enjoyed hearing them again.The weather was perfect for this kind of thing. Warm enough to not withdraw jackets (though I sedate wore one to hide weapons) and so perfectly clear that you could forget pollution existed. The Flandrau Observatory, over at the university, had savage shows, but I loved the casual nature of this one.While li stening to an older man talk about the Andromeda galaxy, I thought about just how vast our existence really was. in that location was so much of it we didnt know about. The outer world, the universe, spread on forever. For all I knew, the inner world of notions continued on just as far. I only knew about three worlds the world we lived in, the world the dead lived in, and the Otherworld, which caught everything in between. A lot of shamans believed the divine world was beyond all of this, a world of God or gods we couldnt even imagine. Looking up at that snowstorm of stars, I suddenly felt very small in the greater scheme of things, prophecy or no.Kiyo shifted beside me, and I felt his arm brush mine. My body kept an exact record of where we touched, like some distinguish of military tracking system. He caught my eye, and we smiled at each other. I felt at peace, almost deliriously happy. For this moment, all was right in the world between us. Maybe Id never fully understand wha t displaceed two people together. Maybe it was like trying to comprehend the universe. You couldnt measure any of it. It just was, and you made your way through it as best you could.Thank you, I told him later, as we walked back down the hill toward the car. That was really great.I saw the telescope at your house er, what was left of it anyway.Oh. Yeah. Being up here had sort of taken me away from reality. Id forgotten that my home was in a state of disaster. Mine couldnt really study to any of these. Maybe Ill have to upgrade now.We passed the other cars and finally finished the long trek back out to his car. The temperature had cooled down a little, but it was still nice out. Kiyo wrinkled his nose as we walked.Smells likedead fish out here.I inhaled deeply. I dont smell anything.Consider yourself lucky. You probably couldnt smell how some people hadnt showered back there either.I laughed. I remember how you smelled my perfume back in the saloon that night. I thought it was c razy. So super-smell is another kitsune perk?He shook his head. Depends on what youre smelling.We got into the car. He trigger offed to put the keys in the ignition, then decided he wanted his coat.Can you reach it? Its behind my seat.I undecided my bash and shifted around, practically hanging through the seats to reach his coat. It was crumpled and lying on the floor.Jesus, I heard him say.Are you staring at my ass?Its practically in my face.I snagged the troublesome coat and leaned back, but his arm caught me and pulled me onto his lap. It twisted me in an awkward position, and I squirmed to straighten out my legs. I finally ended up sort of straddling him.I cant believe you lectured me earlier about the dangers of losing control, I chastised. His hands had slid down to the ass he so admired.What was I supposed to do?Hey, Im not complaining. Just surprised, thats all.I think its the fox in me.Never heard that excuse before.No, its true. Youd be amazed how simple the instincts a re and how strong. sometimes I have to fight to not jump every woman I see. And then I always want to eat. Like I have this paranoid fear if I dont stock up now, I could be starving later when winter comes. Its really weird.It was compelling too, but wrapped up against him, I realized this conversation was wasting perfectly good make-out time. I unfastened his seat belt and then put my hands palm down on his chest. Leaning forward, I kissed him, pushing myself harder into his lap. His grip on me tightened.I thought you didnt want to get involved with a kitsune.WellI happen to think foxes are cute.I wriggled out of my coat and then pulled off the tank top underneath, neither of which was easy to do with the steering wheel behind me. I rose up on my knees a little, putting my breasts near his face. His mouth showered my cleavage with kisses while his hands tried to undo the bra.Meanwhile, my own hands unfastened the button on his pants. I reached down and slid my hand into his boxers .Eugenie he breathed. He managed to combine a cautionary tone with an utterly turned-on one. We dont have condoms.I moved my hand farther, suddenly very turned on myself by the thought of having nothing between us. The pill, remember? Besides, contraceptive technology is a The car suddenly lurched dangerously onto the side we werent sitting on. My back jammed into the steering wheel, and we half-tumbled onto the other side. Kiyos arms went around me, pulling me toward him in an effort to shelter me with his body and keep me from fall. Guess I shouldnt have unstuck his seat belt earlier. Fortunately, the car didnt flip all the way over, and a moment later, it slammed back down on the side we were sitting on with a jaw-rattling crash.What the I began.In the dark, I could just nevertheless discern Kiyos wide eyes staring beyond me, through the windshield. I think we should get out of the car, he said quietly, just as something heavy and solid slammed down on the hood behind me. I heard headlights smash. The entire car shook.I didnt need to be told twice. We kicked open the drivers side door, and I scrambled out. A smell like rotting fish slammed into me. Kiyo started to follow me out, and then the car was displace up from its front end and slammed back down to the ground. Glass and metal crunched as the motion tossed Kiyo back in the car. The windshield cracked like a spiders web.Fear for him shot through me, but then I finally saw the culprit, and fear for me shot through me.It looked like one of the fuaths, I thought. A fachan, possibly. If so, he was far from home since they were native to Ireland and Scotland. Still, the Otherworld had become as global as the human world, and you never really knew what could pop up where.He looked like something you might get if Bigfoot had sex with a cyclops and then their offspring moved to the Deep South and interbred for another century or so. He was almost eight feet tall and every part of his grossly muscled bod y was covered with hair tangle and smelly hair that needed a thorough washing. One giant eye, its color indeterminable in the starlight, peered out at me. One extra hand extended weirdly from the right side of its chest, and an extra leg hung off of its hip. The leg didnt seem to overhaul him walk I wondered if it and the extra arm did anything at all or were just used for effect.Seeing me, he left the car alone and started gravid forward. Hopefully Kiyo would be able to get out now. I reached for my gun and discovered it was gone. Son of a bitch. It had slipped its holster either from grappling with Kiyo or when the car had tipped.Get my gun out I yelled back toward the car.Meanwhile, I took a few cautious steps back, assessing how to handle the fachan. Fachans, despite inhabiting the earth, originated in the Otherworld. They could therefore be banished back there. They also crossed to this world in a physical form, which meant they could be killed. I had both athames in my bel t. Silver would be more effective, but iron would probably do some distress too. Okay. I just had to manage one of those while keeping it from acquiring too fresh with me. No problem.He swung one of his long, almost awkward-looking arms at me, and I intercepted it, stabbing him in the hand with the currency athame. I pushed as hard as I could, shoving through tendons and bones. The creature shrieked and jerked his hand back. My hand was on the hilt, but he moved too quickly, too strongly. He took the athame with him. Shit.Kiyo I yelled.I took out the iron athame and darted over to his right side, opposite the car. The fachan was bigger, but I was smaller and therefore fasterright? My blade snaked out, digging deep into the soft flesh of his stomach. This time I made sure to kick in the athame back with me before he moved and took this one too. Blood, looking sear in the dim lighting, gleamed where Id cut. I put some distance between us. I just needed to slow him so I could snag a few moments for the banishing.But he wasnt slowing. He hadnt seemed happy about the injuries, but he still kept coming for me. I kept the distance between us, wanting to injure him without getting within his range. It was kind of hard when it felt like his arms were as long as my body.He swung out his uninjured fist, and I ducked it, using the opportunity to draw blood again. As I did, something occurred to me. His blow, had it landed, would have done some serious damage. Very serious. It had had no purpose, save to inflict as much living creature pain as possible. I could understand the tactical advantage of rendering me unconscious before sex, but being in a coma or dead might complicate the prophecy a bit.My blade bit into him again, and I followed with a sharp kick to his side, dodging at the last minute. We shortly developed a little dance. His large, muscled arms would swing out at me, and I would sidestep and get in my slash or kick. Considering my fight with the mud el emental had been two days ago and I wasnt entirely in peak condition yet, I felt my performance here wasnt too shabby.At least until I moved too slowly, and he caught me with the edge of his hand his extra hand. Apparently it wasnt fruitless after all.It was a glancing blow, but I flew backward, into the car, up onto the roof, and into the windshield. The glass already cracked and fractured shattered upon impact, and sharp, pain pain burned through the side of my stomach as I hit. The skin there was still bare and uncovered from where Id stripped in the car. My head felt like a cartoon quality had just dropped an anvil on it, and for a few seconds, I couldnt get my body to do the things I wanted it to do.The fachan lurched toward me, his limbs and their bulging muscles swinging, and I didnt have anywhere to go. He grabbed me by my shoulders and lifted me up high. I knew in those slow-motion seconds that he was going to slam me down and that I would be dead. As it was, the jerk ing, lifting motion alone made my addled brain scream.Suddenly, the fachans head tipped back, and a look of agony crossed his face. His hold on me released, and I dropped back to the hood. It was much less painful than what hed been about to do, but it still hurt. I frantically tried to sit up and see what had happened, but everything spun.Some wolf was attacking the fachan. No, no wolf. The colors and shape werent quite right. The ears were more defined, the tail haughty and white-tipped. It was a fox. It was Kiyo. But he was bigger than Id ever seen him, which was wherefore Id mistaken him for a wolf. He was huge, muscled and powerful, and his teeth were tearing into the fachans back.The fachan turned and swatted him away. Kiyo took it with grace hitting, rolling, and then getting right back up. I wished I could do that.I still felt like crap, but my vision had righted itself. Peering into the car, I could see where my gun had rolled across the rider seat and lodged between it an d the door. Beyond me, I heard blows and yips as Kiyo and the fachan continued their fight.Gingerly, I started crawling back into the car on all fours, careful to avoid the shards of glass ringing the gaping remains of the windshield. I didnt do a very good job and brushed sharp points in a few places. They vexed my skin. Worse, I could do little to protect my hands when forced to creep over the broken shards covering the dashboard.At last I made it inside and retrieved the gun. Grabbing it, I worked my way back to the drivers side seat and took aim at the fachan still grappling with Kiyo. Only, my hand could barely hold the gun up. That was no good. I shifted and held the Glock two-handed. My arms still shook, but I was steadier now.I watched them pace and attack each other, moving fast. likewise fast, I worried. I was likely to shoot Kiyo in the process. But I had to try. Nothing was hurting this thing. It was unstoppable. I didnt want to try to banish it at full strength, parti cularly since Id never get close enough to put the death symbol on him and speed his passage. I therefore needed him wounded and easy to send over.Taking aim, I waited for a window of opportunity, for a broad target on the fachan. There. The biff bit into his back, and he jerked in surprise. It slowed him just enough. I fired again. I kept firing until Id discharge the entire clip into him. He made horrible noises and staggered slightly. I half-expected him to keep coming, but then Kiyo the lusus naturae Fox leaped at his chest and knocked him to the ground, teeth tearing into what appeared to be the fachans throat. Ew.My wand was in the car. I swapped it with the gun, and called upon Hecate, pore on the snake wound around my arm. My mind slipped this world, opening the gates, and I aimed for the fachans spirit. My will, pouring through the wand, seized him and ripped a hole between the Otherworld and my world. It was harder than usual. Mind over matter might be the adage, but th e mind was loth to obey when the body was so weakened and had had its head slammed into a windshield.My path to the Otherworld was clear. But then, seeing him start to get up, despite Kiyos mauling, I decided I didnt want him potentially coming back. So I pushed my mind past the Otherworld, brushing the gates of the world of death instead. I felt Persephones butterfly twinkling on my arm as I connected with her domain. The fachan roared as it recognized the tug. He resisted me, his body and spirit presenting a formidable match for my own.I focused harder, pushing every ounce of me into forcing him through the black gates. I called on no, I begged Persephone to take him.At last he went through, his physical body disintegrating as the Underworld sucked his spirit through.Only it was pulling more than him through.Id pushed so hard that my spirit had touched more of the world of death than I normally allowed. In my weakened state, my focus wasnt as sharp about keeping me out. My min d felt like it was being sucked in by a whirlwind, and I had the impression of ghostly, skeletal hands pulling at me.No, no, no, no Whether the words were in my head or on my lips, I didnt know.I struggled against the hands, trying to gain a grip on the human world. I would have even settled for the Otherworld. There I could survive, but from the world of death, there was no return. Half of me prayed to Hecate to pull me back through the gates while the other half of me prayed to Persephone to block me out.At last I fell back with a snap, my spirit returning firmly to my physical body. My physical and mental senses burned. Almost immediately, I slumped forward, unable to support myself. Only my hand on the edge of the steering wheel caught me from falling out of the car.I felt nauseated and dizzy, with too many parts of me hurting to count. Kiyo, still as that giant fox, stood by me, gleaming eyes watching me with all seriousness.Hey, I said, reaching out a tentative hand. His fur w as as soft as silk. I stroked it carefully, my motor control still not all it could be. Those fine hairs touched my skin like the lightest of kisses. That was some trick. Howd you do it?He neither answered nor changed shape, besides nuzzling my hand with his nose. I smiled but then felt too tired to keep holding my arm up. I dropped the hand to my side, feeling something wet and sticky. Pulling my arm up, I saw blood covering my fingers, dark and glistening.Oh, man, I muttered. The world had started spinning again black spots danced in front of me. We need togosomewhere. Do something. Change back I cant drive.He kept watching me, eyes horrible and intent.I mean it. why arent you changing? Are you hurt?He rested his chin on my knees, and I petted him again, even though I got blood on that gleaming fur. I didnt get why he wasnt changing. Could he not hear me in this form? No, hed always understood before.Well, if he wasnt going to help, I needed someone who could. I had a cell phone in the car somewhere. I could call Roland or Tim. But where was the phone? I couldnt climb in the backseat, not in this shape. Could foxes incur?Maybe I could summon a spirit for help. Not Volusian, not like this. But possibly Finn? What were the words? How did I call him? It was suddenly too hard to think.Help me I whispered to Kiyo. Why wont you help me?White spots now danced with the black ones. I closed my eyes, and it felt better.Im going to lie down, I told him, stretching back. Just for a minute, okay? I rested my head on the passenger seat, lying perpendicular to the seats.I heard a soft, almost doglike screech. He must have stood on his hind legs, because I next felt paws and a head resting near my knee.Why wont you help me? I asked again, feeling tears spill out of my eyes. I need you.I heard the whine again, mournful and contrite. My hand reached out, grasping for soft fur. I clutched the strands as though they alone could keep me alive. Then, my fingers muddled thei r grip and slipped away as my hand dropped.

Nordstrom

Nordstroms problems Nordstrom is a classic flake of how perplex and harmful the business becomes if a organisation is non properly designed or implemented. Nordstroms intentions were actually well when they launched their customized piece rate compensation technique called Sales Per Hour (SPH) for the first metre in the sell industry. Their plan was to motivate all the sale employees to think and act outside the box and assimilate dire customer satisfaction thus augmenting the gross revenue.Their intentions were good notwithstanding they havent really expect the problems that they face up due to this idea, thus failed to create a placement which was fool-proof and awarding for the employees. For example, the SPH system was set such(prenominal) that the employee with high SPH gets compensation more than than than the one with lesser SPH. But it doesnt account for the quality of resolve do in order to create that particular sale. What if a customer worked more hours to generate lesser buck amount to satisfy the customer?Does that mean that the gross sales clerk deserves less money than soulfulness who does a less intense work to create more SPH? The fine line between sell time and non-selling time was not properly documented or practiced, which in a way brought the ideal system down. Nordstroms management always were on a single loop larn procedure of reacting gibe to that particular situation and focused on the motivation aspect of the employees to enhance their sales alone never concentrated in a double loop learning process of how things can be modify or what might go wrong with this idea etc.If they had implemented the double loop learning and be more proactive in extrapolating the glitches of the system, they would never have ended in a bearing the like the one the exercise mentions about. Nordstrom had used the expectancy theory of motivation for compensating their employees. When a sales clerk join Nordstrom, he/she expec ted that they first will be valued and also will be salaried for their performance which is directly tied to rewards and reinforcers.This system proved to be fatal for Nordstrom. One more problem with the system failing is the decentralized process created within Nordstrom which never allowed good supervision of the employees and the sales clerks from the managerial side. A decentralized system has advantages of increased creativity, better communication and more efficient environment but suffers from lack of co-ordination and supervision between different departments thus creating silos within the work environment.This exactly was the case in Nordstrom where managers never realized the failure of the system and the issues of the sales clerks with the SPH system until it got nasty. Having said that, Nordstroms SPH system succeeded for a long time by motivating employees to give their hundred percent and generate more sales thus creating a name for themselves. Nordstroms culture al so included punishment and reinforcement when the case mentioned that if an employee has lesser SPH, he/she served decreased hours or possibly was terminated.This brings all the employees into a vulnerable republic where they cannot fork over their best. It also creates an unhealthy competition among the employees and they work against each other rather than working unneurotic towards a common goal. All systems, not matter how big they are, fall at some stop consonant if not properly designed or implemented like a small crack in the jetty can dilapidate the entire house. Alas, that was the case for Nordstrom.NordstromNordstroms problems Nordstrom is a classic case of how complicated and counterproductive the business becomes if a system is not properly designed or implemented. Nordstroms intentions were very good when they launched their customized piece rate compensation technique called Sales Per Hour (SPH) for the first time in the retail industry. Their plan was to motivate all the sale employees to think and act outside the box and earn tremendous customer satisfaction thus augmenting the sales.Their intentions were good but they havent really anticipated the problems that they faced due to this idea, thus failed to create a system which was fool-proof and awarding for the employees. For example, the SPH system was set such that the employee with higher SPH gets compensation more than the one with lesser SPH. But it doesnt account for the quality of work done in order to create that particular sale. What if a customer worked more hours to generate lesser dollar amount to satisfy the customer?Does that mean that the sales clerk deserves less money than someone who does a less intense work to create more SPH? The fine line between selling time and non-selling time was not properly documented or practiced, which in a way brought the entire system down. Nordstroms management always were on a single loop learning process of reacting according to that part icular situation and focused on the motivation aspect of the employees to enhance their sales but never concentrated in a double loop learning process of how things can be improved or what might go wrong with this idea etc.If they had implemented the double loop learning and be more proactive in extrapolating the glitches of the system, they would never have ended in a position like the one the case mentions about. Nordstrom had used the expectancy theory of motivation for compensating their employees. When a sales clerk joined Nordstrom, he/she expected that they first will be valued and also will be compensated for their performance which is directly tied to rewards and reinforcements.This system proved to be fatal for Nordstrom. One more problem with the system failing is the decentralized process created within Nordstrom which never allowed good supervision of the employees and the sales clerks from the managerial side. A decentralized system has advantages of increased creativi ty, better communication and more efficient environment but suffers from lack of co-ordination and supervision between different departments thus creating silos within the work environment.This exactly was the case in Nordstrom where managers never realized the failure of the system and the issues of the sales clerks with the SPH system until it got nasty. Having said that, Nordstroms SPH system succeeded for a long time by motivating employees to give their hundred percent and generate more sales thus creating a name for themselves. Nordstroms culture also included punishment and reinforcement when the case mentioned that if an employee has lesser SPH, he/she served decreased hours or possibly was terminated.This brings all the employees into a vulnerable state where they cannot deliver their best. It also creates an unhealthy competition among the employees and they work against each other rather than working together towards a common goal. All systems, not matter how big they are , fall at some point if not properly designed or implemented like a small crack in the wall can dilapidate the entire house. Alas, that was the case for Nordstrom.

Proposed Mexican Business Essay

A employment plan is truly important guide that directs the management of the business or organization towards achieving its goals. Analysis of the marketplace in which a business is venturing is in truth essential. This gives a clear picture of the absolute market that the business is getting into. This topic will look at the economic, demographic and socio-economic details of each major state in Mexico.This make-up will further go ahead to explain both the foreign and the foreign and the home(prenominal) banks that argon operating in Mexico. This paper alike includes detailed ideas about recruitment of employees in Mexico. Finally it gives huge information about the American companies that ar operating in Mexico.Mexico is known to be a primitive republic federally base in North America. It is bordered on the northern side by United States. The North Pacific Ocean borders this republic on the south and the western sides. Mexico is highly referred to as the United Mex ico States. The Caribbean Sea is precise visible on the southeast part of Mexico. It consists of many states which are xxx one in number. Mexico city is known to be one of the most populated cities in the world. (Crandall, 2004)Mexico as earlier on illustrated has got approximately cardinal one states. They include Sonora, Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tomaulipas, Durango, Baja California Sur, Chiapas, Guerrero, Jalisco, Nayarit, SLP, Oaxaca, Campeche and Vera Cruz among former(a)s. These Mexican states are also divided into different municipalities. In the year 1900, the population in Mexico was approximately 13.6 million.The demographics of Mexican states are as follows. Michoacan state is known to have the lowest population growth. Quintana Roo has the highest population growth rate. These two states are the least populated. Baja California has Sur and Baja California has the highest migration rate. Below are the demographics by city and state.Rank Core C ity State Pop Rank Core City State Pop 1 Mexico City DF 19,231,829 11 Queretaro QT 918,1002 Guadalajara JA 4,095,853 12 Merida YU 897,7403 Monterrey NL 3,664,331 13 Mexicali BC 855,9624 Puebla PB 2,109,049 14 Aguascalientes AC 805,6665 Toluca ME 1,610,786 15 Tampico TM 803,1966 Tijuana BC 1,483,992 16 Culiacan SI 793,7307 Leon GT 1,425,210 17 Cuernavaca MO 787,5568 Juarez CH 1,313,338 18 Acapulco GR 786,8309 Torreon CO 1,110,890 19 Chihuahua CH 784,88210 San Luis Potosi SL 957,753 20 Morelia MI 735,624The preservation in this terra firma is firmly established. It is known to be the worlds 12th largest in line with its economy. This is according to gross domestic product and PPP. This kingdom has an economy that is highly diversified. The infrastructure is quite developed in terms of telecommunications, airports, distribution of gas, railroads and seaports among other areas. (Denizer, 1997)The socio-economics data reveals that the population in this nation that is in extreme poverty has tremendously decreased from xx four point one percent to approximately sixteen point nine percent. This is according to the existence commit. It is however truly evident that there are huge disparities in the incomes of the poor and the wealthy in the nation. in that respect are also remarkable differences between the south and the northern areas of Mexico. These differences still exist amongst the urban and the rural areas. The contrasts are quite sharp in relation to human development and income levels. These issues still take a breather to be quite problematic in Mexico.Poverty has been reduced in Mexico through the increase in the marrow class purchasing power. The inflation in Mexico is as low as 3.3%. This has resulted in middle class mickle in this nation having a credit consumption that is quite high. There is keen stability in the nation in terms of monetary terms.Through remittances from citi zens in Mexico, poverty has been greatly alleviated. The infrastructure in Mexico is quite developed and this makes it actually easy to carry out business in this republic. This is in terms of the road network. Chiapas State in Mexico is very developed in terms of the infrastructure.There are both foreign and domestic banks in Mexico. Research shows that Mexico allowed foreign banks to open up branches therein. This was do easy through foreign acquisitions of the various domestic banks in Mexico. It is very clear that foreign banks in Mexico are more profitable when compared to the domestic banks in Mexico.This shows that foreign banks have had positive impacts on the entire banking sector. Citibank is one of the foreign banks that started operating in Mexico in the year 1994. This bank is U.S based. This was through the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (Houghton, 1999)Other foreign banks that are operating in Mexico include Scotiabank, HSBC, Banco Santander and BBVA. Banco Santander is based in Spain, Scotiabank is in Canada, and HSBC is in U.K while BBVA is in Spain. Among the domestic banks include Banco de Azteca. The other prominent domestic bank that is operating in Mexico is called Barnote. It is highly known even among the locals for its excellent services.Recruitment is a very essential part of organizational management. This is due to the fact that this process enables an organization to get qualified professionals that are quite competent in carrying out the tasks assigned to them. Critical analysis of the entire business sector shows the way it carries out this important task.Looking at most of the organizations in Mexico, they carry out recruitment process through advertising of the vacant posts. Many organizations advertise in their Company websites, they also home advertisements in newspapers and sometimes over the radio. The management clearly indicates the desired qualifications of potential employees. Interested candidates then enrapture their particulars (these are the cover letter and C.V) to the organization all by post or by electronic media. The application letters and C.Vs are then analyzed and the qualified candidates are then short listed.These are then communicated to such that they attend an oral or written interview depending on the organization. Some organizations do both methods. Some organizations carry out one and others two interviews with the potential candidates. Those who pass the interviews are either communicated to trough post or through telephone.The qualified candidates are then incorporated into the organization where they go through training or induction in relation to their work or job profile. totally these normally result in organizations having qualified employees. This process is carried out by the management team in organizations in Mexico without favoritism.There are different American Companies that are operating in Mexico. Most of these Companies are very successful. Amongst the American Companies that are successfully operating in Mexico include Diners Club, Master Card and American Express Bank. These Companies are well known in the Mexican majority rule and their profit margins are very high. Research shows that there are very many factors that have made American Companies operating in Mexico to be successful. (Houghton, 1999)One of the major factors that have made these Companies to be successful is the NAFTA initiative. Through this it has become very easy for the American based Companies to start up branches in Mexico. The management in these Companies is very sound. This is coach in mind that these organizations have been in existence for some time.There are various strategies that the American companies that are based in Mexico put on. These strategies include marketing both through online and offline means. The online means that are highly used by these successful Companies include the use of internet advertising.Before these organi zations or Companies start up their branches in Mexico, they normally carry out adequate research. This is in relation to the competitor companies in the market and their prices. Through this they then strategize by carrying out product differentiation and this enables them to have a place in the market.Among the strategies that that American Companies that are based in Mexico employ include PESTLE analysis and SWOT analysis. In the PESTLE analysis they consider the political, Economic, Social, Technical and legal factors that would affect the business. With this information at roll, the Companies succeed very easily.Another strategy that is incorporated is ensuring that most of the employees in the Companies are citizens of Mexico. Through this, they find favor with the people and therefore market penetration becomes easy since the people identify with the organizations. The Companies are known to get abstruse in corporate social responsibilities in Mexico. (Robert, 2006)This giv es the Company better standing in the Mexican Republic and therefore enhances their overall success. Most of the American based Companies that are operating in Mexico normally use their manufactured products to test the market before they open up branches in Mexico. This becomes very easy for the Companies to take more customers in the long run. (Krauze, 1998)In conclusion, a business plan clearly gives a business the required guidelines. Mexico is a republic that is found in North America. There are approximately thirty one states in Mexico. The demographics of this nation reveal that the urban states are highly populated compared to the rural towns. The economy of Mexico is very stable and well established. In fact it is known to be the 12th wealthy nation worldwide. The socio-economics of this nation shows that there are high disparities between the rich and the poor.The infrastructure on the other hand is very well developed. This is in terms of telecommunications, road network and information technology network. There are both domestic and foreign banks in Mexico. The foreign banks include Scotia bank, HSBC, Banco Santander and BBVA.Domestic banks include Banco de Azteca and Barnote. Successful American Companies operating in Mexico include American Express, Diners Club and Master Card. They ensure that they carry out all-embracing marketing analysis before opening branches in Mexico. This enables them to succeed.ReferenceCrandall, R. (2004) Mexicos Domestic Economy polity Options and Choices Mexicos Democracy at Work New York Lynne Reinner PublishersDenizer, C. (1997) The Effects of Financial Liberalization and New Bank Entry on Market Structure and Competition in Turkey New York Melbourne opposeHoughton, M. (1999) Mexico in Perspective 3rd edition New York McGraw HillKrauze, E. (1998) Mexico Biography of Power Modern Mexico 1996- 2007 New York Melbourne PressRobert, C. (2006) Foreign Bank Entry Experience Implications for Developing Economies New Yo rk Free Press