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Keith was a middle-aged middle-executive, who worked in the middle office of his firm. This morning he paced his floor up and down in a frenzy, holding a cell phone against his ear.

"We're holding a meeting today," Keith said excitedly. "Word is someone's getting promoted."

"Oh, honey," his wife replied over the line. "Good luck! You've worked so hard for so long."

Unconsciously, Keith glanced at his window and looked over his reflection. His black hair was peppered with silver.

"Weisner likes to promote guys who put in their time and experience," Keith said. "I'm feeling good about it."

At noon, Keith and three other executives gathered in the conference room. One man was gray and burned out. Another man looked quite a bit like Keith: tired, but hopeful. The youngest of the group- bless or curse his soul- wore bright eyes and a bushy tail.

Weisner walked in last. He sat at the end of the table and folded his hands together. Not a man to cross.

"First," Weisner began, "I'd like to congratulate the four of you for acquiring our latest account." They each thanked him quietly, playing down the victory. "Second, as you know, this division is expanding and I need a steady hand and a level head to guide the crew."

At that, everyone sat up straighter.

"I think, given the way the market is changing, we need someone innovative, savvy, and confident." Keith felt his heart stop when Weisner looked in his direction, but then felt his stomach plummet as his employer looked passed him and at the man beside him. "That is why," Weisner went on, "I think Andrew is best suited for the job."

No one at the table could believe it, least of all Andrew- the youngest and brightest.

Stricken, Keith couldn't hear a word as forced ‘congrats' and enthusiastic ‘thank yous' were exchanged.

When lunch break came, Keith found himself sulking in the kitchen, absently nursing a cold cup of coffee.

"Doubt that coffee is gonna be much good."

Startled, Keith looked up and saw Vinny, the maintenance guy. Vinny crouched before the open cupboards beneath the sink, fixing a leak with a wrench.

"Been sitting in your hand a while," Vinny explains.

Keith glanced at his cup. "Couldn't find any straws to hold onto."

"That kind of day, huh?"

Rubbing his eyes, Keith tossed the coffee in the trash. "I've been at this company over a decade. Haven't moved up since I reached mid-level. I don't know what to do with myself."

Vinny snorted. "You can climb down."

"Then what?"

The maintenance man shrugged. "I dunno. Up to you."

And with that, Vinny grabbed his tools and walked out.

Keith returned to his office, but couldn't sit still. In an effort to calm himself, he stood and gazed out his window. Outside and far beneath him, there was an orange grove across the street. There, Keith saw a man standing on a ladder by one of the trees.

The man stood at the very top, and yet couldn't reach the orange in the tree. Giving up, the man climbed down the ladder, and took the ladder to another tree. There, the man tried again, and this time he managed to seize the plump, ripe fruit.

And then, Keith smiled.

Weisner wasn't expecting a knock on his door, and didn't look up when he said: "Come in."

Keith stepped across the threshold. When he still hadn't spoken, Weisner looked up and over the files he had been reviewing. "Keith?"

"I'm moving on."

It took a moment for Weisner to absorb this. He examined Keith, then slowly nodded. That's it. That's all. Keith turned around and walked out- straighter, calmer, and braver.