25.5.2009
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The day after Director Stein returned from a successful trade exhibition in Tokyo, a long interview with him appeared in the daily newspaper, Morgunbladid. The interview revealed that the Director had signed one of the biggest private agreements ever made in the country. The news, which filled a double-page spread, included a large picture of the Director signing the agreement along with some Japanese merchants and representatives from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. This was good news.
A few days later an even bigger news item was published in Helgarposturinn, the biggest gossip tabloid in the country. This was, on the other hand, bad news for the Director of the Reykjavik Iron Smithy, and for Sigrid, his wife, it was simply a disaster.
What was most sensational about the article in Helgarposturinn was not the text, but the pictures. The largest picture was actually in full color across the front page. The caption read: "Director and personal secretary sell like hell." The picture showed Director Stein kissing his personal secretary Sigurfljod Elisabeth Riis, a.k.a. Bertha. Also in the picture was a group of formally dressed merchants raising champagne glasses in a toast. Inside the paper was a long article with some pictures of the Director and the personal secretary. There was also an interview with Bertha where she was asked about the Director's talents?business and otherwise. The interview with Bertha, which was done over the phone right after her arrival from Japan, contained, in part, the following:
"And if we turn to the Director, as a man, as an individual, what comes first to mind?"
"He has great character, and it's good to work under him."
"Do you think he's a hard worker."
"He's a great gentleman and works purposefully."
"Do you two ever discuss things other than those relevant to work?"
"Oh, yes. Director Stein is interested in anything having to do with people."
"Are you married?"
"No, and I have no immediate plans to marry."
"Do you find working with Director Stein fulfilling."
"Oh, yes."
The main thrust of the newspaper's article was to reveal that one of the city's most distinguished directors was having an affair with his secretary.
Director Stein and Bertha sat in the office and read. Stein was nervous, and Bertha was blushing and perspiring all over. When she started to make some comment, Director Stein told her to wait; he wanted to finish the whole article.
When he finished reading, they were both down in the dumps. Director Stein was more amazed than mad, but Bertha was paralyzed with deep-felt hatred.
"This interview with me is so despicable that there aren't words to describe it. The sentences are edited and new words put in to make it all so horrible and suspicious."
"They are animals," said the Director, "and people read this."
"Isn't it possible to sue these wretches?"
"Yes, undoubtedly, but it isn't certain that our reputations would be cleared. It's possible to sentence men to death, but it isn't possible to sentence them back to life."
They sat there in the office and talked.
"This is just lies, all of it. How is it possible to make up such stories?" said Bertha, looking at the Director.
"Perhaps we haven't been prudent, even though we've done nothing. It's true that our relationship has been close and personal. We've discussed life and various problems that are unrelated to work. You know that Bertha."
She looked at her superior: "Do you think this will hurt the company?"
"No, it certainly will do the company no harm; it could even increase business." He smiled at her: "Perhaps our work has become too personal."
She looked at him. "Perhaps you want me to quit?"
He stood up: "Put that out of your mind. That would make things worse." He smiled at her: "And I would not want to lose you under any circumstances. We have a lot left to do."