Mason, dressed in a sharp navy suit, stands at the head of the table. His brow furrows as he glances at the presentation slides projected on the wall. The air is thick with anticipation and the faint hum of the city below.
"Thank you all for coming," Mason begins, his voice steady despite the pressure. "As you know, our latest product has the potential to revolutionize the industry."
Mason pauses, his eyes scanning the room, gauging the reactions. A bead of sweat trickles down his temple, unnoticed. Outside, a bird flutters past the window, momentarily drawing attention away from the presentation.
"We believe this investment will yield significant returns within the next quarter," he asserts, trying to inject confidence into his pitch.
"What's the meaning of this?" Mason exclaims, his composure slipping as the guards flank him.
Without warning, one of the guards reaches out and begins to tickle Mason under his arms. The other joins in, their faces strangely impassive as if following a peculiar protocol.
Mason's laughter is infectious, and soon, the investors are chuckling, some even breaking into full laughter themselves. The absurdity of the situation breaks the ice in an unexpected way.
"I guess... we all needed a laugh," Mason manages between breaths, wiping tears from his eyes.
The investors, now more at ease, begin to discuss the proposal with renewed interest. Old rivalries seem forgotten, and new alliances start to take shape as they engage in a more open dialogue.
"Perhaps this is the start of a new chapter for us," one of the investors muses, nodding at Mason with newfound respect.
Mason stands at the door, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. The unexpected turn of events seems to have shifted the odds in his favor, and he feels a surge of optimism for the future.
"Thank you all," he says, smiling genuinely. "I look forward to our next meeting."
As the last investor departs, Mason reflects on the day's events, wondering if perhaps laughter truly is the best catalyst for change.
