Heard It on the Grapevine

“Love Token” is set in one of the great country houses of England at the time of the First World War. The servants below stairs are getting ready for a house party for thirty guests. Inevitably, the old social set-up disintegrates under the pressures of the war. It is also a love story.
“Kaffee Klatsch” (gossip in English) is about two elderly women, friends for fifty years. Both women fall in love with the same man which puts their relationship under considerable strain. Jealousy rears its ugly head. However, their friendship survives the crisis and when it is finally over the two old dears are ready to make the same mistake all over again.
“Lavender” is a love story set in an old-age home. What the eighty-year-old love-birds don’t appreciate is that their romance is seen by their children as a threat to the status quo, especially the possibility of losing their inheritance.
The story “Dear Olivia” is told through a series of e-mails between Cathy and her friend and confidant Olivia. Her friend warns her, but she does not want to listen.
The setting of “Lemon Juice” is a press conference where a film star is presenting her new range of beauty products to the public. Meanwhile, a member of the audience plans to take revenge on her. The conventional saying is: “when life gives you a lemon…. make lemonade”. However, in this story, the woman seeking revenge forces the film star to drink pure, concentrated lemon juice.
“Writers’ Block” is a story of a writer facing a dry creative patch as she approaches the end of her career. When she discovers a novice writer with talent, she decides to steal the young woman’s work and to do this she needs to murder her.
In the story “Revenge is Sour”, one member of the family is beautiful and the other is plain. Which one do think is the jealous one?
The next four stories are set in different countries. Divorce Italian Style is about one set of rules for men and a different set of rules for women. Divorce in America is all about greedy lawyers. Divorce British Style is about the class system. Divorce in Ireland depends on what you find at the end of the rainbow.
“One Up” is a game between husband and wife. Why not turn divorce into a game? It’s much more fun that way.
The story “Heard it on the Grapevine” is a portrait of a sociopath manager. Perhaps, you have run across him during your career. Recognise him and avoid him at all costs. The writer proposes that the higher the level in a company, the greater the proportion of sociopaths. These people are viewed as “gurus’, “visionaries” and “dynamic”. Don’t be fooled. They are enormously destructive.
“Rules of the Game” are the unwritten rules of the corporate world. Uncle Al takes it upon himself to teach his nephew the rules. His nephew views him as old and cynical whereas Uncle Al views him as young and naïve. The reader is left to judge for herself which point of view is correct.
“The Corporate Smile” is dripping with sarcasm. Learn how to get to the top by smiling rather than by working hard. In the corporate world, smiling is a WMD (weapon of mass deceit).
“The Max principle” is a story about the mentality of entitlement, or how people justify doing bad things.
Say “hello” to a team of demotivated subordinates in: “Why Should I?” These people believe that the company owes them a living.
In “Lambe to the Slaughter” pity Frank Lambe the project manager, running around in circles trying to satisfy every boss and his dog. Call in the consultants! Sack the consultants! Call in new consultants! Frank isn’t coping.
Are you a “Team Player”? Are you prepared to cheat, lie and do illegal things for your company. Top management will protect you. You have nothing to lose, except perhaps your reputation.
“Chairman of the Board” is a farce. Communication sessions by top management are never like this.
“What About Me?” is humorous story of a young man trying to be popular with all the women at the office. Popularity, he discovers, comes at a price.