I quit at 9:04. By noon my new boss congratulated me on the acquisition — owned by Adrian Vale.

At 9:04 I put my resignation on Adrian Vale's desk and told him I'd signed with Kestrel.

He didn't shout. He read the letter twice, folded it in half, and asked if I wanted coffee.

At 11:52 Kestrel's CEO called to congratulate me on the acquisition.

At 11:53 I walked back into Adrian's office without knocking. He was at the window, tie loose, back to me.

"Ask me why," he said.

I asked.

He turned around — and on his desk, next to my empty chair, was a contract with my name on it and a start date of tomorrow.