Kendall clarke was looking forward to the most exciting night of her life.
Only thirty one years old, she would be the youngest recipient of the prestigious Sharpened Pencil Award for being chosen Actuary of the Year.
For the hundredth time, she tracked across the carpet of her hotel room in Charlotte, North Carolina, to practice the acceptance speech she'd give tonight at the closing banquet of the actuarial association dinner. She wanted to come across as humbled to be receiving this great honor, but also proud of the work done by her company.
"Ladies and gentleman, colleagues, friends." She paused as she'd been taught in the public speaking refresher course she'd taken the second she learned she'd be making this speech.
Breathe, she reminded herself.
Look out at the audience. Smile. "Trust is the cornerstone of our business," she informed the blue upholstered chair in the corner of the room. She put an emphasis on
trust. Such a nice, stron ...
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