Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 01:41:26 +0000 (GMT)
From: Lidyah Khan <lidyah17@yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: The Ugly Duckling: Prologue

"He's ugly!" quacked the other ducklings. "He doesn't look a bit like us.
We don't want to play with him." And they waddled down to the pond with
their mother behind them. She shoved them in and jumped in after them. They
all swam beautifully.

				     *

My name is Jordan Smith, I'm twenty-seven years old and I work at Computer
Inc designing computer programmes. I am the best programmer in the place
and most of my codes get bought and sold. I graduated from Harvard
University, with my degree. I got this job at the young age of twenty-one,
and I shot up to the top ladder, being the smartest man in the company.

Yet no one knows my name.

I'm five foot eleven, brown hair, green eyes which are hidden behind my
thick blue rimmed glasses. My faces is dotted with acne that has refused to
leave me since I was sixteen. I weigh more than I would like to even
imagine, just say I need to loose a lot of weight. My dress sense is dire,
I have no fashion sense what so ever. I own four brown suits which I have
worn for the last four years.

I am invisible to everyone around me. None of my colleagues talk to me,
they give me my work and leave as fast as they can. I can't smell because I
bathe often. I'm a loser, a disgusting loser who looks like a wet rat than
should be shot down.

Compared to my two older brother I look nothing like them. They are tall
and lean, muscles that bulge in the right places, hair that refuses to look
messed up. Faces chiselled and strong. While I'm the fat ugly one who
sticks out like a sore thumb in all our family photos. Both are bachelors
who go through their women like fine wine. While I haven't even lost my
virginity yet. I am twenty-seven year old man who has never had sex before,
and to top that off I'm gay.

Gay men have standards and no self respecting gay male is going to have sex
with a hippo like me. The only choice I would have would be to sleep with a
hustler, and pay the twat fifty dollars for a blow job. I might be the best
programmer this company has ever had, but I get paid less then you would
imagine.

At least I don't live with my mother. Leaving Chicago and moving to Los
Angeles I bought a small apartment not far from the ocean. Large glass
panel windows, and a large master bedroom and bathroom. I have small guest
bedroom, and a large living room which is joined to my smaller kitchen. Not
the house I imagined but I love it none the less. It keeps me sane just
watching the ocean waves lap lazily against the sand banks.

My days are spent the same I come into work at eight fifteen sharp, not
owning a car I take the subway in. I take the seven thirty train. I come in
greet the door man who out of everyone knows my name. I smile at him and
make my way up to the fourth floor. At the sound of the bell I get off and
head to my office, unlocking the door I enter my room, place my briefcase
on my table open my blinds and look down at the awaking city. I boot my
computer, go to the staff coffee room, make some coffee pour myself a cup
and go back to my office. I sit in my leather chair and take a sip of my
coffee before I start tapping away.

Today was suppose to be the same as any other day, but I guess not. My
secretary Helen knocked on my door and told me our boss Mr. Johnson had
called a staff meeting with the highest ranks. Not that it was surprising
to be called for a staff meeting, Johnson was a lazy crap and tended to
send memos via email. Whatever it was it must be big. I save my work and
log off my computer, grabbing my jacket and button up and leave my office
and head over to Mr. Johnson's office.

I walk in and everyone is just sitting down, I quickly take my seat, and
watch everyone do the same.

"Sorry for the disturbance folk, but this is important. I've been toying
with this idea for sometime now, and I finally made my decision. I know it
is short notice but I've decided to retire."

To give you a recap on Johnson, he wasn't nearly old enough to retire only
aged forty five he was still the lean good looking man he was ten years
earlier. His business was only a success because luckily he hired the right
people to make him the money. He must have made enough to retire then.

"Now I'll be more of a silent partner, but all the main things will go to
Joshua. Everyone meet Joshua Johnson, my nephew."

This is the part were the bellowing winds and sounds of hallelujahs start
singing because one word for this man...

Stunning.

He looked the same age as me, maybe a year older. Decked on in an all black
Armani suit, how I knew because the letter were on his black collar. His
head held a thick head of chestnut coloured hair. His eyes shone a bright
blue. His mouth was full and pink, his skin was tanned just like of an
Italian stud. I looked around the room and I could see every man and
women's eyes gouge out. It was funny if I wasn't so mesmerized in his
beauty.

"I promise no one is getting fired. Unless you aren't doing you're job
properly. I'm just taking on my uncle's role now. I'll be having personal
interviews with everyone. That will help me to get to know you and likewise
me. So I'll set up appointments with you're secretaries, for now you may
all go back to your jobs."

Everyone stood up bid their welcomes and left the room. I quickly made my
way back to my office and shut my door. I sat heavily onto my couch. Again
another reason why I'll never be able to get a man like that.