Here's another one from my earlier memories about Mark. This would have been around 2010 or so, as Windows 7 was recently released and the company was upgrading and replacing PCs, removing Windows Vista from the environment. Mark (obviously not his real name) requested we order new PCs for one department of I believe five people. PC quantities quoted, approved (by Mark), ordered, delivered, and installation coordinated, I go on-site and begin the process of replacing them. Really routine stuff so far.

After finishing the second or so new PC, as I recall it was late morning when Mark happens to walk by, sees the changes, points to the desk where I was just starting and says, "Not one for her."

He was pointing to "Sarah's" desk, where I had just shut down her old PC.

Sarah was still sitting there near me, waiting for when she needed to sign into her new PC, and I'm sure was caught off-guard. She expressed she thought everyone in the department was getting new PCs, her included. At this point, any other commotion in the room stopped and everyone turned to witness the denial.

"Yeah, not today," Mark replied. "Box it up; hook the old one up." No sooner had he said things he left and went on his way.

I remember turning to Sarah and said "I'm sorry...he approved the quote that included yours." She didn't say anything and just walked out into the hall. I also remember feeling really, really bad and probably flushed; even though it was Mark's call who got a new PC or who didn't, I felt like I alone was denying Sarah her upgrade.

Since it was lunchtime, Sarah seemed to leave for lunch. I hooked her existing PC back up, made sure it worked fine, and moved on to the next person's new PC to set up. Sarah never came back that day after lunch; she did come back the next day though. I lost track and am not sure how much longer she stayed with Mark's company, but that PC did get replaced eventually.